THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409280184
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Thousands of commuters who must drive daily along Hampton Boulevard know about the terror of the underpass at 21st Street on a rainy day.
The underpass is infamous for its flooding problems. But things are looking up for motorists, thanks to a new water pump station.
The recently completed $1.1 million water pump station, located at Azalea Court and Jeff Robertson Park, is ready for operation. The city's division of Environmental Storm Water Management dedicated the new station on Tuesday in a ceremony that included a tour of the new facility.
According to Nancy Gray, a spokewoman for the Department of Public Works, the improved station is capable of pumping 9,000 gallons of water per minute, which is equal to draining three backyard pools in two-and-a-half minutes.
``We're excited because it's the first new pump station we've had in some time,'' Gray said.
Flooding has been a problem in the city's underpasses because the pump stations did not have emergency back-up generators during power outtages, Gray said. The new station changes all of that.
``Flooding is one of the many issues citizens would like resolved. Both flood control and water issues are what we're about,'' she said.
This is the first new pump to be funded by the Capital Improvement Program for the Environmental Storm Water Management Program. Of the city's 10 pump stations, nine are 25 to 55 years old.
Storm water runoff contributes to pollution in the city. The runoff picks up pollutants such as motor oil and antifreeze on its way through drainage systems and into the area's waterways.
``We now have the opportunity to do the upkeep and other aspects of structure maintenance,'' Gray said. ``This project wasn't cheap, but we feel it will deliver.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
The tower at St. Pius Catholic Church is pictured on today's cover.
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