Surface efficient stormwater treatment

The materials we use to build our cities and communities and the activities we carry out, such as driving and traffic, sometimes contribute to heavily polluted stormwater that needs to be treated before it is discharged. The true dissolved fraction of substances is the most bioavailable fraction for aquatic organisms and is difficult to remove using traditional treatment methods based on sedimentation of particles, such as ponds and reservoirs. In addition, cities are densely populated and require facilities that do not take up much space in relation to their treatment capacity.

The materials Chemical processes and membrane technologies (e.g. chemical precipitation, ultra- and nano-filters) have been developed to treat wastewater and process water in industries. These technologies both have the potential to reduce pollutants present in the smallest size fractions. As stormwater has a very different composition compared to wastewater and process water, these technologies cannot be used straightforwardly to treat stormwater, but need to be adapted.

DRIZZLE is conducting studies, initially on a lab scale, to investigate if and how different surface efficient technologies have the potential to treat stormwater. More in-depth studies are also necessary to develop sustainable products and processes.