Storm water inlet pollution trap

Abstract

Pollutants are captured at a particular point of entrance into a storm water runoff system, such as at curb inlets. An inventive device takes advantage of existing storage volume within storm water inlets and is installed therein with little or no retrofitting necessary to secure the device. Storm water enters the apparatus where water energy is reduced and flow length is increased, increasing water detention time and allowing for the removal of soil sediment, floating debris, hydrocarbons and other pollutants utilizing settling tendencies and trapping areas. A damping system reduces pollutant resuspension and redirects high flows away from deposited sediment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storm water inlet pollutant trap for managing a water flow through a storm drain and extracting pollutants therefrom, comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be suspended below a storm water inlet, said housing including therein: 
 an upper surface to direct the water flow;  
 a first detention area at an upper portion thereof into which the water flow is directed;  
 a second detention area below said first detention area;  
 a damper separating said first detention area from said second detention area;  
 at least one aperture positioned at least partly below the level of said first detention area; and  
 a passageway leading from said second detention area to said aperture;  
   wherein under low flow conditions the water flow proceeds from said first detention area through said damper into said second detention area and ultimately through said passageway to exit via said aperture; and    wherein under high flow conditions the water flow bypasses said second detention area by overflowing said first detention area to exit via said aperture.    
     
     
         2 . The storm water inlet pollutant trap according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a two piece structure.  
     
     
         3 . The storm water inlet pollutant trap according to  claim 1 , wherein said damper comprises overlapping plates.  
     
     
         4 . The storm water inlet pollutant trap according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing is generally rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The storm water inlet pollutant trap according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface empties into said first detention area at a point below the level of said aperture.  
     
     
         6 . A method for managing a water flow through a storm drain and extracting pollutants therefrom, comprising: 
 routing the water flow to a housing suspended below a storm water inlet;    under low flow conditions, routing the water flow along a first flow path into a first detention area in said housing and then through a damper into a second detention area and ultimately through a passageway to exit via an aperture in said housing; and    under high flow conditions, routing the water flow along a second flow path bypassing said second detention area by overflowing said first detention area to exit via said aperture.