Broken Arrow adopts emergency ordinance to shield stormwater system from construction runoff

Broken Arrow adopts emergency ordinance to shield stormwater system from construction runoffDriven by an uptick in local development, the new measure targets uncontained concrete slurry to protect the city's stormwater infrastructure, alongside operational progress on local waterline and drainage upgrades.

Ordinance 3907 makes it unlawful to discharge or track concrete slurry and wash water into the public right-of-way or stormwater network.

The council approved an emergency clause for immediate implementation, giving the city enforcement tools to hold violators accountable.

The city is advancing the Old Town Waterline Improvements, utilizing in-house municipal crews for the waterline and a hired contractor for follow-up drainage work.

Council reallocated 2018 General Obligation Bond funds from design to construction for the South Fork Estates drainage improvements to mitigate residential flooding.

The City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has enacted an emergency ordinance to prevent construction materials from compromising its municipal stormwater system. Approved by the City Council on March 24, Ordinance No. 3907 amends Chapter 21 of the city code to make it strictly unlawful to discharge, spill, or track concrete slurry, wash water, and other construction materials into the public right-of-way or stormwater network. A city staff member, identified in the meeting as Trevor, told the council that the regulatory update was necessitated by increasing construction activity and instances of trucks failing to properly secure their loads. The measure, which was passed with an emergency clause for immediate effect, provides the city with the enforcement tools required to hold violators accountable and maintain the integrity of its stormwater infrastructure. In addition to the regulatory update, the council advanced operational water and drainage projects. Director of Engineering and Construction Charlie Bright presented an update on the Old Town Waterline Improvements. Bright noted that municipal in-house crews are executing the primary waterline upgrades—locating the infrastructure approximately six feet off the road shoulder—while a hired private contractor will follow up to complete the associated drainage work. The project's logistics will necessitate a one-month closure of a section of Houston Street. Furthermore, the council approved the reallocation of 2018 General Obligation Bond funds to support drainage improvements in the South Fork Estates subdivision. Shifting the funds from the design phase to the construction phase was recommended by the Drainage Advisory Committee to mitigate ongoing residential flooding issues, a move that was publicly supported by a local resident during the meeting.