Setting the Standard for Trash and Litter Capture

Trash in water bodies is a longstanding problem, and the last few years have seen a significant uptick in efforts to address the issue. These efforts include the implementation of several new technologies designed to capture trash, but information on how well these technologies perform has not kept pace with implementation. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recently published E3332, a standard method for evaluating the performance of trash-capture technologies.

Users of the ASTM standard will have standardized, scientifically valid data on a variety of performance parameters for the tested trash-capture device. This will greatly simplify the task of comparing options and allow end users to better predict how a given solution will perform over its lifetime.

The first part of this presentation will discuss ATSM E3332 and its implications. The second part will feature two major projects—one on the East Coast and another on the West Coast—that have the same main goal: improve local water quality by implementing/upgrading local infrastructure with the use of trash-capture devices. Details on trash-capture device design methodology, local regulations, installation and maintenance will be discussed.

Northwest and Northeast Ponds Enhancements at Hempstead Lake Park, N.Y.: Living with the Bay Project and Resiliency Strategy at Hempstead Lake State Park will improve stormwater management, enhance natural ecosystems, provide connectivity among diverse populations, enhance safety and promote educational programs.

Hillcrest Community Park Green Infrastructure Project, City of Concord, Calif. – The Hillcrest Park project is part of a major initiative to reduce the long-term adverse water-quality impacts of urbanization on receiving waters. It involves preventing pollution at the source by incorporating Low Impact Development (LID) drainage design features into regional storm-drain infrastructures.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn:

– The latest vocabulary being used to discuss trash and trash capture
– The contents of the new ASTM E3332 standard
– How ASTM results can be used to compare trash-capture options
– Understand the design, usage and effectiveness of trash-capture devices through project case studies

Presenters Information

Greg Williams, PhD., P.E., Director of Water Quality Technology – StormTrap

John Shallahamer, Water Quality Solutions Specialist – StormTrap