Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

April 29, 2008

  1. City-State Groundwater Working Group - The group met again this month. Although attendance was somewhat less than usual, cooperation remains excellent, with all parties sharing information and efforts. Details are included under the individual agency reports.
  2. DCR - DCR has confirmed that the interim recharge system from the west pumping station at the Storrow Drive Tunnel will be installed as part of the interim tunnel repairs. The recharge will go into the galleys installed by BWSC in Back Street. We will be carefully watching the effect of this recharge on groundwater levels along Back Street.
  3. MBTA - The MBTA is now in the designer selection stage for the long term solution to groundwater problems in the area of the South End near Back Bay Station. The T has committed to keeping BGwT and the other members of the Action Team involved as the project progresses.
  4. BWSC - The BWSC is still working to complete the television inspection of low lying sewers. They will be scheduling repairs of any sections that appear to have leaks as part of their capital program.
  5. GCOD - Compliance with GCOD standards continues to lead to more recharge systems being installed. It has also caused groundwater issues to be addressed on all projects in the area covered, with proponents offering foundation designs aimed at preventing any reductions in groundwater levels. The Board of Appeals, along with both the BRA and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, continues to be completely supportive of what we are trying to accomplish.
  6. Recharge Coordinator - Following up on the resolution adopted at the March trustees meeting, we have met with John Sullivan and Henry Luthin of BWSC along with Nancy Grilk to discuss how to implement a program aimed at coordinating recharge efforts. There was good consensus at the meeting, and a more detailed report/proposal should be ready for the May meeting.
  7. North End - BWSC is once again injecting dye at the well installed in the North End to attempt to understand why there is a huge variation in groundwater levels in a short distance in the area near Fulton Street. They are inspecting multiple BWSC and MTA locations daily but have yet to find any of the dye.
  8. Website - Traffic at the website came up significantly in April to the highest levels since last August. We continue to receive compliments on the amount and usefulness of information on the site.
  9. 30 North Margin Street - There has been a supplemental information filing including additional groundwater and geotechnical information. I am studying it with our Technical Advisory Committee and will be commenting further.
  10. Recharge Methods - I went with Jim Hunt and Bryan Glascock to visit the UNH Stormwater Lab in Durham for a presentation on their capabilities for studying systems for reducing runoff. Most of these ultimately involve recharge. We also saw demonstrations of both pervious asphalt in a parking lot and pervious concrete in a sidewalk and discussed the advantages and limitations of each.
  11. Public Meeting - I attended a public meeting on a new project at 5-10 St. George Street in the South End to address potential groundwater issues.
  12. Walking Tour - I co-led a walking tour of groundwater related sites with a group from the Association of American Geographers when they were here for their annual meeting. The tour was very well received by those who attended.