Tutwiler Lot 1-Acre Underground Stormwater Control Facility with Alert Stormwater System Remote Control
The Tutwiler parking lot was built in 2020 to provide additional parking for the University of Alabama’s Bear Bryant Stadium. Because the area near the stadium is developed, finding a location for stormwater control was difficult. The design engineers McGiffert and Associates, LLC proposed an underground vault encompassing 1 acre at a full height of 8 feet.
The Alert Stormwater System control box is connected directly to the valve motor local control box. From any computer or smartphone, the valve motor can be controlled to release stored water, to allow for additional emergency flood storage.
The under-ground storm water storage vault with water level sensor mounted on ceiling.
To control the water storage, a sluice gate valve and Auma motor were installed. Because the valve and motor are in a vault subject to water depths up to 7 feet, the University of Alabama contracted with Alert Systems to install a control system that could be triggered remotely. The custom design for the Alert Stormwater System included a Radar Water Level Sensor by Ott-Hydromet. The addition of the water level sensor allows the Alert Stormwater System to provide regular updates on water level in the facility and will allow the user to control a minimum water height if needed.
The Alert System additionally monitors the NOAA weather band and can react to watches or warnings associated with impending storms. This feature is standard in all the Alert Stormwater Systems, making the management of multiple facilities easier. If selected as one of a number of weather events, a Flash Flood Warning could automatically open the facilities valve, creating additional stormwater storage volume before the storm arrives. An open valve setting allows the user to manage how long the valve remains open for a triggered event.
The cell communication protocol in the Alert Stormwater System communicates to an online Dashboard. This Dashboard gives control of the valve motor allowing for direct button actions including OPEN, CLOSE, PARTIAL OPEN. The early release of stored water INCREASES STORAGE VOLUME in the facility being controlled. This is an efficient, cost effective method to increase stormwater volume with no new construction to existing normal pool volume.
With the addition of the Alert Stormwater System, the facility manager can safely control the water levels in an enclosed underground vault, with the push of a button on their smart phone. Technology makes stormwater more effective with a cost-effective tool that will help minimize flooding to protect property and lives.
