| As a result of the continuously
increasing urbanization occurring around what are already densely
populated areas, an ever greater amount of surface water will require
treatment in the future.
Surface water from roads and other hardened surfaces is a carrier
of such substances as heavy metals and nutrients. Over the long
term, such pollutants could cause damage by infiltrating recipients,
land and ground water. The initial run-off of surface water, known
as the dirt surge, accounts for 90% of the pollutants.
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| The greatest concentration of pollutants
is found in surface water from streets and roads, with traffic intensity
as the determining factor. The pollutant content in surface water
from building roofs varies depending on the type of roofing used,
whereby sheet-metal roofing, such as copper, produces the greatest
effect.
To date, efforts to treat surface water have been limited. Any
surface water that actually arrives at treatment plants is released
without any particular treatment, since the plants are not designed
for the treatment of heavy metals.
Accordingly, the Sorbus stormwater method has been developed to enable ecologically
sustainable treatment of surface water in natural and essential
steps, based on the use of natural materials and with minimal energy
consumption. The method is also suitable for the treatment of water
from depots of snow and dirty sand.
The filter baskets are stackable, enabling the use of different
absorbents depending on the types of pollutants found in the water.
The filters are easily accessible and replaceable.
Sorbus stormwater in practice
Sorbus stormwater method is designed primarily for the
separation of phosphorus, suspended materials and metals from surface
water. The basic design of the surface water facility is as follows
(presented in the order of use):
- A sedimentation pond for collecting the dirt surge, where the
water is halted and the particles are sedimented.
- The sedimented water then passes a filter consisting of one or more biosorbents,
whose function is to fix the phosphorus and the metals.
- To further reduce the nitrogen level, the water may be subjected to an additional
stage, whereby it is conveyed to open ditches or ponds.
- A spillway facility is available beyond the surface water plant
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