Now ye're talking - to a council engineer

Boards.ie: Niamh

Our next guest is an engineer - from himself:

I am an Engineer working for an Urban Local Authority (Council). I work on projects involving surface water. I worked privately for a number of years before this. Feel free to ask me anything!

D3V!L

Why is drainage of surface water such a problem in Ireland ?

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

One reason is because hard ground cover has replaced green areas. Then the water accumulates.

Skuxx

What hours do you work?

listermint

Do you lads make jokes in the office about 7 lads leaning on 1 spade. or is that just outside people looking in jokes

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

Skuxx wrote: »

What hours do you work?

same as most other people, 9 to half 5

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

listermint wrote: »

Do you lads make jokes in the office about 7 lads leaning on 1 spade. or is that just outside people looking in jokes

to be honest, its like any other job i've been in. no one really makes those jokes. I think maybe years ago it was different.

listermint

If you were given a budget of 100 Million and free reign what would be the very first initial project youd hope to see started. national or regional can be either.

Mooooo

Have the fisheries total control over the rivers or can they be dredged at any time of the year? If thst was done including smaller rivers it would solve half the problems surely?

eurokev

What kind of work did you do in private industry?

What kind of qualifications do you have?? Have you a trade background??

What kind of age profile are you? If you don't mind me asking - and how long have you spent working in the council/privately. I would just always think money in the council would be far less than out privately, plus less perks like bonuses or health insurance, but this might be my own ignorance

Lmklad

Dunno if you can answer this one and no worries if you can’t

Last year the road outside my place was resurfaced, I live on a gently sloping road. Since the resurfacing rain water from the road now flows into my drive, flooding it with about an inch of water. The nearest drain is just the other side of my entrance. During the resurfacing the driveways uphill of me all got a “lip” of tarmac to deflect the water out of their drives.

I have written to a local councillor who lives on the same road (last February) and a couple times since and while he is very nice I’ve not had any help.

Any glue who I should contact directly?

Regards

Slutmonkey57b

Why do Irish roads (even new ones) still employ those limited size, flat to the road, easily clogged grates? Given the volume of water that falls, and the account of leaves/mud that accumulates, and the lack of appropriate grading, it means that of the half of the grates which actually get feed with water, half of them are blocked.

Surely we'd be better off building large storm grates like you see in the US? Or is there a technical reason not to?

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

listermint wrote: »

If you were given a budget of 100 Million and free reign what would be the very first initial project youd hope to see started. national or regional can be either.

This will be a really boring answer. I would read the local development plan and put it towards projects off that.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

Mooooo wrote: »

Have the fisheries total control over the rivers or can they be dredged at any time of the year? If thst was done including smaller rivers it would solve half the problems surely?

I'll be honest, i dont know anything about dredging rivers. Ive never carried out that work.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

eurokev wrote: »

What kind of work did you do in private industry?

What kind of qualifications do you have?? Have you a trade background??

What kind of age profile are you? If you don't mind me asking - and how long have you spent working in the council/privately. I would just always think money in the council would be far less than out privately, plus less perks like bonuses or health insurance, but this might be my own ignorance

I carried out design work for a consultant in the same area.
I have a masters in engineering.
I'm in my 30's. Making more now than I did before.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

Slutmonkey57b wrote: »

Why do Irish roads (even new ones) still employ those limited size, flat to the road, easily clogged grates? Given the volume of water that falls, and the account of leaves/mud that accumulates, and the lack of appropriate grading, it means that of the half of the grates which actually get feed with water, half of them are blocked.

Surely we'd be better off building large storm grates like you see in the US? Or is there a technical reason not to?

Everything in design is chosen for a reason. Each individual case is different, that's all i can say basically.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

Lmklad wrote: »

Dunno if you can answer this one and no worries if you can’t

Last year the road outside my place was resurfaced, I live on a gently sloping road. Since the resurfacing rain water from the road now flows into my drive, flooding it with about an inch of water. The nearest drain is just the other side of my entrance. During the resurfacing the driveways uphill of me all got a “lip” of tarmac to deflect the water out of their drives.

I have written to a local councillor who lives on the same road (last February) and a couple times since and while he is very nice I’ve not had any help.

Any glue who I should contact directly?

Regards

Customer services in your local authority followed by a picture in an email.

vodkatime

What is career progression like in the council compared to private sector?

Is the job less stressful compared the private sector?

Is a council job still considered a job for life or do you think you will move back to the private sector.

Is it true that the council only hire from within or from other councils once you get past executive engineer level.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

vodkatime wrote: »

What is career progression like in the council compared to private sector?

Is the job less stressful compared the private sector?

Is a council job still considered a job for life or do you think you will move back to the private sector.

Is it true that the council only hire from within or other from other councils once you get past executive engineer level.

From what i understand, career progression is tough but doable.

I dont know what ill do, il take it as it comes. I took the job because i like the offer, id take another offer if i liked it.

Past executive level is through the public appointment service and not internal.

godtabh

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA wrote: »

One reason is because hard ground cover has replaced green areas. Then the water accumulates.

It’s a bit more complicated than that. No local area engineer let alone councils worked from the same standards. No consistency

AndrewJRenko

Is your Council any better than mine at responding to FixMyStreet reports? Because mine is fairly crap. In some cases, potholes are fixed after a few days. Other potholes are still there years later, after multiple reports. It took six months and several escalations to Councillors and the CEO to get a simple pavement reinstated to a proper standard. I'm not jumping up and down expecting stuff stuff to be done on demand - but if they could just have told me it would be 3 months or 6 months or whatever.

What kind of list or prioritisation system is in place for jobs like this? Is there any management visibility to lists of outstanding stuff, or size of backlog? Does anyone measure or monitor response time to queries?

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

godtabh wrote: »

It’s a bit more complicated than that. No local area engineer let alone councils worked from the same standards. No consistency

That's why I mentioned 'one reason'.

godtabh

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA wrote: »

That's why I mentioned 'one reason'.

Your reply gave the reason for the build up of water not why drainage of surface water such a problem in Ireland.

Gumbo

godtabh wrote: »

It’s a bit more complicated than that. No local area engineer let alone councils worked from the same standards. No consistency

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA wrote: »

That's why I mentioned 'one reason'.

godtabh wrote: »

Your reply gave the reason for the build up of water not why drainage of surface water such a problem in Ireland.

Another problem is the shear lack of people who will comply with the Regulations such as SUDS or the Greater Dublin Drainage Strategy.

Just this week I got a call from a home owner asking if we can omit the attenuation tanks on a small development because he didn't want to spend the money. Added to the fact that more and more people are not concreting or paving their gardens and reducing the natural soakage through grass areas and soil.

Interesting AMA OP, enjoy.

D3V!L

godtabh wrote: »

Your reply gave the reason for the build up of water not why drainage of surface water such a problem in Ireland.

I wasn't expecting any more than a short answer on it. :rolleyes:

godtabh

kceire wrote: »

Another problem is the shear lack of people who will comply with the Regulations such as SUDS or the Greater Dublin Drainage Strategy.

Just this week I got a call from a home owner asking if we can omit the attenuation tanks on a small development because he didn't want to spend the money. Added to the fact that more and more people are not concreting or paving their gardens and reducing the natural soakage through grass areas and soil.

Interesting AMA OP, enjoy.

I've had meetings with the same LA and same engineer on different projects where climate change requirements vary from 10%-50% without any reasoning given. As designers consistency would be great!

junglejim1

Hi, my neighbour is building a "shed" up against my boundary. It's footprint is 26.2 sq m. Is the exemption of 25 sq m the actual floor area or overall footprint?
Thanks

Gumbo

junglejim1 wrote: »

Hi, my neighbour is building a "shed" up against my boundary. It's footprint is 26.2 sq m. Is the exemption of 25 sq m the actual floor area or overall footprint?
Thanks

The 25 Sq. M exemption for sheds is based on the internal floor area.

Don't forget, there's also a height restriction of 3m (flat roof) and 4m (pitched roof) and you must have 25 Sq. M of a rear garden remaining.

rameire

Is your workload mainly constrained due to budgetary controls or is there monies set aside for good projects that just pop up.
The work that you complete, does it have to get passed by people who haven't a clue what they are doing first? Thus reducing the overall effect of what you could be doing?

LeinsterDub

Who's responsible for maintaining drains and shores? The ones in Dublin city are always blocked

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

godtabh wrote: »

Your reply gave the reason for the build up of water not why drainage of surface water such a problem in Ireland.

I feel I adequately answered the question. Hope this helps.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

rameire wrote: »

Is your workload mainly constrained due to budgetary controls or is there monies set aside for good projects that just pop up.
The work that you complete, does it have to get passed by people who haven't a clue what they are doing first? Thus reducing the overall effect of what you could be doing?

Everything has to be budgeted and accounted for. There are funds set aside for projects as they arise also.

The work I do is always passed onto a wide range of people. Some in my fields and some not, there are always people that want changes.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

LeinsterDub wrote: »

Who's responsible for maintaining drains and shores? The ones in Dublin city are always blocked

If its within the pubic domain , its local authority. if its on private property, the landowner.

HonalD

Did you join a trade union?

Do you have flexi time?

Have you had to answer questions in the Council Chamber from local councilors?

The Tetrarch

Does every bit of work have a job number, a budget, a timeframe, a boss, underllings, and is there a review afterwards?
Have they every thrown a party / barbecue for a job well done?

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

HonalD wrote: »

Did you join a trade union?

Do you have flexi time?

Have you had to answer questions in the Council Chamber from local councilors?

I do have flexi time, a good option but for me its easier to have a set time personally.

I do not have to answer questions in the council chamber.

I'm a Council Engineer, AMA

The Tetrarch wrote: »

Does every bit of work have a job number, a budget, a timeframe, a boss, underllings, and is there a review afterwards?
Have they every thrown a party / barbecue for a job well done?

Well everything we do is assigned to a job, there is a schedule to work to. Just like privately, everything gets checked my boss. Reviews are important parts of projects in order to improve. Ive never heard of underllings.

Ive never been part of a party or bbq for a job well done. Fridays drinks after work among some colleagues is common but nothing to do with the job.

myshirt

Why is nearly every manhole in this country not level with the road? There is either a dip, or a protusion, and both can damage the wheels on cars.

Edit: Shout-out to all the cyclists who nearly broke their neck on the back of a shoddy manhole installation.

Czhornet

Do you have a schedule in place for road gully cleaning? Preventative maintenance helps a lot, instead of getting loads of irate calls about road flooding!

Igotadose

I'm thinking of replacing the berm that runs along the road in front of the house, with a solid wall made from concrete block, covered in the sandstone that is used on walls throughout the area including other parts of our property. Is council approval needed for this sort of work? It (the wall) would be entirely on our property and neighbors around us have similar walls.

Tow

kceire wrote: »

The 25 Sq. M exemption for sheds is based on the internal floor area.

Like you, I initially through it was 25sqm of the internal area (as for house extensions). But, after a neighbour got into trouble and from reading the regs in more detail, the limit for sheds appears to be the external area.

In reality it seems to vary from Co Co to Co Co and the actual inspector who comes out for a look.

horse7

Can you please explain the journey of rain water from the moment it falls on the roof of a house to where it finishes please?

Salthillprom

What grade are you?

Are you permanent or on a fixed-term/specific or temporary contract?

Are you in some kind of General Design section? Or are you in Roads?

How long have you worked in your local authority?

Salthillprom

Tow wrote: »

kceire wrote: »

The 25 Sq. M exemption for sheds is based on the internal floor area.

Like you, I initially through it was 25sqm of the internal area (as for house extensions). But, after a neighbour got into trouble and from reading the regs in more detail, the limit for sheds appears to be the external area.

In reality it seems to vary from Co Co to Co Co and the actual inspector who comes out for a look.

If in doubt get a Section 5 Declaration from your Planning Authority (for exempted development)

Gumbo

Tow wrote: »

Like you, I initially through it was 25sqm of the internal area (as for house extensions).

I can confirm its internal floor area. I never initially thought it was anything else.

You can build a garage, carport, shed, greenhouse, kennel for domestic pets etc., as long as it does not extend out in front of the building line of the house and does not exceed 4 metres in height, (if it has a tiled or slated pitched roof), or 3 metres (if it has any other roof type). The floor area limitation for exempted development is 25 square metres.

From Here

Tow wrote: »

But, after a neighbour got into trouble

Did you hear this first hand or see the actual wording of the Enforcement Action? It sounds like pub talk to be honest. You don't "get into trouble", you get issued with enforcement action.

Tow wrote: »

In reality it seems to vary from Co Co to Co Co and the actual inspector who comes out for a look.

No it doesn't. The Regulations for exempted development are National. Every Council work off the same Regulation.
Schedule 2 Part 1 Class 3

horse7

It's not an interview.

AndrewJRenko

ICYMI

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Is your Council any better than mine at responding to FixMyStreet reports? Because mine is fairly crap. In some cases, potholes are fixed after a few days. Other potholes are still there years later, after multiple reports. It took six months and several escalations to Councillors and the CEO to get a simple pavement reinstated to a proper standard. I'm not jumping up and down expecting stuff stuff to be done on demand - but if they could just have told me it would be 3 months or 6 months or whatever.

What kind of list or prioritisation system is in place for jobs like this? Is there any management visibility to lists of outstanding stuff, or size of backlog? Does anyone measure or monitor response time to queries?

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Tow

kceire wrote: »

No it doesn't. The Regulations for exempted development are National. Every Council work off the same Regulation.
Schedule 2 Part 1 Class 3

He was told to reduce its size or apply for retension, in the end the builder rebuilt one side to reduce its length.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/si/600/made/en/print#sched2

2. The total area of such structures constructed, erected or placed within the curtilage of a house shall not, taken together with any other such structures previously constructed, erected or placed within the said curtilage, exceed 25 square metres.

It unfortunately does does not state internal or external, unless another part of the legislation covers this, so CoCos interpret as they like...

I have a written reply from one of the planners in DLR Co Co stating:

I refer to your recent query regarding the permitted square metres of a shed or similar structure, I attached Class 3 of the Planning and Development Regulations regarding same.

I can confirm that the 25sq metres referred to is a total area as no reference is made to floor area.

My interest is to build by own shed (24~25sqm external), across the width of the back garden. One neighbor has theirs from the late 60s, when the other neighbor tried to build his a few years ago, his other neighbor complained.

Boards.ie: Niamh

I'm afraid it's time to close this one up, thanks to our guest for taking the time to answer some questions. Hopefully you all found it informative.