Pumping Stormwater???
Pumping Stormwater???
(OP)
Hello,
I'm a land development engineer and I was wondering if anyone had any advice/ideas about a site I may be working on.
The site is in a small city and I'm not exactly certain of the size at this point (my info at this point is very limited). The site is currently farmland and it sits several feet below the adjacent highway. I don't think that there is any drainage path for this parcel of farmland. All rain that falls on the site must either infiltrate or evaporate since the site is basically a large basin.
The developer has an adjacent site that sits above grade where he could get most of his fill material, however, it's been determined that the required amount of fill is about 1,000,000 cu yd.
Considering that staggering amount of earthwork, I am trying to think outside of the box on this one. Would it be feasible to develop the site without filling it and try to pump the stormwater somehow? I have no experience with pumping stormwater and my initial thoughts are that it wouldn't be feasible, however, if it is feasible in the slightest then I would like to investigate it further to avoid the earthwork.
Sorry I don't have more information at this point. The developer is related to me and just mentioned something. I'm just going on memory and I don't have much information. I would guess that the site is probably 40-80 acres. The site generally lies 6-10' below the adjacent highway and developments. Also, I'm not exactly certain where the stormwater could be pumped.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Peace,
Stoddardvilla
I'm a land development engineer and I was wondering if anyone had any advice/ideas about a site I may be working on.
The site is in a small city and I'm not exactly certain of the size at this point (my info at this point is very limited). The site is currently farmland and it sits several feet below the adjacent highway. I don't think that there is any drainage path for this parcel of farmland. All rain that falls on the site must either infiltrate or evaporate since the site is basically a large basin.
The developer has an adjacent site that sits above grade where he could get most of his fill material, however, it's been determined that the required amount of fill is about 1,000,000 cu yd.
Considering that staggering amount of earthwork, I am trying to think outside of the box on this one. Would it be feasible to develop the site without filling it and try to pump the stormwater somehow? I have no experience with pumping stormwater and my initial thoughts are that it wouldn't be feasible, however, if it is feasible in the slightest then I would like to investigate it further to avoid the earthwork.
Sorry I don't have more information at this point. The developer is related to me and just mentioned something. I'm just going on memory and I don't have much information. I would guess that the site is probably 40-80 acres. The site generally lies 6-10' below the adjacent highway and developments. Also, I'm not exactly certain where the stormwater could be pumped.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Peace,
Stoddardvilla





RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
In KC metro area we have an allowable release rate of 1.3 cfs/developed acre in some municipalities.
This job is in rural Iowa though in a small city/large town. I don't think the city engineer there has much experience.
I guess without more details there's really no way to determine if it would be more cost effective than the earthwork. Operation and Maintenance of the pumps would be a continuing cost, but I don't really have an idea what O&M costs for a couple of pumps would be per year.
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
The pumps are expensive, around $20k each, just for the pumps. Then there are controls, a wet well, bringing 3-phase power in, emergency power generator, etc. You can take a SWAG at your power consumption by figuring the HP needed to move X amount of water against a head of H feet, and figure 60-70% efficiency of the pump & motor.
Hope this helps.
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
I do various municipal engineering duties, and I would never recommend approval of this plan - and since it is a stormwater issue, the Planning Commission wouldn't if I didn't - unless there were an iron-clad O&M Agreement signed, notarized and Recorded as a Deed Restriction. The signer(s) would have to be on the hook for perpetual O&M of the pumping system. The implications to the market value of the developed lot may (or may not) be more restrictive than the first costs of design and installation.
I'd map that out with the client, while (not after) discussing the first costs.
Women and cats will do as they please; men and dogs should just learn to live with that - Steve
RE: Pumping Stormwater???
I've spoken with the developer and he told me that the city has already informed him that he will have to fill the site. They would NOT approve it otherwise, so, Iha you hit the nail on the head.
The site is 118 acres and it's going to require roughly 1,000,000 cu. yd. to fil. It's really a horrible site, however, the developer also owns a large parcel of land across the street where he can get much of his fill. I'm not sure on the exact quantities he'll be able to pull because I don't have that site topo'd. The town may allow us to run graders right across the street and not even bother with hauling the fill across the street. The town is pretty excited about this development because they're getting a casino nearby and this will be great commercial land right out on the edge of town.
Thanks for all of your help.
Peace,
Stoddard
RE: Pumping Stormwater???