Geosynthetics committee examines drainage issues

Proposed ASTM standard for stormwater catch basin filters.

ASTM International in a July 17 press release announced a proposed new standard that will offer a means to reduce the impact of contaminated stormwater entering local drains.
WK45326, Specification for Stormwater Catch Basin Filter, will aid community developments, sports facilities, fairgrounds, stadiums, and factories in complying with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean water initiatives, the release said.

“Inlet protection has become part of every stormwater pollution prevention plan,” said ASTM member Jonathan Sickels, national engineering and applications manager at Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. “When these measures are not implemented properly, this can lead to jobsite flooding, erosion, and hazardous road conditions. Additionally, when various inlet protection devices become clogged, disturbed soils and construction site pollutants can run off toward neighboring stormdrains, ponds, lakes, and rivers.”

The press release noted that ASTM WK45326 describes a fully sustainable framing system for high-efficiency geotextile sediment bags used as a structural best management practice for stormwater inlet protection. The replaceable geotextile bag provides a flow rating of 200 gallons per minute per square foot of material and retains a minimum of 80% of construction site runoff, including clay, silt, sand, and gravel.

ASTM WK45326 is being developed by Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and Filtration, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics.

The next meeting of ASTM Committee D35 is Jan. 28-30, 2015, in New Orleans.
Technical contact: Jonathan Sickels, 904 347 3311, jon.sickels@ads-pipe.com
ASTM staff contact: Katerina Koperna, 610 832 9728, kkoperna@astm.org