Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning U

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

undermined

(1) A condition that occurs when the bedding support under a pipe or manhole has been removed or washed away. Conditions leading to or causing this are believed to be the presence of excess water during backfill. Other causes are horizontal boring operations, excavations adjacent to the pipe or manhole, and exfiltration or infiltration at drop joints. (2) When flow through a broken section of pipe carries away soil around the break leaving a void or empty space, the surfaces over the void are said to be undermined.