Trammell Crow Contractors Still Pumping Silty Stormwater into Street
The persistent after-hours pumping of silty stormwater from the Trammell Crow construction site into the street drains has been reported to Harris County Engineering for several months now. Despite warnings, the practice continues. The danger: accumulated silt in drain pipes and the river can reduce their conveyance, back water up in heavy rains, and lead to flooding.
One small development won’t be catastrophic. But the cumulative impact of hundreds could be.
For all those reasons, construction permits come with instructions to use things that retain and filter silty water such as berms, sediment basins and semi-permeable fencing.
Repeat Offender
In January 2024, contractors began clearing Phase II of an apartment complex on West Lake Houston Parkway without any of these safeguards. Because the complex lies just outside the City limits, Harris County Engineering is responsible for inspections.
They have visited the site numerous times and cautioned contractors about discharges of silty stormwater. At different times, the contractors installed silt fences and erected berms. They also built sediment basins and channeled excess stormwater to them.
On April 10th, the area received approximately 2 inches of rain. And yesterday, April 11, the contractors were pumping water back into the street THROUGH A PILE OF MUD. After quitting time. When inspectors wouldn’t be around. Again!!!
Caught on Camera
Michelle Chavez, a nearby resident, caught the action on camera.
Chavez also took several still photos.
At least one local resident concerned about flooding reported the pumping to Harris County Engineering. He was told that Engineering would send an inspector out.
Sending Wrong Message: Will Sixth Time be the Charm?
This is the sixth story I have posted about stormwater-control issues at this construction site. See the previous five.
- 1/14/24 Developer Clearing Land without Normal Safeguards
- 1/29/24 Developer on WLHP Cited for Stormwater Violations
- 1/31/24 After Quitting Time, Contractor Pumps Silty Stormwater into Street
- 2/3/24 WLHP Developer Still Flooding Neighborhood
- 2/22/24 Trammell Crow Contractor Pumped Silty Stormwater into Street…Again
One wonders when the county will level a stiff fine or shut down this site. At this point the Harris County Engineering Department also has its reputation on the line. Tolerating such behavior sends a message to other developers that may be unsafe in the long run.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/12/24
2418 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
