Great video of an incredible storm drain surcharge:
http://www.vidvoting.com/xoops/modules/xstreamer/index.php?class=video&id=41
Links to us: Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com
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.
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.
And a look at the clogged orifice…. which was not designed with a trash rack.
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.
And the result – between 2 and 4 feet of trash and sediment along 400 LF of 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
I’m not a surfer, but this is just too cool not to share –
Links to us: Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com
CBF has opened registration for “Confluence 2007–Preparing for the Storm: Stormwater Solutions for Pennsylvania Communities,” to be held April 5 & 6. If you’re a PA engineer, consultant, developer, municipal official, conservation professional, or watershed stakeholder interested in finding out more about the benefits and challenges of good stormwater management, check out the details.
Links to us: Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com
Was on Principio Creek yesterday looking at some restoration work…a real sweet stream in Cecil County, Maryland that is still in great overall condition:
Cool arch under I-95:
Caught the skunk cabbage rising:
Links to us: Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com
Support The Green Building Institute and enter to win a trip for two people to Bluebeard’s Castle on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Go here for more info.
Links to us: Design | Software | Maintenance & Repairs | Construction | www.bioretention.com
Check it out at: http://greencitybaltimore.wordpress.com/
The House of Delegates has passed HB1220, which is a bill that opens the door for implementation of more sustainable and integrated stormwater management practices and levies a charge of 25 cents per square foot of impervious area on new development. The $ will go toward various restoration efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Lots of other stuff in it, an update will follow.
The Bill is now on to the Senate. Senate version here.
Those for it can contact their State Senator.
For those against it, we ask – If not this, then What???
Mainstream news here.
OK, this is not about stormwater management, per se…
BUT – it does illustrate the hazards that are associated with constructing earthen embankments. Quite simply – they have the potential to fail. And if they fail, the resulting breach wave has the potential to kill and destroy.
The larger the drainage area (fewer facilities), the larger the earthen embankment and greater risk.
The smaller the drainage area (more facilities…. which -surprise- must then be integrated into the site design), the smaller the embankments (if any) and less risk of failure.
Likewis, if an earthen embankment is not maintained appropriately, the risk of failure increases.
I have stood before a breaching embankment before. It is an incredible experience, as it is completely uncontrollable event. There is nothing anyone can do. At that time, when I was asked what to do, the best advise I could give was to run.
All that said, our hearts go out to the folks in Gaza as they deal with the incredible disaster before them….
The Clearinghouse: The Massachusetts Stormwater Technology Evaluation Project (MASTEP) has created a web site to host a source of verified technical information on stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to provide information on innovative technologies to BMP users.
Great for proprietary BMPs to prove pollutant removal capabilities.
Sustainable Stormwater Management 