The brownstone buildings that line the streets of Boston’s South End and Back Bay are a symbol of city living for many. For Wentworth graduates Jacob Leahey, Ryan McTigue and Dan Walton, the buildings have a different story.

Many of these historic brownstones are in danger of collapsing because of low groundwater levels, but these 2005 Wentworth graduates have designed a system to fix the problem in a practical, efficient manner.

Originally built on marshland, many of the buildings are supported by wood pilings the size of telephone poles submerged in water. When the water level falls these pilings are exposed to air and begin to rot.

“For the wood not to rot, the water level must be brought back up so the wood is submerged.” says Assistant Professor Jim Lambrechts of the Civil, Construction and Environmental department, a geotechnical engineer who directed the students on the project.

Their project aims to retain groundwater underneath the homes and introduce a run off back into the ground.  They presented their project on campus on August 26^th to a room filled with city-engineers, state officials, representatives from the Mayor’s Office, MBTA authorities, and officials from the Boston Groundwater Trust.

The low water levels are the result of many contributing factors.  Most of the water leaks into the MBTA subway system through cracks in the system’s tunnels.  The scarcity of grass in the urban landscape prevents the water from draining into the ground.

The students have proposed that the subway lines be fixed and a large “grout curtain” be installed in the area.  The curtain would act like a bathtub, holding water in place and successfully keeping the pilings submerged.  The students use the Berkley-Clarendon St. area as an example.

The advantages of the grate curtain were praised by public officials who were impressed by its low cost and short construction time. Rich Giordano, a representative from State Senator Dianne Wilkerson’s office, said, “This is the innovative idea that we need in the future to fix this problem.”  City Councilor Jim Kelly called it a “very thoughtful and positive solution.” 

The project would take from six to eight months to complete and cost approximately $2 million.  While it could disrupt residences and businesses in the South End, if the work isn’t done, individual owners would have to spend upwards of $250,000 to fix the buildings. 

The low groundwater levels have been a persistent problem in Boston for many years. In the 1980s, four buildings in Chinatown were demolished because of foundation problems arising from low groundwater.  Although it was economically feasible at the time, such an action would not be reasonable in the current market.

“With real estate so expensive, every building is worth saving,” says Lambrechts.

“This problem will not go away. It will constantly need attention,” he added.

As the groundwater levels get lower, so will the level of the houses in the South End.  The students hope their project will be recognized as a viable way to retain water.

“We are presenting a solution that is doable,” says civil engineering technology graduate Jacob Leahey ‘05.  “It is feasible, cost effective and easy to install.”