Archive for April, 2007

Living in the past

April 27, 2007

I spent last year traveling the entire United States (doing workshops on environmentally sensitive “Low Impact Development” stormwater management design), so I think I have some idea of the state of stormwater management in this country. I understand that some regions are ahead of others, when it comes to protecting the environment.

But when I hear about folks that are “outraged” by being fined for having no erosion and sediment control – and stating that it is “only dirt and mud”- I am simply amazed.

Latest one I’ve seen in Tennessee: http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=

Some comments on the situation here: http://www.knoxviews.com/node/4400

Maybe it’s my perspective – living in an area where we’ve had sediment control for nearly 30 years….. but I find the ignorance and gall of these folks to be rather despicable. If a developer can not understand and respect the fact that having tons of sediment running into streams is a bad thing…. then they should find another business to get into – that does not involve changing the surface of the planet.

In this writer’s opinion, such a developer is not qualified to do business that disturbs the land – it is 2007 – NOT 1967. Wake up.

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com

Serious Storm Drain Surcharge

April 27, 2007

Underground SWM – WITHOUT Inspection and Maintenance

April 12, 2007

So when an underground CMP Pipe SWM facility sits unattended for ten – fifteen? – twenty? years or so, it may be no problem. On the other hand, it can turn into a nightmare. Following is an un-named facility we (Stormwater Maintenance, LLC) are currently working on.

Photo 1 – looking down into the control structure ( a weir wall on the right holding back 6′ of standing water, a 6″ orifice direct below with the nasty stains seeping out.

UG Control Structure - Clogged A quick look-over the weir wall and we see over six feet of standing water. Pretty creepy when standing behind the weir wall. The water completely fills over 400 linear feet of 72″ CMP.

Looking over weir wall

And a look at the clogged orifice…. which was not designed with a trash rack.

imgp0919.jpg

This thing was holding back over 6 feet of water.

So a little prodding (not much, mind you!), and she was ripping! We WERE scampering up the manhole ladder!

It took about 8 hours to dewater.
Opened Orifice

And the result – between 2 and 4 feet of trash and sediment along 400 LF of pipe:

Sediment filled pipe

Cost to jet and vac out is unknown as of this writing – but it well into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Moral of the story – an annual inspection would have prevented this!

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com

One cool wave

April 3, 2007

I’m not a surfer, but this is just too cool not to share -

Cool Wave

Links to us:  Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com