 |
Generally, the ScourStop™ system is similar or less expensive than hard armor alternatives on a strictly cost basis. On a life-cost analysis, the ScourStop™ system is easily and clearly the lower cost alternative.
We say ScourStop™ system, because ScourStop™ is not utilized over the entire area as some products are, but is primarily used at the higher stress areas like the scour area at a culvert outlet, the toe of a slope, or a streambank. As with the description of how and where to use ScourStop™, the same variables come into play in trying to answer the cost question – there are just many site specific factors that require a complete engineered design in order to quantify the cost of the project.
|
 |
For example, on a typical, 36 inch storm pipe outlet to a fairly level discharge area where the rock rip rap apron design called for a 8 ft. wide X 36 ft. long apron area; the ScourStop design would typically call for 8 ft. width X 12 ft. length of ScourStop mats, with the balance of coverage designed for some other soil cover, such as turf reinforcement mats. The protection 'system' covering the same number of square feet as the rock rip rap, would be equal to or less than the cost of the installed rock rip rap. It is well-known that soft armor costs are substantially lower than hard armor, and provides significantly more benefits. |
On an actual highway-widening project, consisting of 16 outlets specified and bid for 947 tons of installed rock rip at $47 per ton; ScourStop was chosen as the alternate and came in slightly lower than the original bid. This is quite remarkable because the rock was treated as an incidental cost (no mark-up by the contractor); and ScourStop was bid at full pricing (not knowing the basis of the project).
Click here for more information on this project.
There really is no comparable solution offering all of the same benefits and functions – so there really
can't be apples to apples comparison pricing.
- ScourStop™ is normally fully-vegetated;
- It requires no-maintenance;
- Installation and accessibility to sites is very easy;
- ScourStop™ has the capacity to be a manicured aesthetic, landscape;
- It has 7 times more ballast capacity ...AND 10 times less weight than hard armor;
- ScourStop is fully-compliant and supportive of Phase II minimum requirements for MS4s.
- Accessibility to any site. Hard armor products require heavy equipment and big trucks which may not be able to operate in a confined space; and can destroy existing facilities, like pavement or landscaping.
- Reduces Right-of-Way (ROW) area. Soft armor solutions require less space to move a given volume of water. Often times this 'space’ is Right-of-Way which the owner is giving up. Less space for Right-of-Way, means more `rentable’ space and/or parking for the land owner.
- Natural, aesthetic landscapes are often a premium in a world of 'cold’ concrete streets and brick buildings. Property owners are now insisting on premium landscapes to go with their top-of-the-line facilities.
- Alternatively, property owners (even DOTs) are avoiding rock rip rap because of poor aesthetics with over-grown weeds, dense debris accumulation, poor performance history, and safety issues. These problems equate to significant maintenance dollars which are harder and harder to justify.
- NPDES Phase II compliance is a major factor in many MS4 operational strategies. Hard armor does not meet any of these requirements; and in fact, accentuates the compliance costs through inspection and subsequent required maintenance (when the rock fails in 1-5 years, it must be maintained and repaired because it is a post-construction storm water runoff control).
- NPDES Phase II minimum requirements call for MS4s to reduce pollutants in post-construction runoff. Rule # 5 offers suggestions for structural controls: Infiltration controls and Vegetative controls - to filter pollutants and recharge ground water – neither are satisfied by hard armor. Click to NPDES Phase II Minimum Rule # 5.
- Ease and speed of installation. A contractor can install 100 sq. ft. per man hour. A smaller pick-up truck and hand tools are potentially the only equipment and tools needed.
- Extensive installation savings. No large equipment. No large excavations. No big trucks. Lover overhead costs. Less costly on-site management.
- Fewer safety issues for both the installer and the ultimate property owners.
- Local approval for 404 permits. Minimizing the excavation and fill requirements for a project will likely enable local permit approval – requiring less than 8 weeks; and avoiding multi-year permit approval if your permit goes to the federal level.
- 10 times more ‘hold down’ capacity with 7 times less weight means no worries about ground settlement under levees and embankments or over ‘soft’ soils.
