Louisville Adds Water Pumping Stations in Preparation for Heavy Rain

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District says four water pumping stations will be placed around the county this week.“The grounds really haven’t had a chance to dry out and they can’t soak up any rain fall. And once November comes the rain starts moving in its more regular it’s a heavier amount and it’s a chain effect,” said Bud Schardein, MSD executive director.Pumping stations aren’t usually activated this early in the flood-season, which began Nov. 1 and continues through May. During that period the Army Corps of Engineers updates MSD on flood possibilities. If the engineers say floods are likely, that forces a response.Over the next few days heavy rain in the east will cause the Ohio River to rise as water flows westward. But in Louisville, crews are prepared to work overtime beginning Thursday, said Schardein.“The flood pumping plants serve the purpose of moving inland water over into the Ohio River without the benefit of gravity. And if it rains on the city during that period then they provide public safety,” he said.Schardein cautions against using the river during pumping, due to the county’s combined storm and waste water.Las year, pumping stations ran nearly six weeks, costing MSD around $500,000, he said.