Wet Weather Spring

[PascoInvestments]

Hello,
Can anyone give me any information on 'Wet Weather Springs'? I am managing an apartment complex for an investment company, and the complex is suffering greatly from a hillside that stays continuously wet right now, and in the past. The water drain off is constant, not drying up and is affecting apartment building that are situated immediately below the hill. I contacted the city as the contractors that have came out keep stating that there has to be a main water break on that hill, but the city insists they have no breaks. The water is continuously coming from somewhere however.

I spoke with a lady today that mentioned the complex area used to be farming land (cattle) and was used for such because of the "Wet Water Springs" on the land that fed the ponds. I had never heard of such a thing and she could not explain it, just said she had heard of this spring on the property. The investment company has mentioned calling out an engineer to investigate where the water is coming from, and so I am seeking any information on this topic so that I can relay it to them. Missouri is known for its springs, but I have never heard of a "Wet Water Spring", and would appreciate any info anyone can give, what it is, how it operates, and if there are any fixes for such a thing.

Thanks,
Kris

 

[PascoInvestments]

Excuse the error of calling it "Wet water spring", I meant "Wet Weather Spring".

 

[cvg]

flow rate in most springs varies from season to season. In your case, it only flows during an extremely wet season when the water table rises. This is not uncommon in arid areas where most springs only flow during wet season.


One way to verify if it is a watermain leak is to take a sample to a lab and have it analyzed and then compared to the city water sample (from your tap). It should be easy enough to determine if it is city water.

 

[PascoInvestments]

I am told that a 'Wet Weather Spring' is different then a typical Missouri spring though, that there is no specific flow spot, that it is a seeping up through a vast area of ground. What I have been told is that this kind of spring is more like an artesian well situation, but one that does dry up during mid summer drought time. I am sure this is what is going on, and not a main pipe break as the city has insisted. We are just wondering what the remedy would be for this kind of situation. We will probably have to call in a engineer.

 

[cvg]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_water

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Hire a local company to collect a sample of the water and have it tested by an analitical laboratory. Most likely they will test for Floride since it does not generally occur naturally.

If it is a spring, then a geotechnical company will be able to design a system to collect/control the water to reduce the impact it is having on your property.

 

[PascoInvestments]

Thanks to both of you for responding.

 

[civilperson]

An easy cure for the water flow is to build an interception ditch, (French drain), along the perimeter of the site you want to protect. Drain it to daylight if there is enough fall or install a pump and irrigate the local ditch bottoms.