Bethesda residents want WSSC to "drain the swamp" their contractor created on their properties (Photos)

This morning's torrential downpour and a WSSC contractor's staging area conspired to create a literal swamp in adjacent yards near Bethesda Country Club. Today's deluge wasn't the first problem caused by the staging area, which is located at 7731 Bradley Boulevard. Neighbors have complained to the utility and to the Montgomery County Council, to no avail so far.

The staging area has been in place for WSSC's Bradmoor Drive 20" water main replacement project since August 15, 2016. That project, which involves replacing more than a mile of iron water main, is not expected to be completed before September 2018. Last summer, residents say, dust from the staging area was a problem, as well as flooding of adjacent property, and noise. Those issues have continued.

Neighbors have asked that the staging area, which they say they received no advance notice of, be relocated. In a letter from WSSC to one resident, the utility says their contractor decides where the staging area for a project will be located. For this project, WSSC's Deputy General Manager for Operations Joseph Mantua wrote that the contractor, A&M Concrete, has scouted other locations, and has found none large enough to accommodate it. Mantua added that the County Department of Permitting Services has expressed concerns over other possible locations, stating that the impacts would be too great on nearby schools, traffic and residential areas.

Of course, that leaves residents near the current staging area wondering why those concerns aren't protecting them. "Someone has to explain to me why the county is not protecting us from such things and who will pay for clean up," one resident wrote this morning of the "river of mud," and the mess it has caused. "[W]hy is THIS NEIGHBORHOOD of LESS IMPORTANCE than other neighborhoods !!!!" another resident wrote to Councilmember Roger Berliner's office. "Why is OUR PEACE LESS IMPORTANT than other neighborhoods ????"

For its part, WSSC told the resident, the utility has made several site visits, and proclaimed everything to be peachy-keen. WSSC "found no issues with cleanliness, traffic impacts and/or safety," Mantua wrote. They promised the contractor would screen off the side of the staging area facing Bradley Boulevard, but that's not the side that presents and eyesore to residents currently. Mantua said the contractor has promised to not start before 7:00 AM, but residents say that wasn't among the problems they've been complaining about.

Mantua wrote that if the staging area is moved, it would have to be broken up into smaller staging areas around the neighborhood. The locations of those potential smaller sites are unknown at this time.

Neighbors are growing frustrated with the lack of response by WSSC and the County Council. "This is INSANE!" one said. Well, we know the Council spent some hours in a catered luncheon at taxpayer expense this week...

Flood postpones Little Falls Library reopening indefinitely

The flood at Little Falls Library in Bethesda a week ago will indeed delay the planned reopening of the building. Montgomery County's Department of Public Libraries says the January opening has been postponed indefinitely.

While MCPL staff declined to answer my inquiry the morning after the flood, they now say the cause was a burst 4" fire main pipe, which deluged the lower level and mechanical room of the library. They say the building's electrical and mechanical systems were damaged, but do not address whether new carpets, furniture, etc. had been installed yet.

It sounds like nearby residents will continue to be without a library for some time. The Davis Library in Bethesda remains on-track for a February reopening. Both libraries have been closed since July for renovations.

Flood at Little Falls Library in Bethesda

Early last evening, firetrucks could be seen in the parking lot up behind the Little Falls Library at 5501 Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda. Large utility trucks were parked in the driveway that leads up to the library and Westland Middle School. Men in safety vests were searching the property with flashlights. And there appeared to be excavation equipment on the front lawn of the library.

I asked Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer if there had been a gas leak. Piringer said the basement level of the library had flooded, and the WSSC was called in. Pepco also had to send a crew to turn off power to the library.

Due to the after hours timing of the incident, I do not yet have a statement from Montgomery County Public Libraries regarding how the flood and resulting damage might impact the reopening of the library. Expected to reopen as early as this month, it's certainly possible that the new carpeting and possibly other upgrades had been installed by now. The library has been closed since July for renovations.

Stay tuned for more information as I receive it.

WHAT DOES ISAAC HAVE IN STORE FOR BETHESDA AND THE DC AREA? - HURRICANE FORECAST, BETHESDA WEATHER

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ISAAC UPDATE

As Tropical Storm Isaac nears landfall in the Gulf Region, it's natural for Bethesda residents to wonder what the storm may do to the Washington, DC area when it arrives this coming weekend.

My prediction?  Rain, rain and more rain.  But - power outages and toppling trees (due to saturated soil, more than wind) aside - the remnants of Isaac should not be very destructive.

There are several indications why this should be the case.  First, Isaac appears to be a bit of a wimp.  Given that the storm has been over warm waters in the Gulf, but has failed to gain much additional steam or fury, it is unlikely to power up enough to carry destructive force very far inland.

Second, Isaac has been tracking slightly west.  The closer it lands to Texas, the more land it will have to cross to reach the Mid-Atlantic states.  Since land is the kryptonite of hurricanes, Isaac simply won't have much punch by Sunday or Monday.

Finally, Isaac has shown it can produce flooding.  Isaac reminds me of Tropical Storm Lee just about one year ago.  Another "wimp," but do you remember how long Lee's remnants rained on Bethesda days later?

So, I predict no need to take unusual emergency precautions here for Isaac.  But should Isaac take a similar path back to the Atlantic as Lee, there could be flash flood risks around the DC area.

Hold off on any major outdoor plans for Saturday - and especially Sunday and Monday.  We'll know a lot more of what - if anything - to expect from Isaac as the next few days unfold.

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC BULLETIN

CURRENT LOCATION:  185 miles SSE of Biloxi, MS
WINDS:  70 MPH
MOVING:  NW at 7 MPH

+Louis Armstrong and Pensacola airports closed

+Amtrak suspends service into/out of New Orleans through Wednesday

+LA Gov. Bobby Jindal mobilizes 4000 National Guard troops

Click here to find out about the Hurricane Simulator in Bethesda!  

Stay tuned for all the latest Bethesda hurricane news.   And tune your Twitter to @BethesdaRow!  Count on Robert Dyer for the helpful, hyperlocal Bethesda emergency weather coverage you need 24/7.