IOWA — This year, there were wide changes in precipitation totals, from a large surplus of rainfall that saw an end to a nearly four-year-long drought to one of the driest falls on record.
This allowed for drought conditions to cover the vast majority of the state.
Drought impacts many facets of life, but a somewhat hidden burden is on water infrastructure.
Aside from reduced water flows, when soil moisture begins to fall it will start to shrink and compact. This is is also what causes distinctive cracks in the soil during dry spells.
But this leads to the ground shifting around, putting large amounts of pressure on underground pipes and causing them to break. This is similar to the process that causes potholes to form.
However, when dry soil conditions persist into the cold weather months, home water pipes are at risk due to deeper frost depths.
The dryer the ground the bigger the pore spaces are, which that pore space allows the frost, the cold, to go deeper down into the ground. It not only depends on the soil moisture, but also on the soil type. So, the clay generally holds more water. It usually freezes less easily than what a sandy material will,” Roy Hesemann, utilities director for the City of Cedar Rapids, said.
So, how much should you be worried this year?
When compared to the past few years, the area is a bit drier going into the winter season. However, it’s faring better than last winter.
The best way to protect waterlines is to do what you normally would do during the winter months, like turning off and disconnecting outdoor faucets and hoses, insulating indoor pipes especially in unheated areas, and letting water flow through your pipes slowly by running faucets farthest from the street continuously.
For more ideas on how to protect your pipes this winter, the City of Cedar Rapids has a list of tips.