Engineers fix drains to prevent pollution

  • Published
  • Base Civil Engineer Office
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Base civil engineers are currently working a storm water drainage project to support the Environmental Protection Agency's oil spill pollution prevention and countermeasures program. 

The regulation, originally implemented in the 1970's, is designed to protect U.S. waters from oil spills. The project cost is $104,000 and includes drainage system repairs and improvements associated with the watershed for a small body of water located between buildings 700 and 727 called Spill Pond 4.

The pond is one of five on Dobbins ARB originally constructed in 1977 specifically for oil spill protection. The system of ponds were placed around the base in a manner that ensured a spill anywhere on the aircraft ramp and apron would flow through one of the ponds. The inlet and outlet of the pond is designed to contain an oil spill on the surface of the pond where it can be recovered preventing its release off base and into the environment.
Due to the erosive nature of water and length of time, deterioration has occurred throughout the watershed that flows to Spill Pond 4. Some storm water began to bypass the spill pond as a result. The purpose of this project was to eliminate this bypass and improve the storm water collection and drainage infrastructure associated with Spill Pond 4. 

Drainage system improvements include a French drain east of the fire department, installation of new storm water inlets and pipes south of the transient ramp north of the fire department, grading and earthwork adjacent to Pond 4, and installation of gabions, a metal "basket" of stones, to prevent erosion and protect the outlet of the pond north of Delk Road.

Upon completion of the project, the base will have confidence in ability of Spill Pond 4 and its drainage system to successfully intercept a catastrophic spill of oil or fuel on the flightline near the transient ramp and Hangar 746.

The Civil Engineering Project Team includes Robert Beechler and Kelly Childress. The work is being executed by CAPE Environmental, Inc. For any additional information or questions, please call the Project Manager at 678-655-3546.