The Hidden Sources of Pollution in Our Stormwater Systems When road pollution is discussed, attention usually focuses on vehicle emissions, tyre wear particles, brake dust and fuel leaks. While these are undoubtedly significant sources of contamination, they are not the only pollutants entering our rivers, lakes and oceans through stormwater runoff. The roads themselves, and […]
Permeable Pavement Systems (PPS) are one of the most widely used Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) techniques in the UK. They are commonly incorporated into residential developments, car parks, public schemes and low-speed roads to reduce runoff volumes, provide source control and improve water quality. Unlike conventional (impermeable) pavements, PPS allow rainfall and surface water runoff […]
Understanding PAHs in Stormwater Runoff Stormwater runoff is a significant pathway for pollutant transport into receiving water bodies. Among these pollutants, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a main concern in stormwater treatment, due to their persistence and toxicity in our environments. Particle Size Distribution (PSD) aids in determining how PAHs behave- in terms of their […]
What are Total Suspended Solids? In stormwater runoff, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) refers to undissolved solid particles larger than 0.45µm. Anything smaller is considered a dissolved substance. Pollutants can bind to or become trapped within these solid particles, making TSS a highly effective contaminant transport mechanism from surface road runoff into receiving water bodies. In […]
Stormwater management involves managing both the quantity and quality of surface runoff. An appreciation of a site’s Particle Size Distribution (PSD) is crucial for effective stormwater quality management. The PSD influences sediment transport, settling rates and determines the effectiveness of treatment systems in terms of capturing, retaining and so permanently removing contaminants found in stormwater […]
Tyre wear particles (TWPs) are now recognised as a significant and largely unmanaged source of chemical contamination in urban stormwater. Among the most important tyre-derived chemicals are the vulcanisation accelerators mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and diphenylguanidine (DPG), which are used globally to produce durable, heat-resistant rubber. While essential to tyre performance, increasing evidence shows these additives pose […]
The case for rainwater reuse received a powerful double endorsement during Water Reuse Week with coordinated events taking place in both Westminster and the Senedd. In London, members of the UK Rainwater Management Association (UKRWA) convened at the Houses of Parliament for a high-level meeting with Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East, who is spearheading […]
Both UK and International Stormwater Manufactured Treatment Devices are often certified under New Jersey’s stormwater treatment protocols and best practices, but who are NJDEP and NJCAT and what do they do? As the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) certification program for stormwater Manufactured Treatment Devices (MTDs) has evolved over the years, one issue […]
What is Nutrient Neutrality? Pollution caused by too many nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in our rivers and estuaries is a big problem for some locations. The nutrients of concern arise from fertilisers, untreated or partially treated sewage and water running off developments (to name a few sources). Natural England therefore has created the “National […]
Tesni Hyett is studying BioMedical Sciences at Cardiff University. She is the daughter of 3P Technik UK’s Director Glyn Hyett. During the summer break between her 2nd academic year and 3rd-year professional training year at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, researching Oncology, Glyn asked Tesni to research 6PPD in Stormwater. Glyn had read some articles […]
