Underground plumbing is failing at Golden Corral restaurant in Warsaw, which has prompted its abrupt but temporary closing. (Photos by John Faulkner)

Bad soil is behind plumbing problems that have resulted in the temporary closing of Golden Corral in Warsaw.

Kosciusko County Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver told StaceyPageOnline.com that he had no choice but to close the buffet style restaurant Thursday afternoon for wastewater problems. “I can’t have people eat where sewage was seeping in the ground beneath their feet,” said Weaver. “It’s a complicated fix, though. It’s bad ground. ”

Although contractors put in large pylons to prevent the building from sinking, Weaver said, “It’s a difficult place to build. It was a swamp and they have trouble with things sinking, pipes breaking in the ground below the building.”

“They’ve had a few problems in the past, but yesterday water was collecting in the street (Capital Drive),” he added. After water testing, high levels of bacteria were found, which led to the realization that “the pipes under the building are sinking and being pulling away from the connections.”

Although wastewater is considered “sewage,” Weaver noted the problem is with the main pipe under the floor and in the ground that leaves the kitchen area of the restaurant. “It’s under the flooring and sewage and grease oozes from the building and collects in the side yard.”

He explained, however, that the bathroom plumbing is working fine and that the wastewater is collecting under the foundation and not inside the restaurant. Where it collects outside, however, does leave a foul odor.

When nearby Bob Evans was first being built in Warsaw, contractors quickly learned the building was sinking. Weaver said the original building had to be razed and additional supports had to be in place before construction could begin again. “There’s no danger (of Golden Corral) sinking,” he said, “but the plumbing in the ground is sinking and that has to be fixed before they can re-open.”