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Question regarding curb drain installations

Posted by Judy Hanway on 9 May, 2014
Category: Category 1 - SSWWEP Questions and Presentations

Hi Nick,

I would like to know the following:

 
Thank you.

Comments

Kathy Boris on 11 May, 2014:

I am very interested in having the answers to these questions too.

kb

Michelle Lovasz on 14 May, 2014:

Hi Kathy and Judy, I probably missed this discussion, but would you please let me know the significance of this?

Kathy Boris on 14 May, 2014:

Hi, Michelle—
I am reading my e-mail backwards, so I am not sure whether anyone answered
you on this.

Charlie Fleetham e-mailed this link; the information in the link is the
basis for the questions that Judy Hanway adked.

[image: Icon_pdf_big] <https://ohm.basecamphq.com/F183237947> 051412 Irv
Mermelstein emails and attachement re Horizontal Drilling and
Bentonite.pdf<https://ohm.basecamphq.com/F183237947>

kb

Jim Osborn on 14 May, 2014:

"What type of drilling fluid/lubricant was used when the curb drains were dug?Please provide all the product information that is available."
This is a distraction, in my opinion and is not relevant to our mission. It is instead linked to Mermelstein's latest lawsuit. What is "convenient" is how his A2 Underwater site lists all of the evils of this but fails to mention how these same or similar machines have been used to install new natural gas lines and fiber optic lines in Ann Arbor as well as other utilities. He also mentioned a very scary chemical, ethylene glycol, as if it were nuclear waste, when it is common antifreeze, and everyone owns it, and uses it. Mr. Mermelstein would have one believe that antifreeze is as bad as MTBE, the gas additive, which it is not.

Comparing a common utility drilling method to fracking is off topic and is a distraction from our mission and at worse, a fishing expedition for a lawyer.

I am more interest in finding remedies for those home owners who have had FDDs in the past but still have "issues" with them, not a new topic for a lawsuit.

Lori Byron on 29 May, 2014:

At the beginning of this thread, Judy asked several questions. Here are the questions, with the responses from the City.

Q. What type of drilling fluid/lubricant was used when the curb drains were dug?
A. Water and bentonite

Q. Please provide all the product information that is available.
A. Below is the specification for the bentonite drilling fluid.

Drilling Fluid
A drilling fluid of water and bentonite clay or a polymer shall be used. The fluid shall be inert.  The fluid should remain in the tunnel to ensure the stability of the tunnel, reduce drag on the pulled pipe, and provide backfill within the annulus of the pipe and tunnel.

Leakage of drilling fluid through the soil shall be minimized. The Contractor will immediately clean up any drilling fluid that surfaces through fracturing. The Contractor is responsible for transporting all excess fluids to a disposal site and paying all disposal costs. Disposal shall be performed in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, right-of-way, and work space agreements. Drilling fluid is not to be placed in storm drains or the sanitary sewer. The Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with mitigating the accidental release of drilling fluid on to private property, including but not limited to, lawns, footing drains, and basements.

Q. What information did the contractors who did this work have to provide to the City regarding this drilling fluid?
A. See above

Q. Did different contractors do this work?
A. Yes, 3 different contractors.

Q. Was there a difference between what method and/or products were used before 2006 and after 2006?
A. No, the same specification has been used.