Removal of Organic Contaminants in Stormwater Treatment Facilities

Research Project, 2013 – 2016

Recent research has shown that stormwater often contain organic pollutant at levels exceeding environmental quality standards. To comply with quality guidelines for receiving waters, stormwater treatment is considered critical. However, there is an overall lack of data available to describe the removal of organic contaminants in stormwater treatment technologies. The aim of this project is to clarify the fate of organic contaminants during stormwater treatment. The project will focus on pollutant fate in retention ponds and filtration media, two of the currently most used treatment methods for stormwater. The pollutant pathways in ponds will be studied by monitoring influent and effluent water quality and quantity, as well as quality and quantity of stagnant phases (biofilm and sediment). Batch tests will be used for comparing the capacity of a range of sorbents to remove dissolved pollutants in stormwater. Pollutant removal will be studied in lab-scale filters under controlled water quality and quantity conditions. Study of influent and effluent pollutant concentrations as well as concentrations in the filter material will reveal pollutant fate during filtration. This research will contribute data essential for the development of efficient treatment methods for organic pollutants in stormwater. The results are of interest for stakeholders responsible for the protection of stormwater and receiving water quality, such as landowners and municipal administrations.