10^th Biennial Georgia Water Resources Conference Abstract

Stormwater Treatment: Field Demonstration and Evaluation

Pollution reduction in the Conasauga River is a high priority for Georgia due to the remaining biological diversity of the Conasauga.  Home to 76 native species of fish, more than the Columbia and Colorado rivers combined, the Conasauga serves residential, agricultural, and carpet industry needs in and around Dalton.  Segments of the river are impaired due to sediment, nutrients, and fecal coliform bacteria from septic systems, agriculture, and stormwater runoff.  A field demonstration project was implemented in 2004 to reduce stormwater pollution by using a hydrodynamic swirl separator manufactured by AquaShield™ Inc.  The system was installed at Whitfield County Public Works (WCPW), a 30-acre site.  To evaluate field performance, automatic flow samplers collected runoff from four events for oils and grease (O&G) and total suspended sediments (TSS).  The swirl separator captured 2-3 inches of sediment per month from the site.  The WCPW site also served as a field testing site for the AquaShield™ mobile filtration treatment system.  Grab samples collected during simulated storm events were analyzed for TSS and particle size distribution.  Removal efficiencies of the filtration system were greater than 80% for TSS.  Success of this project is measured by the field observations of sediment kept out of the Conasauga River system from this one site.