UPDATED, 4/16/18: The challenge and need for "dewatering" downtown construction sites

Station House Lofts -- This "deep-dig" sits over and in our aquifer 

Completion of the above "Station House Lofts" is expected in early 2018.  According to the project Superintendent, it will be a 6-stories with 197 apartments and two levels of underground parking.  The construction site is across the street from the Redmond United Methodist Church on 16533 NE 80th St. will be "box-like" with no visual transition into the neighborhood.  The tall grey building in the background is the Old Redmond Firehouse Teen Center.  

To help scale the size of the dig, look for the workers...those orange and yellow specks. (Click on the photo to see the influence of the camera angle on size.)  

The city aquifer is a few yards from the surface so the site has to be "dewatered" and sealed off.  Notice the white water pump pipe in the foreground.  Six inch diameter water pipes also surround the site but can't be seen in this picture. 

Owing to extreme rains this winter there's copious aquifer water that must be pumped out.  The pumping is actually lowers the water table of our city wells. Construction aquifer water is tested every two weeks for oil and lubricants before it's dumped into the stormwater system. Many downtown developments need dewatering.

Public Works is concerned about the disruption aquifer water flow from parking lot digs. andd wrote a new ordinance to protect the aquifer during development; and to bill those developers who excessively drain the aquifer and our wells.

In a few places around the city, the aquifer can be as close as 3 feet from the surface. According to the Superintendent it's my understanding they had to dig 2-3 feet into the alluvial aquifer in places. 

B. Yoder
Photo, Yoder

Since publishing this post and alerting the City Ombuds. a new policy was instituted requiring some future developers to build their parking above grade, rather than subterranean.  Building height could increase up to 2 levels as a result.    

This is an excellent article explaining  the process and challenges of dewatering construction sites.

This is an archive of all my aquifer and groundwater posts over the years.   .

Demolition of the Claim Jumper at RTC is underway

At a recent Council meeting, CM John Stilin said the demolition of Claim Jumper was underway.  It will be replaced by the "Archer Hote.l"  Mr. Stilin said it will be one of only four "boutique hotels" of its kind in the nation.  The hotel will be 7-stories, with parking on the first floor.  Parking can't be underground owing to the aquifer.   
Is it remotely  possible this event is the genesis of Redmond Town Center gentrification?  

Archer Hotel

Address: 7210 - 164th Ave NE
Project Type and Number: Site Plan Entitlement-LAND-2015-01974
Click on "Critical Areas" for a complete description.

Vicinity Map; Notice of Application; Process Flow Chart

Initial Submittal
Site Plan
Tree Preservation Plan
​
Additional Project Notices SEPA-2016-00779, Critical Areas, Cultural, Geotechnical, Traffic

UPDATED: $886,780 approved for removal of peat soils from the Downtown Park

City council awarded a bid to Santana Trucking & Excavating, Inc.,in the amount of $886,780.82 for the removal of Downtown Park peat soils. Removal is scheduled for August -- get ready for a mess. 1,000 truckloads will be removed. Another 1000 replaced.

One Friend thought why not build underground parking, rather than fill up the hole? The aquifer?  Another couldn't understand how heavy buildings once stood on this site but park grass can't.  Many want to know where all that peat is going; the city has been silent.  By chance are they sifting it for artifacts?  

Bob Yoder 

City of Redmond's assessment is our water continues to be safe

Tacoma residents express concern about lead in their drinking water, Fox News

Redmond, WA - In light of recent concerns over lead in regional drinking water, Redmond’s assessment is that our water continues to be safe to drink. Residents receive water from Seattle and through our aquifer supply wells. Recent tests have shown the City drinking water meets standards set by the EPA and the Department of Health.

“We are proud of the high-quality water provided to Redmond residents,” said Mayor John Marchione. “We regularly test our water to ensure it not only meets but exceeds standards set for safe drinking water.”

Since 1983, the City has treated our well water to minimize corrosion of lead and other. The City has participated in lead and copper sampling, collected at a resident’s tap, since 1992. This City’s water quality has successfully met or exceeded the drinking water standards since that time. We perform testing annually; the most recent sampling event was conducted in June of 2015.

Recent concerns regarding lead, in other cities, are related primarily to water service lines containing lead components installed before 1945. The City has been proactively evaluating the potential for any concerns related to higher than normal lead levels in its service areas due to the City of Tacoma’s recent discovery of this issue in homes built between 1900 and 1945 using galvanized pipes. Redmond’s water system serves very few homes built before 1945. However, the City is planning to review and perform additional samplings for any areas of the system with components in service and that are older than 1945. The City does not have any lead pipe “goosenecks” like those identified by the City of Tacoma as the likely source of increased lead levels.

Developer plans to build two, 9-Story Towers on the old Post Office site

I found out on social media today that two, 9-Story Towers are planned for the old Post Office site on 16135 NE 85th Street. You can contact city planner Gary Lee for the specifics of this project at glee@redmond.gov and to make comment about parking, traffic, the aquifer, etc.

According to the Public Lane-Use Notice:  The applicant, "Redmond Projects" plans to construct 250 dwelling units, 25,000 sq ft of retail space and 83,000 sq ft of office space on a 2.29 acre site.  No Public Hearing is required but you can Comment to the Administration by calling Gary Lee (425-556-2418) or emailing him.  The City is only accepting Comments until January 27th.

Gary Lee writes:  "Construction is anticipated to begin between the 4th quarter of 2016 and the 1st quarter of 2017.  If things go as planned the first tower will be completed in the Spring of 2018."

As for parking, Gary Lee writes:  "There should be sufficient parking (with 362 stalls). Because the office use and residential uses have opposite peak hours, they can realistically share a lot of the parking stalls (and it's close to the transit center.)"

Personally, I was blind-sided to learn the City zones for 9-Story High Rises in the Downtown. I had earlier been informed only 6-story buildings were allowed.  When was the zoning changed?  Why wasn't the public notified of this change?  Will the boutique hotel planned for Redmond Town Center be higher than 6 stories?

What part, if any, does One Redmond play in this?  Why can't they give the community timely development updates?

Bob Yoder

Footnote:  
This project (and others) are buried in the City Web Site "Design Review Board Agenda".  There is presently an opening on the Design Review Board for a "Redmond resident".

One Redmond Facebook page

LETTER: Protecting Redmond's Streams and Groundwater Supply

PROTECTING REDMOND'S STREAMS AND GROUNDWATER SUPPLY

Over the years, I have tried to participate in Redmond's planning and development

process by commenting on projects, especially those that affect the environment.  I have

been concerned about water quality issues that affect our local streams and our

underground aquifer.  The city of Redmond has 5 wells that have a 1.8 BILLION gallon

annual water right. Two wells are located at Anderson Park. One is near Redmond City

Hall. Another is along Avondale Road and the most productive, Well No. 5, is on the

corner between Target and Home Depot.

In 2003, I participated in the writing and adoption of the Wellhead Protection

Ordinance that was meant to keep our drinking water supply clean and safe from

contamination. I attended meetings, made comments on the proposed ordinance and

testified at the public hearing. The Wellhead Protection Ordinance prohibited the storage

of hazardous material and fluids near wells.

I was shocked in 2009 when I read that Costco would be building a warehouse on

the old Redmond Delta gravel pit along 188th Avenue NE south of Union Hill Road and

that it would have a HUGE gas station.  READ MORE >>

City of Redmond signs Purchase and Sale Agreement for Keller Farm

A member from Water Tenders sent me a copy of a Purchase and Sale Agreement that was signed on August 5, 2014 between the City and the Kellers of Redmond.  "Closing shall be on or before 1/22/2015."  In the agreement the City agreed to buy 83.25 acres of the Keller Farm located between Avondale Rd NE and NE Union Hill Rd.  The Kellers will retain a 78,503 square foot parcel and house located at 18816 NE 84th Street.  The City agreed to pay the Kellers $2,520,000 for the Farm  ($30,000 per acre). 

The Keller Farm is a crucial piece of wetland-agricultural land important to the ecology of our Redmond area.  The farm will be used as a "wetland bank" for off-site mitigation of wetlands lost to development within Redmond.  As wetlands are destroyed by development in the City the developers must purchase rights to replace these wetlands on the Keller Farm so that there will be "no net loss" of wetlands owing to development.  Wetlands are an important natural resource for Redmond since they help to recharge and purify the City aquifer which is tapped for potable well-water. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

 

The Downtown Park public forum was time well spent

OPINION:   The City of Redmond held an Open Forum last night for the public and staff to hear presentations from five Downtown Park consultant candidates.  I and my wife listened to the first three consultants and Q&A which lasted two hours.  About a third of the audience appeared to be filled with staff and consultants.  Extra seats had to be brought into City Hall. 

All presentations were professional and helpful but the last consultant called "Land Morphology" appeared to be the most engaging and enthusiastic about Redmond and dug the deepest for "who we are."  They seemed to have a good grasp of  the surrounding downtown parks, Heron Rookery, our aquifer, and the rich cultures within Redmond.  They handed out small models of the park showing two sheltered structures comparing this idea to the Chihuly Museum by the Space Needle.  Having a well lit, warm place to gather seems important in our climate.  Art and Culture is destined to be a big part of the Downtown Park...and probably rain gardens.  History was brought up a lot, too and Land Morphology once included an archeological dig in one of their parks.  You never know what could turn up during the development of the park considering the Indian artifacts found around Lower Bear Creek.

All three consultants had to deal with questions about dogs and pets.  I don't think any of them recommended a dog running area.  Public process and wonkish diagrams were emphasized by the last two consultants -- I'm sure much to the happiness of the attending staff.  Though public process can be boring at times it tries to capture the broader public and design the framework for launching the park.  We got to critique each consultant with "scorecards." 

I wish now I had stayed to listen to the last two consultants, but two hours was plenty for me and you can go to www.redmond.gov to watch all five presentations.   If you attended, the Mayor put on a good show with food before-hand and some fascinating art-musician-dancers performing during breaks for the cameras and audience. 

Bob Yoder   

Some facts and news on Redmond's water resources

UPDATED:  Redmond is known for it's green forest and stream buffers, trails and multi-faceted parks.  Of course it takes water and lots of it to keep our fair city green.   Jon Spangler, a resident of Redmond and 22 year city employee who manages the Department of Resources is expert on all things water in Redmond.   During his presentation to Council on "Water Resources Strategic Plan" some noteworthy facts and stories surfaced, as follows:  

Redmond's wells suck out 800 million gallons from the ground per year to supply 35-40% of Redmond's drinking water.  It rains 11 billion gallons of water/year in Redmond.  (The Mayor couldn't believe it but Jon proved his number on 42 inches/year of rain on 16 square miles.)  So even with rapid development a lot of rain should enter into the ground.  Jon said keeping the base flows in streams is important so they don't dry up in the summer.  The city's stormwater system is impressive with 220 miles of stormwater pipes, 100 major ponds and over 50 miles of small streams.  All of the treated stormwater eventually drains into ponds or Bear, Evans and Kelsey Creek and the Sammamish River. 

Our well water keeps the price of water low though the infrastructure costs are relatively high.  Cascade Water Alliance would supply Redmond with water piped in from the White River but demand for this water is falling and it's likely the Tolt River and our wells will provide for us adequately for quite some time. 

Jon said, some of our ground water is contaminated with hazardous waste from surface infiltration but Mr. Spangler said, "though it's at very low levels and it's not a risk to anybody's health but it's something we want to keep an eye on so it doesn't become a problem."  The city is working with select industries and commercial interests to mitigate the contamination.

Councilmember Hank Meyers asked about the ALL WOOD Recycling fire and the tons of water dumped on the fire which is an infiltration site for our groundwater.  The water ran into the creek and into the groundwater.  Spangler estimated 1900 fish were killed in Evans Creek from the fire foam that was used.  Spangler said, "I don't believe there's an imminent threat to the groundwater but we plan to do some indicator sampling over the next 6 months."  Aquifer monitoring wells are not in the immediate infiltration site of the fire. 

Reported By Bob Yoder

City of Redmond making progress with industries to keep drinking water clean, ratepayers pick up most of the tab

UPDATED:  A significant amount of our city drinking water comes from five or six wellheads that tap into a shallow aquifer.  This aquifer is at risk of contamination (from stormwater and hazardous run-off) and the city has been working with an advisory group of Redmond industries and commercial companies to implement aquifer safeguards.

Last night, Council listened to Planning Director Rob Odle and Department of Natural Resources Manager Jon Spangler discuss progress with these industries as related to the "Wellhead Protection Implementation Program."  City water rate-payers will share the cost of design and construction of the improvements with the all the parties (industries and commercial businesses) involved.  The Plan is scheduled for Council approval in August.

The greater the threat, the more the city will reimburse them. For Category One High Priority parties, costs will be reimbursed 75% if their improvement project is completed within 2.5 years and 50% if reimbursed within 2.5-3 years.  Category Two Lower Priority parties, costs will be reimbursed 60% if completed within 4 years.  All city water rate-payers will pay the cost for these reimbursements regardless of whether their drinking water comes from the aquifer.  Establishing a mediation process is the last remaining issue before the new program starts on October 1, 2013.  Costs of the program were not discussed.  Negotiations have been going on for around two years. 

Spangler said the city tests 130 aquifer monitoring wells every six months for contaminants.  Regarding value of the aquifer, Spangler said "the city saves over $1.5 million/year over buying water from Seattle."  And, "If we lost our aquifer to contamination it's a $51 million buy-in to Cascade Water Alliance for that quantity of water."  Spangler said, "the city has already spent $28 million to upgrade our wells which now have a useful life of 50 years."

Spangler concluded:  "Based on activities in the city and projected densities and the shallowness of the aquifer and industrial activities, the risk is high if we do nothing. Some older systems direct stormwater from parking lots directly into the groundwater.  Hopefully, we'll have an aquifer that's clean and healthy for a decade to come and will save the city millions in keeping that safe." 

Reported by Bob Yoder
Source:  7/23 City Council Study Session

UPDATED: Downtown Construction Build-Out Achieves 50% of 2030 Downtown Density Goal

UPDATED, October 9, 3:28 PM:  According to Mayor John Marchione's density plans at the September 26 "Downtown Construction projects" town meeting, the city has already achieved 50% of their Downtown density goals set for 2030.  This includes 711 dwelling units currently under construction (see table below) and existing newer residential apartments like RED 160, Cleveland, and Veloce. 

According to data listed in the Urban Center Element of the Comprehensive Plan link, the 2030  target  for dwelling units in the downtown is 6,170.  2300 units are on record as built as of 2010.  So 2300 + 711 units = 3011 in 2012 for at least a 50% density.

In the town meeting, Mayor Marchione confused some members of the viewing public saying  "We're planning to be an urban community that's going to be over 2200 units."  He went onto say "There will be $330 million in private investments in building out this vision including 200+ affordable housing units" to achieve a variety of incomes and choices.

With Overlake residential redevelopment getting off to a slow start - and "One Redmond" in hibernation -  it's possible the private sector will build more aggressively downtown.  In fact, an Evergreen Health Hospital official said their parcel west of Redmond Medical Center is slated for apartments rather than another clinic.

One of the drawbacks in building downtown is coping with the high water table when installing underground parking.  The downtown is built over the city aquifer and wellhead protection zone and according to City Planner Gary Lee constrains underground parking.   Lee says the city requires 1.25 parking places for every residential unit which puts a pinch on parking for the downtown.

Despite emerging traffic, parking and pedestrian crosswalk issues from Redmond's rapid downtown residential growth, the Mayor was happy with downtown progress, saying "to have any cranes now in this economic environment is remarkable; to have two cranes and a third one here in 30 days show people want to come here and want to live here and the demand is high.."   According to statistics presented by Steve Bailey, Dir. of Finance in an earlier meeting there are three jobs in Redmond for every living unit. 

Councilmember Emeritus President Richard Cole said before his retirement he felt the City over-committed to taking additional density.  The Mayor said plans and decisions to grow to 4-6 stories downtown were made in l997-1999, long before his time as Mayor. 

Below is a list of current residential downtown construction projects with their number of units totalling 713.   These projects don't include existing projects already built like Veloce (300 units), RED 160 (250 units), and the Cleveland Building, etc. 

85th Street Apartments	85th St. NE and 158th Ave. NE	148	includes 3,000 square feet of retail	under construction
Centerpointe Mixed Use	16345 Cleveland St.	134	6 stories; 212,556 square feet (includes retail)	under construction
Old Town Mixed Use	16175 Cleveland St.	149	6 stories; 205,390 square feet (includes retail)	under construction
Redmond Square Apartments	7977 170th Ave. NE	154	2 4-story buildings with a parking garage below	under construction
Stelvio	15815 Bear Creek Parkway	32	plans call for mixed-use space	approved but on hold due to economy
Vision 5	8525 163rd Court NE	96	8 units with 96 single-room occupants; 37,168 square feet	under construction

At the current pace of downtown construction it appears the city could significantly over-shoot their 2030 density target of 6170 dwelling units.

Opinion By Bob Yoder

City moves forward on plan to re-locate Evans Creek

Evans Creek headwaters are in East King County along the Old Red Brick Road.  The creek continues north and west through SE Redmond industries, past Keller Farm, before it's confluence with Bear Creek.   Bear Creek flows into the Sammamish River which flows into Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

On May 1, the Redmond city council approved land acquisitions to relocate Evans Creek north and east and away from SE Redmond industries. (See map).  If negotiations to purchase the property are unsuccessful the Council approved  use of eminent domain.

The benefits of re-locating Evans Creek are many.  Relocation: 1) improves habitat for wild salmon and wildlife, 2)  increases the land values and opportunity for redevelopment of industrial properties, 3) encourages clean-up of hazardous waste and further safeguards the city aquifer 4) improves flood water conveyence, 5) enhances Bear-Evans Creek Trail recreation with restored riparian habitat.

Evans Creek is an important and valuable stream in SE Redmond that's been heavily impacted by industrial development and permiting violations, as has "AWR."  Read More >>

UPDATED OPINION: Citizen claims actions by AWR industry are not environmentally insignificant

AWR Storm water pond  connects to Evans Creek. (2006)

My following public comment was submitted to the City, to protest approval of an environmental land use action on Redmond's polluting AWR industry

Public comments for or against this action (SEPA determination) are due to the city by 2/6/2012.  Send your Comment to city planner Kelsey Johnson  kjohnson@redmond.gov

 Dear City of Redmond,

I disagree with your determination that "All Wood Recycling" (AWR) proposal (L110009) is non-significant to our environment as referenced to the State Environmental Policy Act.   And, I ask you not  approve this environmental action favoring AWR  

Evans Creek banks enclosed
by impervious concrete
 paving. (click to enlarge)

This industrial proposal is environmentally significant owing to the location of AWR over our city aquifer. City staff publicly warned Council late last year that contaminates are leaking into the Redmond aquifer and threatening our valuable drinking water resource. AWR "recycles" hazardous waste-concrete, chemically treated wood products and other toxic materials, including sewage which remains un-piped and unconnected to the City.  Heavy machinery and trucks drip hydrolic fluids into the soils.  In some places the water aquifer is less than 6 feet from the surface so it's a short journey for their waste and toxins to enter our water supply.

Most of the ground surfaces in AWR are impervious owing to compacting of soils by vehicular use, clogged or removed stormwater pond systems, and paved roadway and work areas. Thus, most AWR stormwater is untreated, toxic and washes into Evans Creek, stressed creek banks (photo), underground streams and adjacent commercial sites.  AWR proposes one vault and one stormwater pond to treat the entire industrial site. At least two vaults are needed - one on both sides of the creek.


Evans Creek runs through AWR property, shown here 

 Evans Creek is a "Class One" stream of highest value and runs through the site. It's regulated by the Department of Ecology and the City as a "Shoreline of the State."  In 2008, Mayor Marchione proclaimed riparian corridors as" habitat of local importance."

Stormwater run-off carries untreated pollutants (photo) from AWR into the creek, harming Federally protected Chinook salmon and destroying their habitat. Sub-surface, underground streams connecting to Evans and Bear Creek were recognized by the Planning Commission during their Critical Areas Ordinance Update several years ago. Underground streams connecting to contaminated Evans Creek storm flows could spread toxins further into our aquifer before they can be treated by downstream facilities.

Toxic run-off can't percolate
 through impervious surfaces
and runs off untreated.  Heavy
equipment drips hydrolic fluids.

The City will incur certain liabilities should significant trending to aquifer contamination be traced to this AWR site and it's vicinity. Approving this "Determination of Non Significance" (DNS) is setting a precedent for further neglect in the SE Redmond industrial complex, besides AWR. By approving this DNS, the C.O.R. is placing itself at risk to lawsuit and most significantly, potential loss of a highly valuable and important municipal natural resource - potable water. 
Read More>>

LETTER: Area businesses fighting city stormwater regulations designed to protect drinking water

By chance, last Sunday, from 12 midnight to nearly 1 am on Ch 75, I watched the Nov 22 meeting of the City Council on the topic of "Stormwater Infiltration Assessments" - a topic I knew nothing about and had never heard of before.

It seems that city staff have become concerned about surface water leakage from our stormwater runoff system, into the groundwater aquifer layer where we get our drinking water. So they want to have mostly SE Redmond industrial businesses spend big bucks (through a new permitting process) to treat their stormwater runoff before it gets carried away into the runoff system.  According to business leaders, the overall cost could amount to $4-8 million

The affected businesses (known as "TAG") are fighting this and hired an outside expert to put forth a case arguing against a serious runoff pollution problem.

I found it quite interesting, and most of the councilmembers wanted to know more about potential dangers. They mostly struck me as smart, reasonable persons.

Today I learned of the existence of the Washington Stormwater Center (http://www.wastormwatercenter.org/  Evidently it was mandated last year by the state legislature.. A press release said that the Boeing Corp. very recently donated $85K to the Center, to help it aid small businesses in complying with new state stormwater permitting requirements.

I guess this stormwater runoff issue is a whole lot more serious and complicated than I thought!
 
By John Reinke
Education Hill, Redmond.

David Carson recommends "A Balanced and Predictable Shoreline Management Program"

DAVID CARSON CAMPAIGN ISSUE: 
A Balanced and Predictable Shoreline Management Program

David Carson writes:

"Any time new regulations are being considered, property owners have a right to be concerned about the impact to their property and its future value. When the council took up an update to the Shoreline Management Plan starting in 2008, a group of lakefront [Lake Sammamish] property owners were actively engaged to ensure that this plan did not discourage routine maintenance and wouldn't hinder revitalization of this neighborhood. This approach resulted in a plan* that is fair to property owners while protecting the natural habitats at the water’s edge."   -- David Carson's website

COMMENTARY:  The Shoreline Management Program applies to "Shorelines of the State," which for Redmond are:  1)  Bear Creek,  2) Evans Creek, 3)  Sammamish River, and 4) Lake Sammamish.  David Carson's campaign issue specifically addresses the Lake Sammamish shoreline and the City's plan* to manage view corridors, trees, open spaces, docks, building heights, and stormwater on the lake.

Significant impacts are occurring to Bear, Evans, and Sammamish River shorelines.   For example, the city has plans to buffer and alter Bear Creek further from SR 520.  And below, an aerial photo of the SE Evans Creek shows extensive industrial use has expanded on the shoreline banks.

In July of 2008, David Carson and I toured this site with Kathy Lambert and city staff, looking at industrial impacts to the shoreline and city aquifer.  Three years later, All Wood Recycling is still violating city code and is under review.  Is the Shoreline Management Plan for Evans Creek balanced and predictable?

 Evans Creek is flowing north and west (r-l) through All Wood Recycling, 2002
The site in SE Redmond is even more developed today.

By Bob Yoder
Photo Courtesy of City of Redmond
Source: Shoreline Substantial Development Permit.,
Kelsey Johnson, City Assist. Planner 

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens work like native forests by capturing and infiltrating stormwater from rooftops, driveways, and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens reduce flooding by absorbing water from impervious surfaces; filter oil, grease and toxic materials before they can pollute streams, lakes and bays; help to recharge the aquifer by increasing the quantity of water that soaks into the ground; provide beneficial wildlife habitat.

 A workshop will be held in Redmond on Februrary 25 and in Bothel on March 18.   Workshop participants will receive a rain garden handbook and other useful materials. They will also be invited to participate in several full scale rain garden installation workshops scheduled later in the spring and summer.

Workshops are free and registration is required. Participants will be sent site-assessment instructions in advance to help maximize their learning at the workshops. Contact Stacey Gianas at Stewardship Partners to register and for more details:

Call (206) 292-9875 or email sg@stewardshippartners.org  and visit http://www.stewardshippartners.org/  for times and locations of the Redmond, Bothel, Bellevue, and Mercer Island workshops

By Stacey Gianas
Programs Assistant
Stewardship Partners
(206) 292-9875
http://www.stewardshippartners.org/

Did you know the City of Redmond is planning Rain Gardens for the Overlake Neighborhood?   Look closely at the rain garden picture.  Do you see where a ditch or depression is?

Administration requests $226,220 to track groundwater recharge and potential influx of contaminants.

The Administration is requesting $226,220 for groundwater monitoring engineering services at their 10/20/09 City Council Meeting.   

UPDATED 10/21, City Council approved the funding for this project.  We (Administration) propose installing twelve additional groundwater monitoring wells and three "high pressure water monitors" at selected sites for use in conjunction with surveying and monitoring. The proposed monitoring facilities are designed to track the recharge of groundwater and the potential influx of contaminants into the Redmond alluvial aquifer.  We propose contracting for professional engineering services in an amount of $226,220 for the Groundwater Monitoring Network Project.

The objective is to obtain additional monitoring data that will lead to a better understanding of movement of groundwater and contaminants within the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) and understand the primary mechanisms by which groundwater in the City’s alluvial aquifer is recharged. Three principal recharge processes are recognized, as follows:

 Direct infiltration of surface water flows into Bear Creek, Evans Creek, Sammamish River.

 Stormwater infiltration from retention ponds, vaults, storm drains and other infiltration facilities throughout the City; and infiltration through previous surfaces (dirt, sand, beddings, grass, etc.)

 Upland runoff that percolates into the margins of the alluvial aquifer at the valley floor.

Documents and Maps of the critical recharge areas, proposed groundwater monitoring wells and pressure monitors and streams  : http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/20091020pdfs/AM09225.pdf

BACKGROUND
The City of Redmond operates five shallow groundwater supply wells that deliver between 3.5 and 5 million gallons of water per day, supplying approximately 40 percent of Redmond’s drinking water. These five wells, which draw from the shallow alluvial aquifer, are located in the heart of Redmond’s downtown and industrial areas, and are highly susceptible to contamination due to the local geology and proximity to potential pollution sources. In October 2003, the City Council adopted a wellhead protection ordinance to meet federal, state, and regional requirements for the protection of the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) and the City’s drinking water supply. An important requirement of the ordinance is the establishment of a city-wide groundwater monitoring program to detect the presence of contaminants and declines in water levels before they impact a water supply well.

Hazardous Materials Questionnaire and Aquifer Map.
Source:  Redmond City Council Consent Agenda, 10/20/09

posted by Bob Yoder

The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Mission Statement, Goals, Achievements

Friends and Guests,

 The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" brings transparency to the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Hospital District and other local jurisdictions, to encourage them to listen to their constituents and make positive changes; the Blog helps Greater Redmond citizens to be seen and heard in their neighborhoods and come together to find solutions. Your comments and stories are welcome."

I’ve lived in Redmond 30 years.  I publish the Redmond Neighborhood Blog because I am passionate about where live and I love being active in my community and local government.  The Blog is my avocation.  My goal is that someday the Redmond Neighborhood Blog will be a thriving nonprofit, skilled at connecting and engaging Greater Redmond local governments with our communities. Recognition and Advocacy are central to this Blog.

At the core of my reporting, is scrutiny and daylighting the local governing bodies of  Greater Redmond.  Transparency is a disinfectant.  I've expanded my City of Redmond coverage to include Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Public Hospital District and the local King County Library branch.  The School District has three times as many active voters as the City and represents great potential for additional readership and positive changes.

Alternative neighborhood news, opinion, comment, and  posts contributed by citizens and business engages and connects citizens with our communities and  local jurisdictions.    The Blog strives to be nonpartisan and independent.  Presently, every candidate running for office in the City, School Board, and Public Health District #2 knows about the Blog.

In 2005, preservation of  priority Urban Open Space and the cultural habitat of Perrigo Woodlands and Hartman Wetlands drew me into community activism.  Discovery of hazardous waste on a shallow city aquifer in SE Redmond triggered the beginnings of this blog.  Land use review practices, Public Notice and developer-centric planning were early reports and are ongoing.  In 2008, I worked with the Water Tenders and other citizens to leverage our voice and empower City and regional officials   Our message was successfully targeted to State representatives.  We secured  $8M funding from the State to restore Bear Creek and mitigate SR520 flooding.

Reporting on city governance brings positive changes, as follows:

1. Independent, alternative neighborhood news and reader comments and contributions keeps government  in touch with our needs and each other. 
2. TRANSPARENCY:  Our electeds' work is more visible. Minutes and recordings of meetings are taken and with consistency.  Elected conduct more meetings outside of their Chambers and in neighborhoods.  Committees have more voice.  Electeds' and staff meetings are more visible, efficient and productive.  Senior administrators and CEO's listen and respond.
3. City of Redmond and other local jurisdictions are subjected to public scrutiny for positive change.
4. Land use review process, Public Notice, Public Records and access is improved.
5. Human resource problems are identified.
6. Access to governments' website resources are improved and more transparent.     
7. Commissions, Boards and Councils are energized and empowered.
8. Mistakes and unintended consequences during the planning process are minimized by community participation and more functional internal (staff) communications
9. Neighborhood and community Voice is leveraged and targeted to create positive change in Greater Redmond, the County and State.  

Local and state politicians listen and respond to the problems and opportunities uncovered by the Blog.   A key Goal is to encourage reader participation and contributions to the Blog with their Comment, Letters, Opinion, Tips, and stories.  Probably, the biggest soft spot in this blog is the Lone Wolf Syndrome of One Howling Voice.  Readers want a chorus of thought, opinion, comment and neighborhood news.  Your contributions get top priority over my entries!   Improving site functionality is another key Goal.   I'm open to ideas!
 
The Redmond Neighborhood Blog provides alternative news to traditional  reporting while remaining independent of commercial and government dogma.    I cherish, and pay for this freedom!   I hope you will take advantage of this resource and participate, with your stories, your news, your comments, insight and of course, your readership!

Sincerely,

Bob Yoder
Community Activist
Publisher and Editor
"Redmond Neighborhood Blog"

10019 169th AVE NE
Redmond, WA.  98052
425-802-2523 
redmondblog@gmail.com

9/27/09, revised 10/17/09

OPINION: Independence from my grinding Watch on groundwater quality.

UPDATED, 7/8 - OPINION: Five years ago, a friend and I came upon a hazardous waste site on Evans Creek. The waste was dumped on top of a shallow City wellhead aquifer. The discovery eventually led to a crack-down by 9 regulatory agencies to clean up the site. This experience led to the birth of this blog and my zealous reporting on City protections of our underground drinking water.

This being the eve of July 4th, I'm happy to shout freedom from my "city watch" over the safety of our drinking water aquifer. (I know the City is happy, too.) As of tomorrow, I will stop grinding my axe on the issue. Why now? It's simple. I've watched the Marchione Administration for two years cope with the challenges of protecting our groundwater aquifers and I'm confident we are in very good hands. THIS Administration has replaced the mad scrambles and PR campaigns of the past with a fresh transparency to the challenges and solutions of a more secure wellhead water.

The genuine, transparency exhibited by the Mayor and his staff, of late, was all I needed to claim my independence! Last Tuesday night four staff members (including a stormwater engineer and geologist) -- backed up by the confident DNR Manager and Public Works Director -- covered ALL the sensitive issues...and ones new to me.

The display of transparency was impressive and re-assuring. A few of the points made were, as follows:

• The City is fully vested in protecting our wells! For example, Well #5 supplies 1/3 of the city's drinking (well)water capacity. If Well #5 went down it would cost taxpayers $800,000 per year to replace the water and over $12 Million just to hook into a new pipe. Full protection of our groundwater is a good investment and worth every penny.
• 110 parcels have been identified as threats to untreated stormwater entering the aquifer. Landowner's stormwater fees will be lowered to help them with the expense of retrofitting of these systems, to treat stormwater before it infiltrates into the ground.
• Underground parking is becoming common in Downtown. Often permanent "de-watering" (removing water) is required since the Downtown sits over a very shallow aquifer. The City is on top of this. (no pun).
• Hazardous materials are methodically identified and secondary containment is enforced.
• This information was gathered from the last part of Council's taped June 30 Study Session, linked here: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC063009.wmv

Do you have any comments on this? Thanks to Mayor Marchione and his staff for a very difficult job being well done! I can rest in peace. Free at last!

The cost of good water quality & what we can do.

Two water tanks adjacent Horace Mann El. were repainted inside and out, retrofitted for safety and seismically upgraded for a total cost of $2.8 million.

OPINION: There is no question, the City is investing heavily into our water supply infrastructure, water quality assurance and water conservation programs. Did you know that residents east of Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River get all their water from the ground?

• The City has spent millions of dollars retrofitting wellheads to improve treatment and safety standards. ~$11.5 million was recently spent by the City just to upgrade the two wellheads at Anderson Park. Expensive land had to be purchased to save Anderson Park during the wellhead upgrades.
  
• The City plans to build a Regional Stormwater Treatment Center in SE Redmond to treat industrial stormwater before it infiltrates into the shallow aquifer (underground lake). A $40 million regional treatment plant is already underway for the downtown. Overlake Regional Facilty is next. Treating dirty stormwater is expensive, as you see on your utility bill, but the regional systems will reduce costs over time.
  
• Redmond is a member city of the Cascade Water Alliance. Growing eastside cities would eventually run out of drinking water without a new water source. The Alliance is raising millions of dollars to build a pipeline from the Mt. Ranier watershed to the Eastside. **Emmons glacier on Mt. Ranier is receding but plans are proceeding. Lake Tapps has been secured to store the glacial mountain water before it's piped to the Eastside.

• Redmond spends a lot of money monitoring for spills and hazardous waste. The City has it's own geologist to oversee groundwater water quality and monitor the protection zones for our wells. Recently, a potential diesel spillage was discovered and quickly addressed with funding from Council for qualified inspection services.

Some great news came out of the the City Water Quality Report, Summer 2009. Did you see it? With all the talk about the safety of our groundwater supply it appears all is well - no pun intended. Did you read that four (4) fewer "compounds" were detected in our groundwater as compared to the Tolt River watershed that supplies residents west of the river? The city's investment in our groundwater supply definitively appears to be paying off.

One of the more significant contaminants now entering our water supply are pharmaceuticals. Councilmember Margeson brought this up at the last Council meeting and handed me the information. When pills and pharmaceuticals are flushed down the toilet or thrown in the garbage they NEVER get treated. And, we could be drinking them. Low levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking water have been found in 24 cities. Get this, pharmaceutical chemicals have been found in about 80% of our nation's urban streams. Please don't flush or trash 'em! Take your unused pills to a pharmacy for disposal. Group Health, Bartell and others participate.

It's estimated that over 120,000 gallons of water is saved per day by Redmond's Conservation Program. Don't forget to tap into the toilet and clothes washer rebates and check your outdoor faucets and hoses before you go on vacation! You can save a bundle. I learned the hard way.

** Read my '07 post on the receeding glaciers that are feeding the Cascade Alliance water pipeline.

Email your questions to Tom Fix, tfix@redmond.gov, City Water Quality Team.
Cascade Water Alliance informational video clip.
Cascade Water Alliance website.