Local church discovers cause of recent flooding

Update 11/18 – Church officials: Cause of flooding determined to be faulty installation by SoCal Associates

According to a Facebook post by Christ Lutheran Church:

“We have been advised that the cause of our recent flood at Christ Lutheran Church was faulty installation of our waste water line by SoCal Associates, inc. And the faulty inspection by the county of Riverside building inspectors. We have been advised that to repair the 100′ of faulty waste water line it will cost us over 30-thousand dollars due to the fact a plumber has to sawcut through 8″ of cement to dig below the affected waste water line and re-compact the soil. Our insurance carrier has advised us since most of the line is still intact they will not cover the repair. This leaves us in a position of suffering another major flood in the future. Christ Lutheran Church has set up a go fund me account and we are asking the public to please donate whatever you can afford to help our small church with these repairs and continue God’s work in Desert Hot Springs. You can donate at gofundme.com/clcflood if you would like a tax deductible receipt you can mail a check to Christ Lutheran Church, PO Box 669, Desert Hot Springs, Ca 92240-0669 Attn: Flood . We will be happy to send you a receipt for your donation.”

UPDATE: 11/06 3:13 p.m.

Staff at the church have set up a GoFundMe account to raise money to pay for expenses related to flood damage.

Staff members said they hope to raise $7,500.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 11/03 6:41 p.m.

Water soaked the floor of Christ Lutheran Church in Desert Hot Springs Thursday morning due to flooding that occurred inside. Church members notified Riverside County fire crews after they noticed about two inches of standing water in the entrance area of the church.

Dave Nunn, the business manager of the church, said there were no outside leaks so the only way for water to come into the church was underground.

“At this point, the only thing we can figure is that the water did come up through the bathroom and kitchen drains in the floor,” he said.

The cost of repairs won’t come cheap though. Nunn estimated the damages from the flooding would cost at least $10,000 to $15,000. It’s a lot of money for a church that Nunn said did not have a big income.

“We’ve got a $2 million debt on this property and so the finances are very difficult with this church at the present time,” he said.

One saving grace was that the sanctuary at the church was not touched by the flooding, leaving the possibility service could still happen.

“We will determine whether we can hold services Sunday or whether will have to postpone services until this is done, Nunn said.”

Anyone wanting to donate to the church can contact them on their website here.