Harris County-Green Infrastructure

Initiatives

John Blount, P.E., LEED AP

Director, Harris County-
Architecture & Engineering Division

Agenda
 Introduction
 Storm Water Program Overview
 Green Infrastructure Initiatives
 Rules for Low Impact Development
 Green Roads
 Future Projects
Introduction

 Largest metro area in U.S

with NO zoning.
 Development based on the
“Municipal Utility District”
model.
 High annual rainfall ~52 in.
 ~2500 miles of waterways
and flood control channels.
 2009- Bid $121 million in
Roadway projects.

Storm Water Program Overview

 1980’s- County and Flood Control District began
requiring detention basins for storm water to reduce
flooding.
 1990’s to 2000’s – Development required to address
storm water quality:
 First through Construction phase.
 Later by Permanent SWQ BMPs.
 We share our Phase I MS4 permit with the City of

Houston, TxDOT, and the Harris County Flood

Control District.

Storm Water Program

Overview
 During Dry Weather:
 The water in our bayous/channels is mostly WWTP
effluent (generally speaking, non-tidal areas).
 This effluent is being called “Storm Water” by many,
particularly when the effluent leaves the weir (outfall)
of the WWTP.
 When it Rains:
 It pours!
 WWTPs & systems may overflow, but most of water in
bayous is Storm Water runoff.
Bacteria TMDLs
 We have Very High bacteria levels in streams.
 Working with stakeholders for Implementation Plan
through the HGAC’s – Bacteria Implementation
Group (BIG).
 The BIG has targeted WWTPs
as a top pollutant source.

Bacteria TMDLs

 TCEQ placing bacteria

limits in WWTP new
permits & renewals,
beginning this year.

 -Likely not restrictive

enough for our region
due to bacteria
regrowth in our
streams.
Storm Water BMPs
 Most developers implement a combined
detention/water quality basin to meet County
requirements.
 Some dry, some wet, a variety of designs.

SWQ for Road Projects

 Treating SWQ for road projects can be difficult, due
to their linear nature.
 HC chose to not exempt road projects from our SWQ
regulations, so we do treat our own road projects the
same –Urban forestry, floatable collection, WQ
basins, etc.
Advantages of GI

County benefits:
 Reduced land for project.
 Reduced capital cost.
 Improved water quality.
 Public perception.

Items to Evaluate
 Financial Analysis – Is it cost effective (per project)?

 Design Criteria – what is acceptable?

 Hydrologic Modeling –which model to use?

 TCEQ MUD-reimbursements – some GI/LID items

are not reimbursable to the Developer.
Buy in for LID
 Working with stakeholders on Summer LID
workshops to develop criteria for LID.
 June-Roads
 July-Urban Re-developments
 August-Site / Subdivisions
 Invitation only.
 City/County staff
and consultants.

County Rules for LID

 The post development hydrograph indicates the peak flows are below
the pre-development hydrographs for the 10 and 100yr storm events.
 For SWQ, we also include storm events up to the 5yr event.

 A conceptual design meeting is held.

Leading the South
 LEED for County Buildings.
 Major supporter of the Houston Land/Water

Sustainability Forum.

 Donated “Green Road” project for HLWF -LID contest and

supported contest with judging and support.
 County employees participated in Contest from Green

Road category.

 Driving future workshops to implement LID design

criteria for future regulations.

 Working with EPA on Green Infrastructure alternatives.

Typical Roadway

Raised Median
Green Roads – One idea

Depressed Median

Green Roads – One idea

Swale on shoulder or Median

Birnamwood Drive

 Road extension in Northern Harris County-near

Spring Creek. Close to a popular County Park.

Birnamwood Drive

Depressed Median

 Currently under design.

Independence Parkway

 The Road to TX Independence.

 Used as a design category for

the HLWSF LID Competition.

ay
Parkway
Independence Parkw
 County Staff participated in

contest, examples on following

slides.

Green Road Design Challenge

From This…
2 lane asphalt Road
To This…
4 lane PERVIOUS asphalt Parkway

Design Concepts Proposed Existing The existing road is bordered

on the east by ditches of
varying depth from 2’ to 3’.
The easement just east of
the ditches are overgrown
with mature trees, weeds,
native grasses and seasonal
wildflowers.
Independence Parkway

•Rain gardens and grass swales as

bioretention elements for storm water
management
•Green walls designed of hog wire
and metal poles
•Lighting is provided by solar panels
mounted on green wall
•Dry stacked retaining walls allow the
ditch to be widened.

Tidal Road
 Design Concepts
Existing Monument
The existing marker is in
need of enhancement to
provide recognition
deserving of such
historical landmark.

The monument pull-off

was designed to
encourage passers-by to
pause and experience
Harris County’s history.

A tranquil mini-park area

is achieved with a
circular permeable
pavers pattern
surrounding the
monument and
decorative stone poles
bordering the rear. Each
Proposed Monument Pull-off sides of the monument is
flanked with rain

Design Concepts

Independence Parkway Easement Elevation

The “green wall” designed of metal poles and hog wire. Vines are used to provide coverage along the hog wire
creating a green wall. This application creates a similar coverage of bushes without the required trimming to
achieve a manicured look.
Butting the green wall are short columns with a profile inspired by the San Jacinto Monument. The columns are
topped with solar powered light poles. The existing Precinct 2 banners were relocated to the light poles. A Harris
County emblem is flanked by round pipes that are attached to the inside of the short columns.
Design Concepts

We envision an
opportunity for a bike
path that is a part of the
State Park routes to
Independence Parkway
at strategic points.
Bike Trail Elevation

Grass Crete & Porous Asphalt

Modeling HEC-HMS software is used in our office and
therefore was utilized to create this hydrological
5-Year Storm data. The post development hydrograph
indicates the peak flows are below the pre-
development hydrographs for the 5yr,10 yr
and 100 yr storm events.

The same parameters and calculation method

(SCS Method) from the published output file to
develop the Comparative Existing Model was
utilized and reflects a flow reduction.

10-Year Storm 100-Year Storm

Design Concepts
LID ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION COST
Excavation, demolition $180,000.00
New fill material $637,000.00
Grass paver section at median $160,000.00
Pervious Pavers $250,000.00
Concrete drives and tie ins $ 70,000.00
Underground storm. $260,000.00
Limestone retaining walls $291,000.00
Porous asphalt paving $425,000.00
Demolition and removal of temp. drives $ 20,000.00
Ditch re-grading $ 80,000.00
Misc. items (swp3, striping, permitting, bonding, etc.) $160,000.00
Finish grading with grass, sod, and plantings $115,000.00
Contingency $250,000.00
Total Estimate $2,998,000.00

TYPICAL PRECINCT 2 ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION COST

1 Mile Roadway with side ditches $5,000,000.00*
 Questions
jblount@pid.hctx.net