CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A drainage ditch built two summers ago to convince Whirlpool to stay in Cleveland needs repairs.
The detention pond system was built to end chronic flooding that often threatened Whirlpool, other industries and some homes in the area for years.
The East Street detention pond was designed to hold water only during rainy weather and be dry at other times. Instead, an unexpected water source is making the ditch a constant stream now, according to engineers.
The source of the water is unknown, said J. Gregory Wilson, project manager for CTI Engineers Inc., which did the work.
When the project was dug, the region was in a severe drought, he said.
A second, nearby detention channel drains a larger area but has remained dry except during rains, he said.
Constant water flow will damage the ditch liner, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation warns. The agency has told the city to change to a stronger liner – quickly.
But no one has a cost estimate or an idea of where the money will come to fix the problem.
City Councilman David May worries that “it sounds costly.” Councilman Bill Estes said he wished the problem had been foreseen at the time of the $3.5 million project, which was partially paid for through federal funds.
There is potentially a low-cost solution, said City Manager Janice Casteel. The city is asking TDEC for permission to lay rip-rap along the drainage area, which would protect the drainage ditch, too.
If TDEC says no to the limestone rock solution, the city will have to redesign the pond and install a more expensive liner that does not erode with constant water flow, she said.
It’s just one of those things that can not be foreseen, said Wilson of CTI Engineers.
The city agreed to contract with CTI to fix the problem if TDEC rejects installing rip-rap. Wilson said CTI will not charge the city for re-designing the channel liner alternatives.
Still unknown however, is the cost of the material and the cost of work.