I have some experience with this and we have installed several successful
systems of both of the following approaches.
One approach is to treat the stormwater once generated through the use of
bio-filtration strips and constructed wetlands. Both of these actually
break down the petroleum and other pollutants. The micro organisms that
live on the root hairs of the plants break down the pollutants for use by
the plants as nutrients. We have done these as part of Pollution Prevention
Measures for Industrial Facilities and as part of stormwater designs on
large developments.
The other approach is to not generate the stormwater in the first place
through the use of pervious surface paving schemes. The idea is to let the
soil microbes degrade the wastes. Gravel paving is one way but then there
are not the plants to facilitate the microbe population. So we have used
cellular soil confinement systems for low-volume roads and overflow parking
areas that structurally reinforce the soil and allow grass to grow to
facilitate the growth of the microbes. The product we have used is called
Geoweb.
All of these projects are in Western Washington State.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher J. Webb
Project Engineer
2020 ENGINEERING "To provide simple economical solutions
2500 Elm Street to complex environmental issues...
Bellingham, WA 98225 USA ...to meet future needs."
360-671-2020 360-671-0322 fax
http://www.az.com/~cwebb
"cwebb@az.com"
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