Has any one seen any testing results for these devices? Are they suitable as an alternative to a bioretention basin in a medium density residential development of 20 lots? The maintenance is intended to be carried out by a body coporate. I understand that they need to be used in conjunction with a GPT.
Rocla CDS Filternator and Humes Hydrofilter
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I'm not exactly an authority on this topic and I don't have any practical experience with these systems, but seeing as though nobody else has replied, here is some info!
I chased some info a couple of months ago from Humes (Hydrofilter), Rocla (Filternator) and Stormwater360 (Stormfilter). Charles Kelly from Humes advised that testing is currently underway in Australia and results should be available by the end of 2009. They have existing results from Germany but this probably isn't going to be sufficient to satisfy most practitioners. Michael Wicks from Stormwater360 provided results from a field trial in North Queensland. It is important to note that this trial focuses on the treatment of stormwater runoff from a road. This information has been presented at a number of forums over the past year or so. I must admit I haven't had any luck getting in contact with the right people at Rocla.
With regard to the use of these systems in the scenario you described (medium density residential development with 20 lots), I would suggest that they may well be a suitable alternative. I would like to see comprehensive, independent testing in Australian conditions before being confident that they will meet the stormwater treatment objectives. However, it sounds like this sort of testing is underway and if it demonstrates adequate treatment, then systems such as these become another treatment option. Medium and high density infill developments are likely to be the most appropriate applications. With regard to your final point, it is also my understanding that these systems should typically be used in conjunction with an upstream GPT.
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The Hydrofilter is currently being tested by an independent NATA registered laboratory for Humes Water Solutions using an ETV protocol similar to that applied in the US. These results and the product will be formally released to the market in 2010. The Hydrofilter is a treatment device relying on filtration, adsorption and chemical precipitation, so just like a bioretention system, the better the pretreatment for gross pollutants (especially plastic bags), the better it will operate in the long term. You could certainly design a treatment train without a GPT, but the maintenance period would be reduced.
Darren Drapper, Humes Water Solutions
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