With incidents of flooding increasing in recent years, BHC Consultants has provided Washington State with a diverse range of services to help in responding to and preparing for Stormwater issues. These services include: 

BHC Consultants evaluated drainage problems and developed design solutions for several sites as part of the City of Seattle’s Spot Drainage Program under three separate on-call contracts. BHC performed field investigations, researched existing facilities and city records, and conducted drainage area hydraulic assignments to develop comprehensive and cost-effective solutions. Concurrent work assignments required strong coordination among staff and project stakeholders, detailed scheduling, and focused communication among the project team members. BHC worked side-by-side with SPU staff to develop standard procedures and a simplified design philosophy for projects undertaken. This process resulted in simplified drainage design and accelerated construction, which reduced project costs.

BHC assisted the City of Bellevue with identifying and evaluating current and emerging technologies for treating TPH in runoff for high traffic intersections. The work included identifying available technologies, developing a decision making matrix that compared the technologies to the parameters of pollutants removed, removal effectiveness, flow range treated, size and space constraints for installation, capital and O&M costs, ease of O&M, and power requirements. From this matrix, the best treatment technology for site specific needs was selected. Permitting issues associated with wetlands and endangered species issues were also addressed to develop a mutual understanding of these constraints on technology selection. The second phase of the project included the preparation of plans and specifications permit applications, rights-of-way or easement descriptions, and necessary bid documents. 

 

 

BHC was responsible for the design of a storm drain pump station with submersible pumps to replace a temporary one built by the City of Benicia.  The new pump station will be built over an existing 66-inch storm drain, which was cut out to receive the new cast-in-place concrete structure. A 1,200-foot length of 6-inch force main in a city street will convey low flows from the pumps, while higher flows will be discharged by gravity through twin 48-inch pipelines.

 

 

Surface Water Quality Management Plan, City of Sultan, WA
BHC developed a plan that will assist and guide the City in controlling drainage, protecting water quality and stream resources, and complying with current stormwater management standards. The plan includes a description of the drainage system, stream resources, and water quality; as well as development of a water quality monitoring plan and a computer model of the drainage system and related stormwater basins. The project further identified goals and measures for improving the drainage system, protecting water quality and riparian habitat, and financing selected improvement projects.