Audit Reveals Major Flaws in Clinch Splash Pad Design

A draft audit report of the Clinch Park splash pad reveals numerous design flaws within the water feature – flaws which could cost the city tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. 

The city hired Wisconsin-based Water Technology Inc. in January to identify the extent of design problems with the William G. Milliken Waterscape after a mechanical failure last summer exposed a half-dozen children to sewage-contaminated water. Water Technology's audit, obtained by The Ticker, outlines 18 significant flaws or issues with the splash pad, along with possible repair options and projected costs. Identified issues include:

* The water feature area and pad floods in moderate to heavy rains. “There are no provisions to shed site water away from the water feature and its immediate surroundings,” the report notes. Repair options range from $3,000-$25,000.

* Concrete curbs were added to select locations to contain and direct the water flow, in lieu of the domed finish surfaced originally described in the design. “The concrete curbs as installed present a safety concern in the form of trip and fall hazards and sharp corners,” according to the report. The consultants also note that “the domed surface described in the contract documents is extremely intricate and labor intensive...if the 'trade' for the curbs is what happened, the city did not receive an equal value in this trade.” Repair options range from $2,800-$8,000.

* The domed surface is slippery when wet. “The domed surface, based upon its intended use, should be a non-slip surface,” says the report. Repair options range from $1,200-$4,500.

* The “Arched Rain Bar” feature does not work properly and is climbable. “The feature's maximum height of 10' above the concrete surface makes a fall a serious issue,” the report notes. Repair options range from $0-$15,000 to make the feature work properly and $500-$65,000 to fix the climbing issues, including the possible entire replacement of the feature.

* The LED lights on the Arched Rain Bar are inappropriate for an interactive water feature and are operationally difficult to winterize ($0-$10,000 to repair), and concrete around the spray ring is cracking and deteriorating ($6,000-$35,000 to repair). In addition, the spray ring nozzles clog frequently ($15,000-$22,000 to repair), the installed piping is not code complaint ($4,000-$50,000 to repair) and the perimeter stream trough does not flow properly, has areas that pond water and traps debris ($2,000-$40,000 to repair). Plant clippings, mulch and sand also clog the system, requiring frequent cleaning by staff ($0-$50,000 to repair).

* The water feature uses excessive amounts of water because “the existing Clinch Park reservoir is likely undersized by a factor of 2.5 times,” according to the report. The filtration also “seems undersized, requiring backwash of system every half hour on busy days ($6,000-$65,000 to repair). Other issues identified: the auto-fill for the water feature is difficult to monitor and repair ($2,000-$4,500 to repair), and chemical treatment reservoirs are difficult to monitor and fill, requiring service three times per week ($1,500-$4,000 to repair).

The report also notes that the water feature requires “on-site staff during all operational hours,” though it did not provide estimated costs for such personnel.

Ottenwess notes that Water Technology's report is in draft form and as such is “incomplete and should not be relied upon to draw any conclusions,” adding that the document “will likely have changes before it is provided by the consultant in a final form.” He expects to receive the final report within the next two weeks.

After a copy of the audit was released to city commissioners yesterday, Mayor Michael Estes wrote in an email to Ottenwess that he was “disappointed that the commission did not get the report previously” and that the issue “needs to be (addressed in) a study session soon.” The city is expected to use the audit to determine how to proceed with legal proceedings against Hamilton Anderson Associates, the design firm behind the splash pad which city officials have alleged did not satisfactorily fulfill their responsibilities in identifying permit requirements and design review.