Groundwater Flow Problems in Colorado Springs (… or, it’s why they call it “the Springs”) 1.

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