There is nothing quite like the smell of oil-soaked soil on a hot summer day. This was the final cleanup of a World War 2 era oil and fuel tank farm. The project involved removing the tank bottoms, piping, and dirty soil. As this is located next to the bay, ground water levels are high. Because so much of the oil and fuel had drained to the groundwater table, we also had to build a large, deep containment wall to keep the floating oil in place during the tidal displacements so that we could slowly suck it up and dispose of it.
February 28, 2020
February 27, 2020
Failed Secondary Containment
Maybe this failed secondary containment is a new BMP…self-draining, never needs maintenance.
February 26, 2020
Construction Entrance Fail
Another construction entrance fail. Vehicles drive through the Soaker tire wash, over some rock, then over dirt and sand, defeating the purpose of the tire wash. This exit from the tire wash needs to be rock or asphalt to the street. Disclaimer: I do not promote any products or suppliers.
February 25, 2020
Construction Erosion Inspection-Turbid Discharge
My construction erosion inspection turned up a turbid discharge. A little bit of sediment track out each day builds up. The contractor was vacuum sweeping this area on a regular basis but the first rain shows how effective that was. I measured this discharge at 6000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs) using an old Hach 2100P turbidimeter. This meter only reads up to 1000 NTUs, so I had to dilute the sample 3 times to determine the actual reading.
February 24, 2020
Clean Up and Restoration of Lora Lake
I took this after the clean up and restoration of Lora Lake. The lake wasn’t a lake but a water-filled hole created from peat mining. Contaminated stormwater runoff impacted the bottom sediments.
February 21, 2020
Sediment Track out-I’ve had Enough
Another day, another random drive by construction erosion inspection. This sediment track out is an ongoing issue and remains unresolved and i’ve had enough. I issued a Non-Conformance Report stating that the construction entrance/exit will remain closed permanently unless a solution is found and implemented.
February 20, 2020
Just a Little Trackout
Just a little trackout over time becomes a water quality non-compliance issue.
February 19, 2020
Hand-applied Bonded Fiber Matrix
Hand-applied bonded fiber matrix isn’t the most effective method of application.
February 18, 2020
Gravel Borrow
Funny thing, when wet, gravel borrow is like quick sand. When dry and compacted to 95%, it is hard as a rock and will not infiltrate water.
February 17, 2020
Sad Fence
I found this sad fence alongside Highway 89 in Kanab, Utah. The fabric is cheap plastic, it has been in the sun for several years, and I can poke my finger through it.