Beyond the Green Infrastructure: What do you do with the trash and debris?

摘要

Low Impact Development (LID) storm water management practices (BMPs) are preferred methods for the treatment of stormwater runoff to remove certain pollutants from the runoff before the storm water evapotranspires, enters our streams or recharges groundwater. These systems are preferred because LID BMPs can be retrofitted into the existing landscape to intercept runoff without installation of a large amount of additional infrastructure. The optimum conditions for LID BMP's are where the runoff has low velocity and low volume. LID BMPs are not designed to remove trash and debris from stormwater runoff. Such pollutants are untreated, impair the functionality and in view of LID BMP's. They remain as an unsightly reflection of urban living. Simply put, LID BMPs are only part of the solution for stormwater treatment. Without the use of other technologies in a treatment train configuration, removal of trash and debris will remain beyond the capability of urban LID BMP designs. Fresh Creek Technologies, Inc. recognizes this problem and directs its efforts on developing cost efficient ways to remove trash, debris and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. This approach is complimentary to and an enhancement to LID BMP designs. From their research and development several unique systems have been designed that meet the parameters of sound, scientifically based engineering; low initial installation costs and cost effective long term operation and maintenance.