Watershed runoff drainage device & method

Abstract

A watershed runoff drainage device is adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain. It includes a funnel member to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to entering the vault. A floating hydrocarbon collector is positioned inside or outside the funnel member, and deflectors and other means within the vault inhibit the growth of mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and inhibit any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.

1 . A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including 
 a funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, said funnel member having an entry end and an exit end with water runoff first flowing into the entry end, through the funnel member, and out the exit end,    a housing detached from the funnel member and adapted to be mounted within the vault downstream of the inlet of the vault, said housing including an open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member, an open bottom end that is upstream of an outlet of the vault, and a sidewall connecting said top and bottom ends to form a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber,    said sidewall having predetermined dimensions so said housing upon being mounted within the vault is separated from a sidewall of the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the vault,    said sidewall of the housing having an upper edge defining said open top end that functions as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over said upper edge, along said space, and out the outlet of the vault, and    a drain assembly at the bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber, said funnel member having a cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area and said housing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The drainage device of  claim 1  including at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.  
   
   
       3 . The drainage device of  claim 2  where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.  
   
   
       4 . The drainage device of  claim 2  where the predetermined cross-sectional area of the funnel member is substantially rectangular and the hydrocarbon collection member substantially fills said rectangular cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member.  
   
   
       5 . The drainage device of  claim 2  including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.  
   
   
       6 . The drainage device of  claim 1  including at least one hydrocarbon collection member mounted to pivot near the open bottom end of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The drainage device of  claim 1  includes a hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.  
   
   
       8 . The drainage device of  claim 7  where the hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism is located in the drain assembly and includes a passageway into which flows at least a portion of the high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid, said passageway being filled with a material that absorbs said hydrocarbon liquid and blocks said passageway to prevent the outflow from the device of the hydrocarbon liquid.  
   
   
       9 . The drainage device of  claim 1  where the filter element is oriented substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       10 . The drainage device of  claim 1  where the drain assembly is connected to the bottom end of the housing and sealed thereto so that at least some of the water runoff within the retention chamber flows through the drain assembly prior to flowing from the outlet of the vault.  
   
   
       11 . A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including 
 a funnel member adapted to be inserted longitudinally into an inlet of the vault so that substantially all water runoff entering the vault flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, said funnel member having an entry end and an exit end with the water runoff first flowing into the entry end, through the funnel member, and out the exit end, and    at least one hydrocarbon collection member positioned within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member, said hydrocarbon collection member being mounted to move longitudinally while floating on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and being retained within the funnel member as the position of said surface changes.    
   
   
       12 . The drainage device of  claim 11  including a drain assembly downstream of the exit end of the funnel member and upstream of an outlet of the vault, said drain assembly including a filter element that retains at least some of any solid material within the water runoff flowing through the funnel member  
   
   
       13 . The drainage device of  claim 12  where, upon installation of the device in the vault, the filter element is substantially vertically oriented and situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault.  
   
   
       14 . The drainage device of  claim 12  where the filter element is oriented substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       15 . The drainage device of  claim 14  including a weir member substantially at a right angle to the horizontal filter element and situated between an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault.  
   
   
       16 . The drainage device of  claim 11  where, upon installation of the device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault form a space in which a deflector member is positioned between the inlet of the vault and the exit end of the funnel member.  
   
   
       17 . The drainage device of  claim 11  including a metals collection member.  
   
   
       18 . The drainage device of  claim 17  where, upon installation of the device in the vault, an exterior wall of the funnel member and a sidewall of the vault form a space in which the metals collection member is positioned so that the water runoff flows through the metals collection member prior to exiting an outlet of the vault.  
   
   
       19 . The drainage device of  claim 11  including a water pump adapted to remove any standing water within the vault.  
   
   
       20 . The drainage device of  claim 19  where the water pump is an electric battery powered pump.  
   
   
       21 . The drainage device of  claim 19  where the water pump is a running-water powered pump.  
   
   
       22 . The drainage device of  claim 11  where the funnel member includes an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism comprising an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the exit end.  
   
   
       23 . In combination, a bottom exit drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where 
 the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area, said cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level with an outlet thereat extending through one vertical wall so that substantially all runoff water entering the vault flows from the vault to a storm drain, substantially avoiding standing water within the vault, and a removable grating member covering the inlet, and    the watershed runoff drainage device comprises 
 a funnel member having an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and  
   downstream of the funnel member a housing forming a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber, 
 said housing comprising a body with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined area that is less than the area of the cavity, an open top end that receives the exit end of the funnel member, and an open bottom end that is upstream of the outlet of the vault, said housing being within the cavity and connected to at least one vertical wall to provide a space between the housing and the one vertical wall,  
 said predetermined area of the housing being greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.  
   
   
   
       24 . The combination of  claim 23  including a drain assembly at the bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber.  
   
   
       25 . The combination of  claim 23  including at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.  
   
   
       26 . The combination of  claim 25  including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.  
   
   
       27 . The combination of  claim 25  where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.  
   
   
       28 . The combination of  claim 23  including a hydrocarbon spill shut-off mechanism that in response to a high concentration of hydrocarbon liquid flowing into the device prevents the outflow of the hydrocarbon liquid from the device.  
   
   
       29 . The combination of  claim 23  with the bottom of the vault is open and in communication with a bed of gravel and a filter element is at said open bottom,  
   
   
       30 . In combination, a side exit drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where 
 the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises vertical walls substantially at right angles to form a cavity having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area, said cavity having at or near ground level an open top inlet with predetermined dimensions, a bottom below ground level, and an outlet above the bottom that extends through one vertical wall so that some of the runoff water entering the vault remains within the cavity, and a removable grating member covering the inlet,    the watershed runoff drainage device comprises 
 a funnel member having an elongated body including a sidewall having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is less than the area of the vault, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an enlarged entry end including a lip member having dimensions substantially the same as the dimensions of the inlet of the vault that is seated between the grating member and upper edges of the vertical walls so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and  
 at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the body of the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.  
   
   
   
       31 . The combination of  claim 30  including a closure member at the outlet that includes a buoyant door that is closed until the surface of the water runoff in the vault reaches the door and causes said door to open as the door floats on the surface of the runoff water.  
   
   
       32 . The combination of  claim 31  including a filter element positioned nearby the outlet of the vault so that the runoff water flows through the filter element prior to flowing into the outlet.  
   
   
       33 . The combination of  claim 32  where the door is mounted by a hinge and is above the filter element.  
   
   
       34 . The combination of  claim 33  where there is sufficient clearance between the open door and the grating member to enable runoff water to flow into the outlet.  
   
   
       35 . The combination of  claim 30  including a water pump adapted to remove any standing water within the vault.  
   
   
       36 . The combination of  claim 30  where the water pump is an electric battery powered pump.  
   
   
       37 . The combination of  claim 30  where the water pump is a running-water powered pump.  
   
   
       38 . The combination of  claim 30  where the funnel member includes an anti-freezing mechanism that inhibits freezing of the water runoff in the funnel member, said anti-freezing mechanism comprising an opening in a sidewall of the funnel member that is normally closed by a closure member that opens when the water runoff in the funnel member freezes to block the exit end of the funnel member, thereby by allowing water runoff to flow through the opening and bypass the exit end.  
   
   
       39 . In combination, a drain inlet vault for a storm drain and a watershed runoff drainage device, where 
 the vault is lodged at least partially below ground level and comprises a cavity having a cross-section configuration of a predetermined area, an inlet at or near ground level, and an outlet below ground level in communication with a storm drain,    the watershed runoff drainage device is positioned within the cavity and comprises 
 a funnel member having an elongated body having a cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined area that is less than the area of the cavity, an exit end below ground level and upstream of the outlet of the vault, and an entry end seated at the inlet of the vault so that water runoff flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and  
 at least one hydrocarbon collection member within the body of the funnel member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.  
   
   
   
       40 . The combination of  claim 39  including a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.  
   
   
       41 . The combination of  claim 39  where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.  
   
   
       42 . The combination of  claim 39  where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.  
   
   
       43 . The combination of  claim 39  where the hydrocarbon collection member substantially fills said cross-sectional area of the funnel member as the water runoff fills at least partially the funnel member.  
   
   
       44 . A watershed runoff drainage device adapted to be used with a drain inlet vault for a storm drain, said drainage device including 
 means adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault for directing substantially all water runoff entering the vault to flow there through prior to entering the vault,    means positioned within the directing means that floats on the surface of the water runoff within said directing means for collecting hydrocarbon, and 
 means adapted to be positioned within the vault for inhibiting the growth mosquito larvae and the like within the vault and for inhibiting any mosquitoes within the vault from escaping the vault.  
   
   
   
       45 . A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff, said device including a 
 funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and 
 a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.  
   
   
   
       46 . A device for treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault to a storm drain to remove suspended solids, said device including a 
 funnel member adapted to be inserted into an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault, and    a housing adapted to be mounted within the vault that forms a retention chamber in which water runoff flowing into the housing from the funnel member is confined for a predetermined period to enable at least a portion of any solid material in the water runoff to collect within the retention chamber,    said housing including a sidewall adapted to be positioned within the vault to provide a space between the sidewall of the housing and a sidewall of the vault, said sidewall of the housing functioning as a weir enabling at least some water runoff within the retention chamber to flow over said sidewall of the housing into said space and out an outlet of the vault,    said funnel member having a cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area and said housing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with a predetermined area that is greater than said predetermined area of the funnel member so that the velocity of water runoff decreases as said water runoff flows from the funnel member into the housing.    
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 46  including a drain assembly at an open bottom end of the housing including a filter element that retains solid material collected within the retention chamber,  
   
   
       48 . A method of treating water runoff from a watershed as it flows through a drain inlet vault in communication with a storm drain to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water runoff, said method including the steps of 
 inserting a funnel member in an inlet of the vault that is sized and configured so that the water runoff first flows through the funnel member prior to entering the vault and is retained in the vault a sufficient period of time to allow at least some of the suspended solids to settle within the vault, and    providing a buoyant hydrocarbon collection member that floats on the surface of the water runoff within the funnel member and moves up and down within the funnel member as the position of the surface of the water runoff changes.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  where the funnel member includes a guide member that interacts with the hydrocarbon collection member to direct the movement of said collection member along a predetermined substantially vertical path within the funnel member.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  where the hydrocarbon collection member is flexible and folds and unfolds in response to water runoff flowing through the funnel member.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48  where the hydrocarbon collection member comprises a plurality of porous pockets, each pocket containing a removable hydrocarbon absorbing material that is replaceable when saturated with hydrocarbon.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48  where the hydrocarbon collection member covers substantially the entire surface area of the water runoff within the funnel member.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48  where a metals collection member is inserted into the vault upstream of an outlet of the vault.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48  where a filter is positioned with in the vault to retain suspended solids as the runoff water flows through the vault.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 48  where visual inspection enables an inspector to determine that any standing water runoff disappears within a predetermined time period.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55  where the device is cleaned when the standing water runoff has not disappeared within said predetermined time period.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 48  including a replaceable filter element positioned downstream of the funnel member that is periodically removed and replaced, said removed filter element being backwashed into the drain inlet vault.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 48  where the hydrocarbon collection member includes at least one disposable pad filled with a hydrocarbon adsorbent/absorbent material that is periodically inspected for saturation, removed when saturated, and disposed of when saturated.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58  where, after disposal of the saturated pad, said pad is replaced.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 48  where solids in the vault are periodically removed and, if not sufficiently drained to remove water runoff entrained therein, are transported to a remote location and dewatered.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 48  where solids in the vault are periodically removed and have been retained within the vault under conditions for a sufficiently long time period that remove water runoff entrained in said solids.