Stormwater Filters Installed In Berks County Pennsylvania

Fabco Teams Up With Distributor On Stormwater Filter Retrofit

In cooperation with the Berks County Pennsylvania Conservation District (BCCD), Fabco the stormwater filter manufacturer and Exeter Supply Company, its Eastern PA product distribution partner, installed a StormBasin™ Filter Cartridge Catch Basin Insert to demonstrate its operation and maintenance as a decentralized stormwater retrofit best management practice (BMP).

In February 2013, a 2-cartridge StormBasin™ was installed into a drop inlet catch basin in the parking area of the conservation district’s offices in Leesport, PA as a component of the district’s innovative effort to develop and maintain a stormwater BMP interpretive trail. The trail was developed to educate visitors about stormwater management, non-point source pollution and BMP strategies for reducing water pollution that can be implemented at home, at work, or in the community.

After observing the installation process, the BCCD staff monitored the function of the StormBasin™ under different seasons, climates and types of precipitation events. The BCCD later facilitated a maintenance demonstration with Fabco and Exeter during a Stormwater Retrofit Training Session for stormwater managers and engineering consultants led by the non-profit Center for Watershed Protection (http://www.cwp.org/) in October 2013.

The StormBasin™ maintenance demonstration (Click Here for video) included removing collected sediments, floatables and debris from the insert using vactor equipment, changing the filter cartridges, and estimating the amount of material captured by the insert and filters over a 9 month time period utilizing a weight scale. Fabco generally recommends biannual clean out of inserts and an annual change of filter cartridges.

The StormBasin™ was observed to have functioned as designed during the demonstration period and there were no reported issues with flow even during high volume precipitation events due to its hooded bypass design.  A number of maintenance demonstration observers noted the amount of stormwater pollutants that were captured by the insert and filter cartridges in just 9 months while others commented on the speed of cleaning out the insert using vacuum equipment and replacement of filter cartridges.

Fabco applauds the BCCD (http://berkscd.com/) for taking the initiative to demonstrate various stormwater management practices in the field through its BMP interpretive trail and to provide increased educational opportunities for communities to learn about innovative stormwater practices.

Berks County Conservation District In addition to being an education partner for the Berks County MS4 Steering Committee, the Berks County Conservation District puts on several programs throughout the year regarding stormwater. The District also handles complaints regarding stormwater on construction sites. They also review erosion and sedimentation plans for development projects.

Berks County Water and Sewer Association SWP Program This first in the state program which was formalized through the approval of the Berks County Source Water Plan, is a new organization that will be holding many activities as previously discussed. Who you can work with Berks Nature Berks Nature is an Education Partner working with the BCMS4SC.

Berks Nature holds numerous events and programs throughout the year that educate county residents on the mission of clean water. Schuylkill Action Network The Schuylkill Action Network was formed through a partnership of the Delaware Estuary, DEP and the Philadelphia Water Department to look at the entire Schuylkill River watershed. They have several subcommittees which collectively work towards goals of stormwater quality and awareness.

STORMWATER FILTRATION AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

WHEN IT RAINS, IT DRAINS! Your whole family can help keep common pollutants like pesticides, pet waste, and lawn care products out of our waterways! Rain water that has picked up contaminants from lawns, sidewalks, driveways, and roads can flow directly into a storm drain and affect areas used for swimming, boating, and drinking water reservoirs.

LAWN & GARDEN • Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly! Avoid applying if the weather forecast calls for rain; otherwise chemicals could be washed into your local stream. • Sweep up yard debris instead of hosing down dirty areas. • Cover piles of topsoil or mulch to prevent sediment from blowing or washing off your yard. • Blowing grass clippings in the street can also block storm drains or add pollutants to water.

PET CARE • Remember to be a good neighbor and pick up your pet’s waste! Leaving waste on the ground can be a health risk by the bacteria that can be washed into a storm drain with rain water.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE • Wash your vehicle on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty water flowing into a storm drain. Or take your vehicle to a wash facility….they recycle the water used! • Check your vehicles for leaks and drips…these small drips on the road can be picked up with rainwater. • Be sure to clean up spilled fluids to avoid contamination of water into storm drains. • Recycle used motor oil or other fluids at a participating service station. NEVER pour these wastes down a drain!

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS • Sweep up debris before it can be washed away with storm water and obstruct the storm drain or contaminate a waterway. • Increase the vegetated yard area to help with water filtration.