Problems at Findorff Construction site, 3500 University Ave

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This site (including the other side of the building) is 1.4 acres, and hence requires an erosion control permit from both Shorewood and the DNR.  Findorff has an erosion control permit from Shorewood.  Karl Frantz of Shorewood is the one responsible for this project.

It's true that rain gardens are being installed in these new parking lots, which will reduce sediment and pollution runoff.  Yet the lifecycle savings in pollution from these gardens must be balanced against the pollution that occurs during construction.

Those gardens may last and provide sediment reduction for 30 years?   Yet, a severe rainstorm during construction could cause as much sediment erosion and loss as 10-20 years of those hoped-for reductions.  In other words, poor erosion control during construction could negate a large percentage of the benefits of a rain garden project.  It's like throwing money down the stormsewer.

All four gravel pads are too short and too narrow.

Stormwater inlets in the streets nearby have no filters.

Concrete washout was poured down this storm sewer behind the Credit Union.  While there was a filter inside, the highly alkaline water will go right through the filter.  It washes to University Bay, and has the potential to cause a fish kill there.



More photos

Contractor Report has observed many violations of erosion control regulations by Findorff Construction.

Concrete dust is toxic!

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Concrete dust will come back to bite you in the end.

On April 25, 2012, personnel from ALL-TIM-IT Landscaping, Waunakee, WI, were working without dust protection on S. Owen Dr in Madison, WI.

Concrete dust is highly alkaline and corrosive.  It can also cause silicosis of the lungs.

Two small children were present at this house during the work.  One was outside.  The family had not been warned about the danger from dust.

One solution to the dust is to use a saw that is water-cooled.  This converts the dust to a slurry.  However, many contractors do not dispose of the slurry properly.  It is illegal to discard it into the gutter or storm sewer.

Just one example of a widespread problem

The concrete industry is not sustainable, and is headed for trouble.  We have reported elsewhere in this blog about widespread abuse in the disposal of concrete slurry and washout.

The public is frequently exposed to dust from slurry in streets, or the mixing of concrete products.