UPDATE: Protective measures in place to protect city aquifer, drinking water wells and stormwater conveyance system

Oil truck parked next to Station House Loft construction site

UPDATED:  A Council Study Session meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 7:30pm at City Hall during which staff will give a status update on the development of the City’s groundwater model, stakeholder engagement associated with the on-going review and assessment of the wellhead zone boundaries, and future policy discussion items. 

The meeting is open to the public or you can watch it on Comcast Channel  21, Frontier Channel 34, and streamed. Details HERE.

The following protective measures are in place to protect our aquifer, drinking water wells and stormwater conveyance system from potential impacts associated with temporary construction dewatering. 

* A temporary construction dewatering feasibility analysis is required for all projects that propose dewatering in excess of 500 gallons per minute.  The analysis includes a detailed review of possible geotechnical, stormwater, and water quality and quantity impacts. 

* A temporary construction dewatering plan is required for all projects that propose to include dewatering.   The plan includes a predictive analysis of possible impacts to the City’s drinking water supply wells and stormwater conveyance system.  The plan also includes a detailed dewatering system layout and groundwater monitoring plan.

* A spill prevention and response plan is required for all projects that proposed to include temporary construction dewatering.   If spills occur during construction, they are to be reported immediately to the construction inspector and all work stops until the spill is cleaned up.

* The City operates a groundwater monitoring well network of 94 wells that are used to monitor groundwater quality and quantity.  These wells are an early warning system to our supply wells.  In collaboration with development projects, continuous groundwater elevation data is collected in strategic groundwater monitoring wells during construction.  The city monitoring network is used to investigate potential impacts If concerns arise that have not been fully addressed through the permit and construction inspection process.

   -- Council member Angela Birney

Photo by Bob Yoder, with minor edits