Field Study of Catch Basin Inserts for the Removal of Pollutants from Urban Runoff

Abstract

Non-point source (NPS) pollution, unlike point source pollution from domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. It is caused by the movement of rainfall or snowmelt that picks up and carries pollutants to receiving waters. NPS pollution represents the main cause of contamination of many rivers, streams and other water bodies of many developed countries. Best management practices (BMPs) are intended to reduce NPS pollutants, particularly those from highway runoff, e.g., oil and grit separators, grassed swales, vegetated filter strips, retention ponds, and catch basin inserts. A catch basin insert (CBIs) is a device that reduces stormwater pollution from runoff, without requiring any land use because it is typically mounted within a catch basin. In this study, six commercially-available CBIs were installed and monitored at sites along highways in Westchester County that are under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Transportation. The study focused on the CBI installation characteristics, durability and maintenance of the catch basin inserts, as well as whether the inserts can be conveniently, safely, and economically installed and maintained. The CBIs were the Ultra-Urban® Filter, StreamGuard\(_{\mbox{{\texttrademark}}}\) Passive Skimmer, StreamGuard\(_{\mbox{{\texttrademark}}}\) Catch Basin Insert, FloGard Filter\(_{\mbox{{\texttrademark}}}\), Hydro-Kleen\(_{\mbox{{\texttrademark}}}\) Filtration System, Silt Sack®.