This is a steel plate construction access that we built across a live stormwater swale. We have installed compost socks along the edge to keep construction runoff out of the swale.
September 21, 2020
September 17, 2020
Compost Sock Catch Basin Berm
This compost sock catch basin berm works well as it is heavy enough to stick to the asphalt. Note the tear and I would keep an eye on it during inspections.
September 16, 2020
30 mil PVC
Catch Basin Covered with 30 mil PVC – This catch basin in a live storm system sits right in the middle of an actively worked area. Plugging the discharge pipe wasn’t possible due to depth and access of the manhole. The solution is placing heavy 30 mil PVC liner material under the grate then telling all of the workers that they are not to poke holes in it when the area floods from rain.
September 7, 2020
Trash Bag Catch Basin Cover
In an emergency, a heavy duty trash bag can provide catch basin protection until a more permanent BMP is installed.
September 3, 2020
Source of the Foam-Dewatering
The contractor has to dewater to dig an excavation for an electrical duct bank-the water table is high. The soil is mildly contaminated so all of the water has to be treated in a Chitosan-enhanced Sand Filtration (CESF) system with granular activated carbon (GAC) before discharge to the waterway. The contractor set the well points, hooked them up to the pump but not the CESF system. So, water went directly onto the ground from the pump and into the nearest catch basin. The foam is from the silt in the soil that has been aerated by the pump.
September 2, 2020
Why is There Foam Around the Catch Basin?
Why is there foam around the catch basin? I will give the answer tomorrow.
August 3, 2020
More Infiltration
Here is a good example of using infiltration to manage excess, relatively clean, stormwater during construction. When water builds up around the covered catch basin, it flows into the area to the right and infiltrates, preventing flooding.
Closeup of double plastic layers under catch basin grate and infiltration area.
July 31, 2020
Catch Basin Covered-Infiltration
This is the first project we have cut asphalt to allow construction stormwater to infiltrate. The area is paved, flat. The sweeper runs constantly but the water is still too turbid to go down the drain. The fill soil under the asphalt is sandy. If we just covered the catch basin with 30 Mil PVC, the area would just flood, then drain to another catch basin. Solution? Cut out a section of asphalt full depth to the sandy soil, fill with 3 to 5 inch rock. This way the water infiltrates but vehicles can drive over the hole. This is working really well so we will be doing this on future container dock upgrade projects.
July 30, 2020
Compost Sock Maintenance
In order to contain dirty runoff, Compost sock maintenance is critical. Replace the sock or repair the tear with plastic or netting. Place safety cones or candles around the catch basin.
June 30, 2020
Sand Bag Berm Around Catch Basin
You can’t get a good seal with a sand bag berm. Dirty water down the drain.