Mead & Hunt’s redesign of the existing Madison Water Utility Operations Center redeveloped an urban site, which then required stormwater treatment. Site challenges ruled out the use of conventional stormwater treatment methods to meet regulatory requirements. Space limitations, high groundwater and contaminated soils prohibited standard infiltration practices to protect groundwater quality. We selected an underground stormwater treatment vault as the innovative solution to remove pollutants.
The underground vault removes sediment from stormwater runoff and accommodates heavy vehicle loads, allowing the site to maintain water utility functionality of the site. The tank captures oil and grease from parked vehicles and on-site fueling through a baffle system. The shallow storm sewer limited the site’s ability to provide needed active stormwater storage volume. To reduce runoff volumes, the project incorporated a rooftop garden, which also added to improved site greenspace. The new water utility facility showcases innovative stormwater solutions and offers environmental protection.
