Erosion Education

Sinkholes can form for a variety of natural and manmade reasons, including:

• Underground erosion from water movement washing away soil.
• Decaying organic material, such as old tree stumps or root balls, which may take years to fully decompose and leave voids in the soil.
• Damaged or aging infrastructure, like broken water, sewer, or stormwater pipes/infrastructure.
• Extreme weather cycles - like drought followed by heavy rains or freeze-thaw patterns—that cause the ground to shift or collapse.

Safety comes first:

• Stay away from the area - do not walk or drive over it.
• Mark the area if possible, to alert others.
• Report it right away:
  • If it’s on public property (roads, sidewalks, rights-of-way), call 311 or report it online at lafayettela.gov/311.
  • If it’s on private property, contact a licensed contractor or structural engineer for assessment

*If the area is an immediate threat to public safety, please dial 911.

Lafayette Consolidated Government may be responsible when:

• The sinkhole is located on public property (streets, sidewalks, drainage areas).
• It is caused by a failing public utility such as a sewer, stormwater, or water line.
• It results from a known issue within the city/parish’s infrastructure system.

Once reported:

• An inspector will assess/secure the site and determine the cause.
• If tied to public infrastructure, LCG crews will schedule repairs based on severity and public safety risk.
• Residents can track repair requests or follow up by calling 311.

If the sinkhole is not related to public infrastructure:

• Property owners are responsible for investigation and repair.
• Common causes on private land include old septic systems, irrigation leaks, or decomposing tree roots.
• Residents should consult a private contractor with experience in geotechnical or structural evaluations.