Underground drainage systems are used in areas with slow soil drainage, such as agricultural fields and paved areas. Excess water can harm plants and damage pavement. Drainage systems use pipes or channels to remove water from the field or road, and are designed to work with the contours of the land. Road drainage systems have layers that allow water to drain away, including a permeable base layer and a filter layer.
Underground drainage systems are commonly used in areas where the soil does not drain quickly on its own. Many agricultural fields require such systems to prevent crop flooding and allow work to continue. Highways and other paved areas often require subsurface drainage as well, in order to remove water that can accumulate below the surface after heavy rains.
Although plants require water to grow, they can be adversely affected when the soil stays moist for too long. This is because plant roots require oxygen, and waterlogged soil cannot hold as much air. Some types of farmland, especially those rich in clay, can hold water for several days. An underground drainage system that removes excess water from a field within a day or two of a major storm can help provide plants with adequate water and oxygen.
An agricultural drainage system is usually composed of open pipes or channels that carry excess water from the field to a drain or natural water course, such as a stream. Pipes placed under the ground surface have small holes in the walls that allow ground water to seep in and be carried away from the field. Drainage systems in agriculture are usually designed to work with the contours of the field, so that gravity pulls water away from areas that could be flooded. Systems can be designed to cover an entire field or to only drain water from problem areas.
On the surface, highways and sidewalks appear to dry quickly after a rain shower, but in reality, these materials can absorb a fair amount of water. Too much moisture in flooring can lead to defects, such as large cracks or potholes. Pavement sealants can be used to prevent water from being absorbed by the surface of a road, but moisture can also seep into the sidewalks from the moist soil underneath, a problem that subsoil drainage can alleviate.
Typically, there are a few layers under the asphalt or pavement that form a road’s underground drainage system. Directly under the asphalt is a permeable base layer, consisting of a granular material that allows water to drain away. Beneath this is a filter layer, which is often made from a geotextile, a type of fabric designed for use in soil. This filter prevents soil particles from clogging the base layer. Road drainage systems may also have edgedrains, or small pipes in the edge of the paved area that allow water to drain away from the surface.
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