About the author:
Winner profiles were compiled by SWS Managing Editor Katie Johns and Associate Editor Cristina Tuser. Johns can be reached at [email protected] and Tuser can be reached at [email protected].
Katie Johns & Cristina Tuser
undefinedLocation: Vallejo, California
Cost: $3,678,811.82
Size: N/A
Owner: Vallejo Flood & Wastewater District
Managers: Mark Tomk & George Gourgui
Designer: BKF Engineers
Contractor: KJWoods Construction Inc.
Manufacturer: StormTrap
With an overall goal of cleaning trash and debris from its storm water system before water enters the Napa River and San Pablo Bay, the city of Vallejo, California, set out to find the best strategy to reach its goal.
While eliminating trash in the system, the Vallejo Flood & Wastewater District (VFWD), the project owner, also wanted to achieve the trash reduction requirements included in the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, NPDES Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit, Section C.10.
The VFWD worked with multiple parties to bring the project to fruition. In the design phase, the group worked together to select the strategy for trash removal, type of trash removal device and locations of where to install the chosen devices.
When they reached the construction phase, the group had to work with the supplier, StormTrap, in fabricating and delivering the large trash capture devices. During construction, the team held weekly meetings to identify and address any problems that arose. The team had to identify three areas around the city where storm water exits to the bay. Once those spots were selected, the contractor surveyed the site for plan accuracy, accessibility and constructability. Additionally, the sites required deep excavation, sheet piles for shoring and dewatering, placing and pumping concrete and the use of heavy equipment to lower the precast concrete housing and devices.
The devices at Solano Avenue and Sonoma Boulevard were installed before the last rainy season and performed well, according to project engineers. The third trash capture device was installed after rainy season but is anticipated to perform well too.
Overall, the team is most proud of the environmental and aesthetic impact the devices will have on removing trash before it reaches the Napa River and San Pablo Bay.
