Geysers erupting in St. Louis
St. Louis has been experiencing something unusual: 'geysers' in some of its streets.
St. Louis's Metropolitan Sewer District has stated the problem of so called geysers in the streets is a result of a combination of heavy rain and unusually high water in the Mississippi River. Together, the two create pressure that forces water in underground pipes upwards, where it erupts onto the city streets.
Most of the water has appeared at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Cherokee Street, leading people to label the phenomenon as the 'Cherokee Geyser'. The sewer district is trying to fix the problem, and has welded down some of the sewer grates in this attempt. District representatives weren't sure if the eruption was deliberate, designed to relieve water pressure, or whether there is a flaw in the design of the pipes.
Although the reasons for the geysers aren't clear, it is obvious they are causing serious flooding, which in turn is creating problems for area merchants. Several stores have had their basements flooded.
Although the largest geyser is at Cherokee and Texas, another blew the manhole cover off at Botanical and Thurman Avenues, which illustrates another problem: extreme water pressure has the ability to injure people and cause property damage.
City officials could work with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents explaining the problem and advising alternate routes to help them avoid flooded streets.
St. Louis's Metropolitan Sewer District has stated the problem of so called geysers in the streets is a result of a combination of heavy rain and unusually high water in the Mississippi River. Together, the two create pressure that forces water in underground pipes upwards, where it erupts onto the city streets.
Most of the water has appeared at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Cherokee Street, leading people to label the phenomenon as the 'Cherokee Geyser'. The sewer district is trying to fix the problem, and has welded down some of the sewer grates in this attempt. District representatives weren't sure if the eruption was deliberate, designed to relieve water pressure, or whether there is a flaw in the design of the pipes.
Although the reasons for the geysers aren't clear, it is obvious they are causing serious flooding, which in turn is creating problems for area merchants. Several stores have had their basements flooded.
Although the largest geyser is at Cherokee and Texas, another blew the manhole cover off at Botanical and Thurman Avenues, which illustrates another problem: extreme water pressure has the ability to injure people and cause property damage.
City officials could work with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents explaining the problem and advising alternate routes to help them avoid flooded streets.