1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to drain basin inserts, and more particularly to such drain basin inserts that significantly improve the water quality of the water which passes therethrough.
2. Description of the Related Art
This invention is directed to the providing of a drain basin for use with storm sewers. Phase II of EPA's National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires all but the smallest municipal and industrial storm sewer systems to treat storm water discharge to the “maximum extent practicable”. Consequently, the quality of storm water ultimately discharged into storm sewer systems must now meet higher standards than in recent years past. Two pollutants of major concern are sediments and oils that flow into sewer drains during storms, in addition to metals, such as zinc, and nitrogen and phosphorous-containing compounds.
Some attempts have already been made to address this problem. They include the devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,762 and 6,217,757, marketed by Hydro Compliance Management of Brighton, Mich. and Revel Environmental Manufacturing known as REM Filters respectively. Another product designed to address the problem is Aquaguard marketed by Aquashield Inc. of Chattanooga, Tenn.
Several patents of interest include Schilling et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,758, which discloses a filtering device for use in storm drains; Leckner et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,157, which discloses a filter device for removing suspended solids from storm water; Bamer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,762, which discloses a filter insert for a storm drain; Fleischmann, U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,757, which discloses a storm drain filter with vertical screens; Morris et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,758, which discloses a curb-inlet storm drain system for filtering trash and hydrocarbons; Gannon et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,630, which discloses a separation of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing liquid; and Allard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,023, which discloses a soft bodied high capacity catch basin filtration system.
It is thus apparent that the need exists for a drain basin insert which discharges water that has its quality significantly improved, and that can be easily cleaned of sediment, debris, and hydrocarbons and oil-bound pollutants.