Groundwater Flow Groundwater Flow Problems Problems

in in Colorado SpringsColorado Springs

(… or, it’s why they call it “the (… or, it’s why they call it “the Springs”)Springs”)

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

► Background on Groundwater Background on Groundwater UnderdrainsUnderdrains

► Problems – Underdrain System FailuresProblems – Underdrain System Failures► Proposed SolutionProposed Solution► Underdrains vs. Sump Pumps?Underdrains vs. Sump Pumps?► Implications of Proposed SolutionImplications of Proposed Solution► Conclusion & RecommendationsConclusion & Recommendations

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Groundwater Underdrains – Technical Team

City Engr HBA CSUCam McNair Bobby Ingels Brent SchubloomSteve Kuehster Bob Branson Charlie

MorganBrian Huth Marla Novak Mike WeberTom Repp Marc Whorton Peter Bond

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Groundwater ConveyanceGroundwater Conveyance

►Groundwater can be conveyed through Groundwater can be conveyed through an underground pipe network called an underground pipe network called an “Underdrain” system.an “Underdrain” system.

►Protects foundations and basements Protects foundations and basements from flooding.from flooding.

►Used in Colorado Springs since the Used in Colorado Springs since the 1960’s – 1970’s.1960’s – 1970’s.

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Background – What are Background – What are Underdrains?Underdrains?

UNDERDRAIN

SANITARY SEWER

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What are the issues?What are the issues?

►Underdrain failures can cause public Underdrain failures can cause public health problemshealth problems

►No claims to Ownership No claims to Ownership ►Liability to Fund Repairs Liability to Fund Repairs ► Inadequate Standards for installationInadequate Standards for installation►No MaintenanceNo Maintenance

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Recent Underdrain FailuresRecent Underdrain Failures

► 6400 block, Summer Grace Street6400 block, Summer Grace Street► 1300 block, West Costilla Street1300 block, West Costilla Street► Phil Long Expo CenterPhil Long Expo Center► 2500 block, Integrity Court2500 block, Integrity Court► 6800 block, Grand Prairie Drive6800 block, Grand Prairie Drive► etc.etc.

Costs to repair average $10K - $50K eachCosts to repair average $10K - $50K each

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Underdrain FailuresUnderdrain FailuresSTORMWATER OUTFALL INTO SAND CREEK

CRAWL SPACE

CRAWL SPACE

BASEMENT

SANITARY MAIN

SUMP PIT OUTFALLS

PLUGGED UNDERDRAIN MAIN

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What are the Solutions?What are the Solutions?► Proposal = Partnership among HBA, CSU and Proposal = Partnership among HBA, CSU and

City EngineeringCity Engineering

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ProposalProposal► City Takes OwnershipCity Takes Ownership of Underdrain Main lines serving of Underdrain Main lines serving

single-family residential homes and nonresidential that opt in single-family residential homes and nonresidential that opt in to connect to public UD mains to connect to public UD mains

► HBA - As representatives of the building industry, has agreed HBA - As representatives of the building industry, has agreed that developers & builders are willing to pay reasonable that developers & builders are willing to pay reasonable fees/costs for a long term solution to the UD problem. fees/costs for a long term solution to the UD problem.

► CSU - reviews designs, inspects installations, and makes CSU - reviews designs, inspects installations, and makes repairs when necessaryrepairs when necessary

► SWENT - manages funds, maps systems, coordinates CSU SWENT - manages funds, maps systems, coordinates CSU repairs, coordinates with State (CDPHE)repairs, coordinates with State (CDPHE)

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What would the City Own?What would the City Own?1212

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What would the City Own?What would the City Own?1313

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What will it cost?ALL ARE ONE TIME FEES

►Developer- CSU plan review and inspection fee= $23 per SF Residential lot (≤ triplex). $92 per Non-Residential lot (with GU main). CCTV inspections on T&M basis.

►Builder - City Underdrain maintenance fee= $60 per SF building permit. Non-Residential plus the mandatory State permit:

(if connected) < 2 acres $ 602-5 acres $1205-10 acres $180> 10 acres $300

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What about What about basement/crawlspace Sump basement/crawlspace Sump

Pumps?Pumps?

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Sump PumpsSump Pumps

►Ground water Ground water volumes can be so volumes can be so over-whelming such over-whelming such that a pump cannot that a pump cannot keep up with the keep up with the groundwater groundwater infiltrationinfiltration

► Resulting in floodingResulting in flooding

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Sump PumpsSump Pumps► Groundwater Underdrain Groundwater Underdrain feesfees are intended to be are intended to be

used to repair and maintain Underdrain systems only.used to repair and maintain Underdrain systems only.► NotNot for sump pumps or discharges from sump for sump pumps or discharges from sump

pumps.pumps.► Groundwater Underdrains cannot be retrofitted in Groundwater Underdrains cannot be retrofitted in

areas that were not originally built with them – cost areas that were not originally built with them – cost prohibitive.prohibitive.

► City Street Division uses “French Drains” (shallower City Street Division uses “French Drains” (shallower collection systems) for sump pump discharge collection systems) for sump pump discharge problems.problems.

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Implications with Implementing Implications with Implementing the Proposalthe Proposal

► FinancialFinancial

► Liability/RiskLiability/Risk

►Null AlternativeNull Alternative

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Conclusions & Conclusions & RecommendationsRecommendations

City/CSU/HBA – PARTNERSHIP RECOMMENDS:City/CSU/HBA – PARTNERSHIP RECOMMENDS:► City Takes OwnershipCity Takes Ownership►DEVELOPERS and BUILDERS agree to pay DEVELOPERS and BUILDERS agree to pay

reasonable fees to CSU and City (SWENT)reasonable fees to CSU and City (SWENT)► SWENT manages the money and the SWENT manages the money and the

overall programoverall program► CSU performs duties of plan reviewer, CSU performs duties of plan reviewer,

inspector, and repair contractorinspector, and repair contractor

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For More Information:For More Information:

►Details available on Details available on web -web - Technical StandardsTechnical Standards City Code ChangesCity Code Changes FeesFees Rate CaseRate Case

www.SpringsGov.com/www.SpringsGov.com/

GroundwaterUnderdrainsGroundwaterUnderdrains

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QuestionsQuestions2222