Sanitary and stormwater cave-ins can be caused by small openings or holes in a pipe.  Most commonly, they are caused when pipes separate at the joints thus causing small openings or holes in the pipe.  Over time the dirt surrounding the pipe infiltrates into the pipe.  This causes voids around the outside of the pipe.  Eventually the void will extend to the surface of the ground resulting in a hole at the surface.  This is sometimes referred to as the hour glass effect.  Much like an hour glass, the sand or dirt filters through a small hole and eventually empties the sand or dirt above the hole resulting in a cave-in.

To report a cave-in, please call MSD's Customer Service Department at 502-587-0603.  The cave-in will be referred to MSD's Maintenance Department to have the area barricaded until an extensive investigation can be performed.