Every rainy day at Rio, one thing is for certain: the courtyard in front of the cafeteria is guaranteed to become an impassable small lake.
The flooding occurs because roots of a giant camphor tree in the center of the courtyard are causing significant damage to underground pipes.
According to district maintenance personnel, a single large root has completely blocked one of the main pipes, leading to persistent flooding in the area during heavy rains.
The maintenance personnel, who asked not to be named, explained that while removing the root might seem like a solution, the work is difficult and it would only be a temporary fix.
“If we remove it, the pipes will immediately become full of roots again,” he said.
The root intrusion has already caused extensive damage, meaning the pipes are in need of replacement.
The issue has led to major disruptions for students, affecting both safety and convenience.
The flooding in the quad, which reaches about 1-3 inches, makes it difficult to navigate the area, particularly during rainy weather, causing that section of the quad to be taped off in order to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
The district maintenance team acknowledged the urgency of the problem but could not provide a definitive timeline for repairs.
“We don’t know when it will be fixed, but sooner is better than later because this can cause lots of other unwanted issues,” the maintenance staff said.
Beyond student inconvenience, there are also environmental concerns.
The damaged pipes could lead to further erosion and instability in the quad. And damaging the towering camphor tree could affect the surrounding wildlife.
As the district evaluates solutions, students and staff must continue navigating the flooded quad.
