Explanatory note on the link chain between surface-water level change and building damage risk

Surface water level (SWL) change relative to the land, whether it occurs intentionally (water management, construction) or unintentionally (mining-induced subsidence) can pose a risk of damage to buildings. This document presents a concise overview of the cause-effect link chain between SWL change and building damage. Effects of both lowering and rise of SWLs are elaborated. Existing guidelines for quantitative assessment of the chain links are reviewed and three knowledge gaps that contribute most to uncertainty in the assessment of building damage (risk) due to SWL change are identified. The relationship of SWL-change damage with damage due to shallow-sourced subsidence is explained.