Floatables – Assessment and Control

Floatables are waterborne materials that are buoyant or semi-buoyant and float either on or below the water surface. These materials, which are generally man-made, may be transported to sensitive environmental areas such as bathing beaches where they can become an aesthetic nuisance. Also, certain types of floatables can cause harm to marine wildlife and can be hazardous to navigation. Street litter washed into sewer systems and discharged by combined sewer overflows and storm sewers is the predominant source of floatables, especially in urban waterbodies. Floatables pollution can be reduced by implementing watershed controls (best management practices), Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance (CMOM) programs, end-of-pipe controls, and receiving water remediation programs.

HydroQual has been in the forefront of identifying the sources, transport, impacts, and cost-effective control technologies for floatables pollution since 1988. Our expertise in water quality assessments, water quality and landside modeling, process engineering and environmental permitting have provided the basis for developing and implementing effective floatable control programs for several municipalities and urban areas. We have conducted pilot- and full-scale evaluations of conventional, innovative and emerging floatable pollution control technologies and have developed interim and long-term control plans for large municipalities. In 1995, this unique and broad base of experience was the basis of our contributions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance document entitled “Combined Sewer Overflows – Guidance For Nine Minimum Controls.” We have also developed and initiated elements of CMOM and other related programs for floatables control and audited the effectiveness of these programs for our clients.

Our experience in floatables issues is extensive and unique in the engineering community. Our capabilities and services cover all aspects of the challenges cities and municipalities face in their need to reduce and control floatables pollution. These services include: source monitoring and characterizations, transport and impact evaluations, load assessment and projections, control technology evaluations and design, and comprehensive control plan development and management.