I have received a flood of complaints recently about a threat to public safety: the Comcast/Xfinity installation by Aspen Utilities now underway in Kingwood. Yesterday, I experienced the threat firsthand when an Aspen crew cut into a neighbor’s CenterPoint gas line. Ironically, the CenterPoint line had already been exposed and identified. Fire department and CenterPoint personnel were shocked and shaking their heads in disbelief.
Sadly, this was not an isolated instance. It raises questions about the competence of the installers and whether having a third internet provider in a crowded utility easement is a threat to public safety.
A Brutal Wake-Up Call
Yesterday morning, I heard a noise near my driveway. Upon investigation, I found two fire trucks, EMS and CenterPoint had sealed off my entire block (near Kingwood High School). Aspen had cut into a CenterPoint gas line. The scene looked like this.
Aspen truck in foreground. Emergency equipment stretched out for a block.HFD ran a hose to the gas-line break. Traffic in background was stopped then turned around.Contractors were standing well back from break on opposite side of street.Note more emergency equipment down the street.Hydro-excavation trucks like these locate and expose other utility lines so companies like Aspen can dig around them.
The crew of the hydro-excavation truck above had located the gas line and exposed it after digging a 20-foot trench in a neighbor’s yard. Regardless, the Aspen crew managed to cut the gas line anyway.
Fire/EMS crews responded in an abundance of caution even though no fires or injuries resulted from the incident.
The incident cut off traffic on Valley Manor for several hours. And while first responders were standing by here, they weren’t available to handle other emergencies elsewhere.
Houston EMS charges residents for call-outs. Are they charging Aspen?
Recurring Problem
If this were an isolated incident, I would be praising the first responders instead of condemning the apparent incompetence of Aspen. This isn’t the first time such an incident has happened in my neighborhood.
A CenterPoint employee told me that he often receives three to four such calls a day in Kingwood.
To me, that constitutes a threat to public safety. And raises some questions about the competence of Comcast contractors.
As an HOA board member, I’ve received dozens of complaints about Comcast/Aspen incidents and also heard from other HOA’s. Problems have included, but are not limited to:
Damage to sewer lines which caused sewage backups/overflows in homes
Damage to driveways and sidewalks
Water main disruption
Electricity disruption
Damage to landscaping
Excavations left open and unprotected (subject to fines up to $2000 by the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods).
These are not nuisance complaints related to noise or aesthetics. With the exception of landscaping, they’re serious safety hazards.
I’ve heard of one family forced to leave their home for weeks because of damage caused by Aspen and its subcontractors. Stories pour in almost daily. Damage has run into the tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases.
Third Time Isn’t the Charm
Comcast’s installation is the third such project in recent years. Suddenlink, aka Optimum, upgraded its old coaxial system to optical fiber. Then Tachus entered the market. Comcast quickly followed.
No utility installation is problem-free. However, in my opinion, neither of the first two efforts seemed to cause as many problems as Comcast. Nor did the problems seem to be as severe.
Others may disagree with that. Especially those who were damaged. But based solely on my call volume and hours spent dealing with complaints, Team Comcast is the “winner” of the Kingwood Smackdown.
Damage Issues Complicated by Compensation Runaround
I have no prior experience with Comcast. Nor do I have any old scores to settle. Also know that I’m a great believer in competition. If Aspen were compensating people fairly for damage, I might be more understanding.
But another neighbor’s driveway was seriously damaged by Aspen and/or its subs. They apparently parked a hydro-vac truck on top of the drive and/or drilled under it – perhaps at different times – while the homeowner was away.
After the homeowner called numerous Comcast and Aspen people around the country, Aspen said they would pay for the damage.
Then, they sent “a former detective with police experience” to investigate. He denied the claim based on a crack that showed up in a Google Street-View photo taken before the incident. The denial happened even though an Aspen VP said in an open community meeting, “There’s no way one of those trucks should have been in a private driveway.”
The homeowner is still arguing with Aspen. Aspen refuses to acknowledge the difference between a pre-existing crack and a deeply rutted and deformed driveway with large chunks jutting up, and other areas smashed down and crumbling.
The irony is that earlier I stood on the driveway in question with that VP from Aspen when we were trying to solve another problem related to the placement of a Comcast junction box. He knows the driveway didn’t look then like it looks now.
My advice:
If you see Aspen coming, immediately take “before” photos of your property. You may need them in court to prove damages.
Notify everyone in sight if problems develop – immediately. That includes Aspen, the City, Comcast, your insurance company, your neighbors, your HOA and your lawyer.
Team Comcast seems to thrive in an environment where people don’t compare notes and see patterns.
Unanswered Questions?
Why should a utility’s right to offer service give it the right to damage property?
Why doesn’t Aspen have better supervisors in the field?
Who at Comcast is supervising Aspen?
And who at the City is supervising Comcast?
For More Information on How, Where to Report Damage
Comcast and the City claim they aren’t hearing about damage from Kingwood residents. How can you make sure the right people hear about what Comcast and its contractors did to you? See this post or click on the picture below.
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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231027-RJR_2973.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2023-10-28 06:37:522023-11-02 15:39:20When Does an Amenity Become a Threat to Public Safety?
October 26, 2023 – The $100 million Northpark Drive expansion project in Kingwood is making steady progress. But in some areas, the action is behind-the-scenes and out of sight for commuters. Let me describe the key highlights for this last week in October. Let’s start west of US59 and move east.
Sidewalk Extension to Kingwood College
Contractors have begun building sidewalks that will eventually connect Kingwood with Kingwood College. This will enable students who cannot afford vehicles to walk or ride bikes to school, saving money that they can put toward their educations. (Most of us can remember what that was like!) Right now, contractors are working to lay-out the forms west of the US59, on TxDOT right-of-way. The sidewalks will extend westward toward Rock Creek on both the north and south sides of the road.
Looking ENE from west of 59 along the north side of Northpark.Note new bed for sidewalk.Same direction but looking at the beginning of a new sidewalk along the south side of Northpark.
Brush Piles Removed
At the US59/Northpark intersection, contractors have removed huge brush piles and taken soil samples in preparation for excavation of detention basins. However, some trees still need to be transplanted, especially south of Northpark.
Huge brush piles have been removed. Looking S from E of 59 at where north entry pond will go.
Entry Pond Drainage Pipe
Contractors are installing a 12′ waterline on the north side of Northpark to take stormwater from the two new entry ponds at 59 toward Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Looking west toward 59. Note excavation for pipe on the N (right) side of Northpark.
Tree Transplantation
Between 59 and 494, contractors have begun transplanting trees in preparation for widening the street.
Railroad Agreement and Road Closure
The UnionPacific railroad and City of Houston have an interlocal agreement going before City Council on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The agreement provides for the contractor’s right-of-entry and will allow private utilities to relocate their facilities now, in advance of the reconstruction of two at-grade crossings. Once approved by the City, progress in that area should quickly become more visible. Ralph De Leon, Northpark Project Manager, says he has been working to clear this hurdle since 2015!
When construction begins, UP will need to close Northpark at some point for three days to replace a section of track and update crossing signals. The new signals will provide better integration with other crossings up and down the track.
Widening of Ditch 1
Behind Public Storage, contractors are beginning to construct the new outfall, and clear and grub “Ditch 1” for more than 800 feet. This will help channel runoff down to Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. It will create an alternate route to evacuate excess stormwater that collects in the detention basins at the US59 Northpark entry. Ditch 1 will parallel Northpark behind the businesses on the north side of the street.
Looking east atDitch 1 north of Northpark. It is being widened to 40 feet.
Water Main Conflict Resolved
Just past Russell-Palmer, the conflict with a church water main has finally been solved. The City approved a plan to reroute the water under the 6’x8′ box culverts being installed in the center ditch. Once rerouted, contractors will go back and install the missing sections of culvert. They will also place a concrete collar around the splice in the sections of culvert to seal it..
Detention Capacity Expansion
Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity of Ditch 1 north of Northpark. They’re also working on solutions to distribute water between Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, so as not to overwhelm the capacity of either.
Phase II Kicking Off in January
Planning for Phase II of the project (east of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch) has begun. Engineers are examining designs for a pedestrian tunnel near Glade Valley. The tunnel would accommodate extra wide wheelchairs used by clients at the Village Learning Center who shuttle between the Center and jobs along Northpark.
Detail from Diversion Ditch to Woodland Hills. For complete, higher res version, see below.
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 will hold two public meetings. The first is scheduled for January 11, 2024, at the Kingwood Community Center to discuss Phase II and solicit input from other groups and residents.
Additionally, the Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity on the north side of Northpark Drive at Ben’s Branch in order to reduce flooding further south on Ben’s Branch. Potential solutions include detention basins and diverting more water down the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The Diversion Ditch is being expanded as part of a separate project.
For More Information
The Northpark expansion project has two purposes:
Reduce traffic congestion/commute times
Create an all-weather evacuation route for 70,000 people who might be affected by floods or train mishaps.
You can review progress of the job by browsing these previous ReduceFlooding.com posts:
NWS cautions that wildfires can leave lasting effects on the landscape and create a heightened risk of flooding for years.
Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially in and near steep terrain.
In some areas, where the fire burned hot enough or long enough, soils develop a layer that actually repels water, like rain on pavement. Rainfall normally absorbed by the forest canopy and vegetative debris on the ground will instead quickly run off.
Because of this, much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood, and the potential for debris flows increases with the loss of plant material that holds the soil in place.
A good rule of thumb is: “If you can look uphill from where you are and see a burnt-out area, you are at risk.”
Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides. They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees – and sometimes, homes or vehicles. You’ll often hear “debris flows” called “mudslides” or “mudflows”. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.
What Causes Debris Flow?
Debris flows occur most commonly during intense rain after wildfires. A debris flow doesn’t need a long rain or a saturated slope. It can start on a dry slope after only a few minutes of intense rain.
“Intense” rain means a burst of rain at a fast rate, about half an inch in an hour. With debris flows, the rainfall rate matters more than total rainfall.
Why are Debris Flows so Dangerous?
Debris flows are fast and unpredictable. They can travel faster than you can run – and they can catch up to your car! Also, no one can say precisely where a debris flow will start or where it will go. It may begin in a stream channel, then jump out and spread through a neighborhood. A debris flow may happen where others have occurred, or in a place that has never seen one before.
Relationship to Drought
Droughts often create fuel for fires. Not long ago, SE Texas was in an extreme drought. Moderate rains recently may make it feel as though the drought is over, but in reality, we are still officially in a severe drought.
FEMA warns that it can take up to FIVE years after a fire for the landscape to restore itself enough to reduce flood risk.
Still skeptical? Check out this BBC story about rainfall triggering flood warnings FOUR years after wildfires devastated parts of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
All the more reason to be cautious when camping or burning brush.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/2023
2248 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231025-Screenshot-2023-10-25-at-5.07.04%E2%80%AFPM.jpg?fit=1100%2C645&ssl=16451100adminadmin2023-10-25 18:02:002023-10-26 06:49:35Why Floods Often Follow Fires
When Does an Amenity Become a Threat to Public Safety?
I have received a flood of complaints recently about a threat to public safety: the Comcast/Xfinity installation by Aspen Utilities now underway in Kingwood. Yesterday, I experienced the threat firsthand when an Aspen crew cut into a neighbor’s CenterPoint gas line. Ironically, the CenterPoint line had already been exposed and identified. Fire department and CenterPoint personnel were shocked and shaking their heads in disbelief.
Sadly, this was not an isolated instance. It raises questions about the competence of the installers and whether having a third internet provider in a crowded utility easement is a threat to public safety.
A Brutal Wake-Up Call
Yesterday morning, I heard a noise near my driveway. Upon investigation, I found two fire trucks, EMS and CenterPoint had sealed off my entire block (near Kingwood High School). Aspen had cut into a CenterPoint gas line. The scene looked like this.
The crew of the hydro-excavation truck above had located the gas line and exposed it after digging a 20-foot trench in a neighbor’s yard. Regardless, the Aspen crew managed to cut the gas line anyway.
The incident cut off traffic on Valley Manor for several hours. And while first responders were standing by here, they weren’t available to handle other emergencies elsewhere.
Houston EMS charges residents for call-outs. Are they charging Aspen?
Recurring Problem
If this were an isolated incident, I would be praising the first responders instead of condemning the apparent incompetence of Aspen. This isn’t the first time such an incident has happened in my neighborhood.
To me, that constitutes a threat to public safety. And raises some questions about the competence of Comcast contractors.
As an HOA board member, I’ve received dozens of complaints about Comcast/Aspen incidents and also heard from other HOA’s. Problems have included, but are not limited to:
These are not nuisance complaints related to noise or aesthetics. With the exception of landscaping, they’re serious safety hazards.
I’ve heard of one family forced to leave their home for weeks because of damage caused by Aspen and its subcontractors. Stories pour in almost daily. Damage has run into the tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases.
Third Time Isn’t the Charm
Comcast’s installation is the third such project in recent years. Suddenlink, aka Optimum, upgraded its old coaxial system to optical fiber. Then Tachus entered the market. Comcast quickly followed.
No utility installation is problem-free. However, in my opinion, neither of the first two efforts seemed to cause as many problems as Comcast. Nor did the problems seem to be as severe.
Others may disagree with that. Especially those who were damaged. But based solely on my call volume and hours spent dealing with complaints, Team Comcast is the “winner” of the Kingwood Smackdown.
Damage Issues Complicated by Compensation Runaround
I have no prior experience with Comcast. Nor do I have any old scores to settle. Also know that I’m a great believer in competition. If Aspen were compensating people fairly for damage, I might be more understanding.
But another neighbor’s driveway was seriously damaged by Aspen and/or its subs. They apparently parked a hydro-vac truck on top of the drive and/or drilled under it – perhaps at different times – while the homeowner was away.
After the homeowner called numerous Comcast and Aspen people around the country, Aspen said they would pay for the damage.
Then, they sent “a former detective with police experience” to investigate. He denied the claim based on a crack that showed up in a Google Street-View photo taken before the incident. The denial happened even though an Aspen VP said in an open community meeting, “There’s no way one of those trucks should have been in a private driveway.”
The homeowner is still arguing with Aspen. Aspen refuses to acknowledge the difference between a pre-existing crack and a deeply rutted and deformed driveway with large chunks jutting up, and other areas smashed down and crumbling.
The irony is that earlier I stood on the driveway in question with that VP from Aspen when we were trying to solve another problem related to the placement of a Comcast junction box. He knows the driveway didn’t look then like it looks now.
My advice:
Team Comcast seems to thrive in an environment where people don’t compare notes and see patterns.
Unanswered Questions?
Why should a utility’s right to offer service give it the right to damage property?
Why doesn’t Aspen have better supervisors in the field?
Who at Comcast is supervising Aspen?
And who at the City is supervising Comcast?
For More Information on How, Where to Report Damage
Comcast and the City claim they aren’t hearing about damage from Kingwood residents. How can you make sure the right people hear about what Comcast and its contractors did to you? See this post or click on the picture below.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/28/2023
2251 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.
Northpark Expansion Project Moving Forward on Multiple Fronts
October 26, 2023 – The $100 million Northpark Drive expansion project in Kingwood is making steady progress. But in some areas, the action is behind-the-scenes and out of sight for commuters. Let me describe the key highlights for this last week in October. Let’s start west of US59 and move east.
Sidewalk Extension to Kingwood College
Contractors have begun building sidewalks that will eventually connect Kingwood with Kingwood College. This will enable students who cannot afford vehicles to walk or ride bikes to school, saving money that they can put toward their educations. (Most of us can remember what that was like!) Right now, contractors are working to lay-out the forms west of the US59, on TxDOT right-of-way. The sidewalks will extend westward toward Rock Creek on both the north and south sides of the road.
Brush Piles Removed
At the US59/Northpark intersection, contractors have removed huge brush piles and taken soil samples in preparation for excavation of detention basins. However, some trees still need to be transplanted, especially south of Northpark.
Entry Pond Drainage Pipe
Contractors are installing a 12′ waterline on the north side of Northpark to take stormwater from the two new entry ponds at 59 toward Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Tree Transplantation
Between 59 and 494, contractors have begun transplanting trees in preparation for widening the street.
Railroad Agreement and Road Closure
The UnionPacific railroad and City of Houston have an interlocal agreement going before City Council on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The agreement provides for the contractor’s right-of-entry and will allow private utilities to relocate their facilities now, in advance of the reconstruction of two at-grade crossings. Once approved by the City, progress in that area should quickly become more visible. Ralph De Leon, Northpark Project Manager, says he has been working to clear this hurdle since 2015!
When construction begins, UP will need to close Northpark at some point for three days to replace a section of track and update crossing signals. The new signals will provide better integration with other crossings up and down the track.
Widening of Ditch 1
Behind Public Storage, contractors are beginning to construct the new outfall, and clear and grub “Ditch 1” for more than 800 feet. This will help channel runoff down to Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. It will create an alternate route to evacuate excess stormwater that collects in the detention basins at the US59 Northpark entry. Ditch 1 will parallel Northpark behind the businesses on the north side of the street.
Water Main Conflict Resolved
Just past Russell-Palmer, the conflict with a church water main has finally been solved. The City approved a plan to reroute the water under the 6’x8′ box culverts being installed in the center ditch. Once rerouted, contractors will go back and install the missing sections of culvert. They will also place a concrete collar around the splice in the sections of culvert to seal it..
Detention Capacity Expansion
Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity of Ditch 1 north of Northpark. They’re also working on solutions to distribute water between Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, so as not to overwhelm the capacity of either.
Phase II Kicking Off in January
Planning for Phase II of the project (east of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch) has begun. Engineers are examining designs for a pedestrian tunnel near Glade Valley. The tunnel would accommodate extra wide wheelchairs used by clients at the Village Learning Center who shuttle between the Center and jobs along Northpark.
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 will hold two public meetings. The first is scheduled for January 11, 2024, at the Kingwood Community Center to discuss Phase II and solicit input from other groups and residents.
Additionally, the Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity on the north side of Northpark Drive at Ben’s Branch in order to reduce flooding further south on Ben’s Branch. Potential solutions include detention basins and diverting more water down the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The Diversion Ditch is being expanded as part of a separate project.
For More Information
The Northpark expansion project has two purposes:
You can review progress of the job by browsing these previous ReduceFlooding.com posts:
For more information, consult the LHRA/TIRZ 10 website.
For a schematic diagram of Phase II (Russell-Palmer to Woodland Hills and beyond, see below.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/26/23
2249 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Why Floods Often Follow Fires
FEMA, USGS, and the National Weather Service (NWS) all have posted stories about floods that often follow fires. But WHY do they?
This NWS graphic tells the story.
About the Danger
NWS cautions that wildfires can leave lasting effects on the landscape and create a heightened risk of flooding for years.
Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially in and near steep terrain.
In some areas, where the fire burned hot enough or long enough, soils develop a layer that actually repels water, like rain on pavement. Rainfall normally absorbed by the forest canopy and vegetative debris on the ground will instead quickly run off.
Because of this, much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood, and the potential for debris flows increases with the loss of plant material that holds the soil in place.
What Is a Debris Flow?
Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides. They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees – and sometimes, homes or vehicles. You’ll often hear “debris flows” called “mudslides” or “mudflows”. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.
What Causes Debris Flow?
Debris flows occur most commonly during intense rain after wildfires. A debris flow doesn’t need a long rain or a saturated slope. It can start on a dry slope after only a few minutes of intense rain.
“Intense” rain means a burst of rain at a fast rate, about half an inch in an hour. With debris flows, the rainfall rate matters more than total rainfall.
Why are Debris Flows so Dangerous?
Debris flows are fast and unpredictable. They can travel faster than you can run – and they can catch up to your car! Also, no one can say precisely where a debris flow will start or where it will go. It may begin in a stream channel, then jump out and spread through a neighborhood. A debris flow may happen where others have occurred, or in a place that has never seen one before.
Relationship to Drought
Droughts often create fuel for fires. Not long ago, SE Texas was in an extreme drought. Moderate rains recently may make it feel as though the drought is over, but in reality, we are still officially in a severe drought.
FEMA warns that it can take up to FIVE years after a fire for the landscape to restore itself enough to reduce flood risk.
Earlier this week, the AP reported a story about three Texans killed in flash flooding that followed a New Mexico wildfire.
Still skeptical? Check out this BBC story about rainfall triggering flood warnings FOUR years after wildfires devastated parts of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
All the more reason to be cautious when camping or burning brush.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/2023
2248 Days since Hurricane Harvey