Environmental Technology Verification Report

of the

Low-Cost Stormwater BMP Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               



Abstract

 

This Technology Verification report describes the nature and scope of an environmental evaluation of catchbasin inserts manufactured by AbTech Industries, AquaSheild, Inc., GeoMarine, Inc., and PacTec, Inc.  The information contained in this report represents data that were collected in a laboratory study.  The study was limited in scope and therefore the information contained within this report should be combined with other evaluations to understand the total capabilities of the inserts.  The data as summarized within this Evaluation Report are being made available and distributed to federal, state, and local governmental regulators and to the stormwater treatment community.  The goal of this report is to provide users and purchasers of the inserts with information they need to make more informed decisions about catchbasin inserts and their stormwater discharge.

 

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

The Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF) and the University of Arkansas would like to thank those persons who participated in the preparation, review, and approval of this protocol.  Due to their efforts, the overall usefulness of this project has been greatly improved.

 

Reviewers:

Larry Jiang, Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF)

Brian Rustia, Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF)

Robert Morgan, Arkansas Soil & Water Conservation Commission

 

Technology Panel Members

Rod Frederick, US Environmental Protection Agency

Patricia Cazenas, US Federal Highway Administration

Rick Brush, Montgomery Co. Maryland Department of Permitting Services

Ron Edwards, Assoc. Director of Operations, University of Arkansas

Greg Boettcher, Public Works Director, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Eric Dunn, Stormwater Engineer, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Kristofor Brye, Asst. Professor, University of Arkansas

 

We also express appreciation to those companies that assisted by providing equipment for completion of the research.  Those companies include: Instrument and Supply Inc. of Hot Springs, AR, Geotechnical Marine Corp, Key West, FL, AbTech Industries, Scottsdale, AZ, AquaShield, Inc. Chattanooga, TN and PacTec, Inc. Clinton, LA.

 

Finally, the project would not have been possible with out the support of the funding agencies.  Funding for this project came from the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, the Arkansas Department of Highways and Transportation (AHTD), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Storm Water Evaluation Component of the FHWA’s Pooled Fund Project (DTFH61-02-X-00010). 

 

FHWA contract Manager: Charles Kotch (202-366-4256)
FHWA Contract Adm. Manager: Bill Kaufmann (202-366-4201)

 

Disclaimer

 

The information in this document has been funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Storm Water Evaluation Component of the FHWA’s Pooled Fund Project (DTFH61-02-X-00010) with the Civil Engineering Research Foundation’s (CERF) Environmental Technology Evaluation Center (EvTEC).  This verification effort has been subjected to CERF’s peer and administrative review.  CERF and FHWA make no expressed or implied warranties as to the performance of the inserts evaluated.  Mention of corporation names, trade names, or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use of specific products.

 

 

 

Verification Statement

 

Civil Engineering Research Foundation’s Verification Statement

for the Low-Cost Stormwater BMP Study

 

Technology Type:                  Stormwater Treatment Technology

 

Application:                            Catchbasin Insert Stormwater Treatment

 

Technology Name:                 Catchbasin Insert BMPs

 

Company:                               AbTech, Industries

Address:                                 4110 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 235

                                                Scottsdale, AZ   85251

Phone:                         800-545-8999

URL:                                       http://www.abtechindustries.com/

 

Company:                               PacTec, Inc.

Address:                                 PO Box 8069

                                                Clinton, LA   70722

Phone:                         800-272-2832

URL:                                       http://www.drainpac.com/

 

Company:                               GeoTechnical Marine Corp.

                                                Advanced Aquatic Products International, Inc.

Address:                                 1107 Key Plaza #201

                                                Key West, FL   33040

Phone:                         305-292-3070

URL:                                       http://www.Hydro-Cartridge.com

 

Company:                               AquaShield, Inc.

Address:                                 2733 Kanasita Dr.

                                                Chattanooga, TN   37343

Phone:                         423-870-8888

URL:                                       http://aquashieldinc.com/

 

Program Operation

The CERF Evaluation Program, in partnership with a panel of experts, objectively and systematically documents the performance of commercial-ready technologies.  Together, with the full participation of the technology developer, they develop plans, conduct tests, collect and analyze data, and report findings.  Verifications are conducted according to a rigorous workplan and established protocols for quality assurance.  CERF’s Evaluation Program acts as an objective third-party evaluation service.   

 

Technology Description

The technology treatment processes used in catchbasin inserts include: screening, sedimentation, absorption, and floatation depending on the manufacturer.  Trash and debris are removed by screening, sediment is removed by sedimentation, whereas, oils, organic chemicals, and hydrocarbons are removed by floatation and absorption.

 

Evaluation Description

The primary objective of the evaluation of catchbasin inserts was to perform well-defined laboratory tests to provide performance data on each manufacturer’s equipment.  The data is summarized with this Evaluation Report are being made available for distribution to federal, state, local environmental regulators and to the stormwater treatment community.  The goal of this report is to provide potential users and purchasers of catchbasin inserts with this information so that they can make informed decision about using catchbasin inserts in their communities.

 

 

Availability of Verification Statement and Report

Copies of the public Verification Statement and Verification Report for the Low-Cost Stormwater BMP Study are available from the following:

 

Civil Engineering Research Foundation

Suite 600

1015 15th Street, NW

Washington, DC    20005

Web site:  http://www.cerf.org/evtec/EVAL/Unofark.htm

 

 

Contents

 

1.0 Introduction. 1

1.1 Technical Background. 1

1.2 Project Goals. 1

1.3 Summary/Overview of Test Program.. 2

2.0 Methods and Materials. 2

2.1  Field Observation. 2

2.2  Pilot Scale Testing. 3

2.3  AbTech Industries. 5

2.4 AquaShield, Inc. 6

2.5  DrainPac. 7

2.6  HydroCartridge. 8

2.7  Analytical Methods. 9

2.8  Sampling Location and Frequency. 9

3.0 Evaluation Project Results. 9

3.1 Field Observations. 9

4.0 Summary. 13

Appendices. 18


List of Tables

 

Table 1.  Accumulated solids analysis from the WAC Parking Lot inserts. 10

Table 2.  Zinc removal efficiency. 13

Table 3.  Quoted cost of inserts. 14

Table 4.  Average pollutant removal percentages. 15

 

 

 

 

List of Figures

 

 

Figure 1.  Schematic of pilot scale setup. 4

Figure 2.  Side view of pilot scale set up. 4

Figure 3.  Top view of simulated catchbasin. 5

Figure 4.  AbTech Industries catchbasin insert. 6

Figure 5.  AquaShield catchbasin insert. 7