A Sustainable Solution to Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater pollution is one of the largest sources of water contamination globally. The two main sources of stormwater pollution are agricultural and urban runoff. Agricultural runoff is water from irrigation, rain, or snow melt, that flows over the fields is absorbed into soil and makes its way into water bodies. These contaminants include pesticides, animal waste, garbage, and chemicals.  Urbanized areas with high populations and foot traffic have the highest levels of stormwater pollution. Urban stormwater pollution is more of an issue, as these areas are primarily paved and do not absorb water. This results in flooding when with precipitation, which is why storm drains are required. Storm drainpipes are connected directly to watersheds, meaning the pollution we see on the streets and sidewalks often finds its way directly to natural water bodies without filtration.

Statistics say that 8 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean annually, which is equivalent to one truck load every minute!

So, what can we do? EnviroPod is a company that has created a great solution to stopping stormwater pollution from making its way into the storm drain- this innovation is the Littatrap. On October 22nd, I had the pleasure of e-meeting with EnviroPod’s area representative Joe Burn, to get a better idea of their product and corporate goals.

Enviropod was founded approximately 25 years ago in New Zealand, by Mike Hannah and Greg Yeoman- two diving enthusiasts. While diving they both witnessed the widespread pollution in the water, which sparked their desire to find a sustainable solution to marine pollution. Vast amounts of pollution are a result of urban water runoff, which makes its way to bodies of water via stormwater drains. They designed the Littatrap, a catch basin that sits in storm drains, collecting debris carried by stormwater. The basin is a mesh basket that can catch any debris over 5mm (including cigarette butts) and can be used in combination with addition of performance liners to collect smaller particles. The Littatrap is very well engineered, is low cost, easily installed and maintained. The maintenance is seamless for site owners or maintenance crews- the catch bin simply needs to be lifted out by its pull straps, contents poured into a proper disposal area, then simply place the basin back in its frame.

Currently, there are over 50,000 catch basin inserts installed globally. This product helps collect debris that gets carried away by storm water, catching the trash as it makes its way through the drain preventing it from making its way into the storm pipes and eventually waterways. Each trap is estimated to collect an average of at least 600 pieces of plastic a year, depending on the area. Society has become dependent on plastic products, and we are all part of the problem. We have a responsibility to do better and reduce our own waste, while still working together to help mediate as much of the damage as we can. EnviroPod’s mission is to have catch basins in every drain worldwide to prevent further damage to waterways, and work to educate others on storm water pollution and its effects. EnviroPod works with those who have purchased catch bins, to make case studies displaying data on what is being collected in different locations. This valuable insight demonstrates the effects of storm drain pollution as well as identifies regional hotspots.

At Deep Blue Cleanup we are proud to be partnering up with Enviropod to get some LittaTraps installed in our waters! If you’d like to learn more about EnviroPod and their products, check out their site at https://www.enviropod.com/ or their social media @Enviropod on  Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! 😊

References

https://www.enviropod.com/

https://www.watercanada.net/feature/sustainable-stormwater-management/

https://conservationfolks.com/what-is-agricultural-runoff/

https://www.fraserriverkeeper.ca/stormwater_pollution_solutions

https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/stormwater-pollution