BMP and Runoff assessments
OWP research staff have
provided assistance with multiple aspects related to BMP
and runoff assessments, including:
- Study planning
- Feasibility studies
- Runoff discharge characterization
- BMP verification
- Monitoring protocols
- Data evaluation and statistical analysis
- Toxicity testing
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Caltrans BMP Verification Studies
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OWP has provided technical assistance to the
California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) Division of Environmental Analysis
for almost 20 years. OWP has supported Caltrans
and its consultants in dozens of best management
practice (BMP) verification studies, including
vegetated strips and swales, sand and
alternative media filters, bioretention systems,
chemical treatment, litter and gross solids
removal devices, infiltration systems, and
porous pavement are some of the BMPs evaluated.
To support and align these studies, OWP
participated in development of Caltrans BMP
Pilot Study Guidance Manual, Stormwater
Monitoring Guidance Manual, Treatment BMP
Technology Report, and Hydrologic Utility Tool.
Contact: Kevin
Murphy
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Caltrans Runoff Characterization Studies
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Contact: Kevin
Murphy
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Caltrans Feasibility Studies
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The California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) has conducted several studies to
assess the potential for BMP implementation
based on others experiences. Examples have
included literature reviews and/or design
modifications for deicers, upflow media filters,
treatment bags, disinfection, subsurface flow
wetlands, and litter screens. For these
reconnaissance studies, OWP assistance in
identifying existing literature and Caltrans
relevant practices, as well as peer review.
Contact: Kevin
Murphy
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Kristar Filter Evaluations
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OWP conducted laboratory evaluations of the
hydraulic and pollutant reduction performance of
a The KriStar PerkFilterTM and the Kristar
TreePod®. Clean water was used to estimate
hydraulic capacity at different water depths up
to bypass conditions. For the PerkFilterTM,
pollutant removal was estimated by measuring the
water quality before and after loading the
filters with synthetic stormwater. Both ground
silica and street dust were used as a sediment
source. For the TreePod® pollutant removal was
estimated by measuring the water quality of the
influent and effluent of the filter.
Representative influent concentrations were
achieved by using street dust that was collected
from street sweepers and sieved to exclude
particles larger than 75 microns.
Report/Study Links: KriStar Perk
Filter™
Contact: Brian
Currier
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BASMAA CW4CB Retrofit Pilot Study
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OWP served as part of a team for the Clean
Watersheds for a Clean Bay (CW4CB) project
funded by the EPA and administered by the Bay
Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association
(BASMAA). OWP’s effort included preparing
the BMP retrofit study plan and assisting with
the siting of monitoring equipment, data
analysis, and reporting.
Contact: Brian
Currier
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BASMAA Bioretention Mix Column Study
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OWP, in partnership with EOA inc., Kennetic
Laboratories, Inc., and San Francisco Estuary
Institute (SFEI), provided an evaluation of
biochar-amended bioretention soil mix (BSM) for
PCB and mercury reduction. OWP performed
saturated hydraulic conductivity tests of BSM
and biochar blends. OWP also performed water
quality tests using 8-inch columns that were
constructed in our on-site laboratory
facilities. In related studies, OWP provided
input on the study design to investigate PCB
occurrence in caulk and was the primary author
of the study design to evaluate PCB removal in
hydrodynamic separators (HDS) units. All three
studies were sponsored by the Bay Area
Stormwater Management Agencies Association
(BASMAA).
Contact: Brian
Currier
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Engineered Soils to Remove Barriers to LID
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In 2013, OWP was awarded a Proposition 84 grant
from the State Water Board’s Stormwater Grant
Program: Engineered Soils to Remove Barriers to
LID. For this project, several different
engineered soil media and bioretention design
configurations were tested on the campus of
California State University, Sacramento. To
ensure realistic simulation of full-scale
bioretention, field mesocosms were built and
vegetated, and tests were conducted with real
stormwater runoff. OWP’s study tasks included
laboratory-screening experiments, construction
of field mesocosms, field experiments, and
development of design guidance based on the
results of the field experiments.
Report/Study Links: Final
Report
Contact: Dipen
Patel
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CIWMB Drain Inlet Inserts
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The California Integrated Waste Management Board
(CIWMB) sponsored a study to estimate the
ability of drain inlet insert filters to remove
motor oil from stormwater runoff. This
laboratory evaluation compared the effectiveness
of four drain inlet inserts. The effectiveness
was estimated for two types of conditions: (1)
spills or dumping during dry weather; and (2)
low-level concentrations of oil, which are more
typical for stormwater runoff. Report/Study
Link: California IWMB Pilot Study
Report/Study Links: California IWMB
Pilot Study
Contact: Brian
Currier
