A Closer Look at Catch Basins

Rose Paving | Rose Paving Blog | Parking Lot Paving | Asphalt Paving

This article is courtesy of Rose Paving;ranked among the nation’s leading contractors in the 2011 “Top Facilities Management Report."
A Closer Look at Catch Basins: Part 1

Published by Karen on February 16th, 2011

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner and that means April showers.  As any facility or property manager can attest, excess rainwater can wreak havoc on a building.

Installation of a new concrete basin

Many facility/property managers overlook drainage on their parking lots until it is too late because, from the surface, problems are not easily identified.  But, upon closer inspection of areas in and around catch basins, potential drainage issues can be detected early and repaired before they become a concern.  Catch basins are underground chambers topped with grates.  They allow sand, sediment, and other materials to settle out of storm water before it travels to a detention basin.

Begin by assessing the number and location of catch basins on your parking lot.  During initial installation, parking lots should be constructed with a minimum of 1% slope for efficient drainage.  In many situations, this slope is not achieved uniformly throughout the parking lot and lower spots may exist.  Catch basins should be located in those areas to help water exit the surface. 

In some cases, a parking lot may have been constructed without the right number of catch basins or without any drainage system at all.  If this is the case, catch basin installation can be a possible solution.

Catch basin installation begins by excavating the area as needed and installing a pre-cast concrete catch basin with necessary adjustment rings.  Next, a cast-iron frame and lid is installed on the basin and set at the appropriate height for proper drainage.  The excavated area is backfilled with crushed aggregate, leveled, and compacted.  Finally, hot mix asphalt is compacted and rolled to form a smooth surface over the specified area.

Over time, due to wear and tear on your parking lot, catch basins may need adjusting and regular cleaning to ensure that they are properly draining water from the surface.

Revisions to the Industrial Stormwater General Permits

DEQ Invites The Public To Comment On The Permit Changes


Date: 02/10/2012
Subject: Revisions to the Industrial Stormwater General Permits

On October 1, 2011, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the Industrial Stormwater General Permits Nos. 1200-COLS, 1200-Z, and 1200-ZN.  After issuing the permits, DEQ discovered corrections to errors and clarifications of certain permit requirements are necessary.  DEQ invites the public to comment on the permit changes that address errors and clarify certain requirements in the permits.  The public comment period is February 10 through March 16 , 2012. The proposed changes and other information are available online at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/stormwater/industrial.htm.

For more information or to get a hard copy of the changes, contact Jenine Camilleri at DEQ through e-mail atcamilleri.jenine@deq.state.or.us, by telephone at (503) 229-6775, or call toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-4011, ext. 6775.

Media Advisory: Meet Oregon’s new “clean fleet” of tows, tugs and dredgers Nov. 10

News Release For release: Nov. 8, 2011 Media Advisory:  November 10, 2011 Meet Oregon’s new “clean fleet”              of Tows, Tugs and Dredgers Tour highlights efforts to improve air quality and reduce  fuel consumption by retrofitting regional shipping vessels                                              What:             The Columbia and Willamette Rivers, collectively one of the world’s busiest grain export waterways, are running a little more “green” thanks to efforts to retrofit and repower several heavy-duty diesel marine engines.                         Join Congressman Earl Blumenauer and dignitaries from EPA, Oregon DEQ and from local shipping companies for a firsthand look at how Oregon’s marine freight industry has partnered with federal, state and local governments to lower fuel consumption and reduce emissions.                        Take a tour of the vessels and discover how public and private partnerships and programs like Oregon’s clean diesel initiative have strengthened the region’s marine shipping industry. Learn more about upcoming federal initiatives for clean diesel projects in Oregon and Washington. When:             1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10 Where:           5 SE Madison, Portland                         (At the Portland Fire Station on the Eastbank Esplanade) Speakers: •         U.S. Congressional Representative Earl Blumenauer, Oregon, 3rd District •         Maye Thompson, Environmental Health Program Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility •         Dick Pedersen, Director, Oregon DEQ •         Dennis McLerran, Regional Administrator, EPA Region X •         Bill Wyatt, Executive Director, Port of Portland •         Dennis McVicker, Tidewater CEO Oregon DEQ Contacts: Kevin Downing: Air Quality Division, Clean Diesel Initiative, 503-229-6549 William Knight: Office of Communications & Outreach, 503-229-5680; Cell: 503-757-1889 DEQ is a leader in protecting, restoring and maintaining Oregon’s environment.