The dire need for better drainage

As rain pelted campus well into the late hours of Tuesday night, it served as a grim reminder of the incredible force of a hurricane, even one as far away as Jeanne. Unfortunately, it was also a reminder that Penn's drainage system needs serious improvement. While this week's storm is an extreme case, drainage problems are far too common, even during the lightest of rainstorms.

For the residents of the Quad who were forced to leave their rooms, being put up at the Sheraton for an undetermined period of time is little consolation for the personal belongings and electronics that were damaged or destroyed. We recognize that the level of rain that hit campus on Tuesday was much higher than average, but it was certainly not unprecedented. It is not too much to ask to keep raw sewage from literally rising up through the floor.

One need not be an expert to come to the conclusion that work should be done to improve flood control. Even the most casual observer outside on Tuesday night could see large standing bodies of water all across campus, especially around the 38th Street bridge. It was almost impossible to avoid the water when entering and exiting the high rises. Non-residential buildings such as McNeil experienced flooding as well.

This is not simply a case of keeping students happy. While we do not yet know the extent of the damage that flooding did to campus buildings, now that we know they are vulnerable, it is only logical to try and improve protection before the next such event. It may be costly, but the effects of another such storm in terms of potential damage could have an even greater cost.

Contrary to what some may believe, the University cannot control the weather. They can, however, repair and maintain the campus drainage system so that, the next time Philadelphia receives such a deluge, Penn's campus will be better equipped to handle the large volume of water.

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