HESCO work to take place on September 3 on Pompe Way

Barrier seepage reduction efforts to take place ahead of winter

Reno, Nev. August 30, 2019. In preparation for upcoming winter weather conditions and in response to community feedback regarding water seepage, the Washoe County Field Utilities Staff will be performing work to further prevent seepage beneath the HESCO barriers surrounding Swan Lake on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

The work will be a trial application of bentonite, which is a naturally-occurring clay product. Two different gradations of bentonite will be used to test for the most effective seepage reduction.  

Bentonite is a safe material used for plugging wells and also in consumer products like make-up and food additives, and is drinking water certified. Washoe County crews will be applying approximately 12 tons of this material by hand and with a front-loader over the HESCO barriers in this test study. All activities will be performed on Pompe Way by the Washoe County Utilities Field Staff.

Visible bentonite testing work along Pompe Way will begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 and expected to finish by the end of the day.

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has permitted this activity. Results of the testing will help determine if additional applications around other areas of the lake will be beneficial to reducing lake water seepage.

For non-emergency questions relating to the additional protections on Pompe Way or to sign up for email notifications, please click here or contact Washoe311, by dialing 3-1-1 from any phone or 775-328-2003.

###