Drainage water filter for erosion control

Abstract

A storm drain filter including a frame holding a filter assembly to filter incoming drainage water and thereby prevent sediment from entering the storm drain's inlet. The frame can be easily removed and replaced to allow street sweeping. In one embodiment, an erosion control apparatus comprises one or more broom filters each including a plurality of adjacent bristles, and a frame that holds the broom filter(s) so that the bristles extend downwardly to the road surface. In one embodiment, the beam of the broom filter is pivotally connected to the frame, and the bristles have substantially greater than a 90° vertical angle, to allow the weight and flexibility of the bristles to conform to variations in the road surface. A filtration bag to filter hydrocarbons may be attached downstream of the broom filter. The frame can be designed for a wide variety of implementations, and can be re-usable.

1 - 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . A storm drain filter assembly, comprising: 
 a frame configured for extending substantially across a storm drain defining an opening top and an opening bottom;    plural bristles supported by the frame in a vertical orientation when the frame is positioned to cover a storm drain, wherein the bristles extend downwardly from substantially the opening top of the storm drain toward the opening bottom.    
   
   
       32 . The filter assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the bristles are arranged in plural rows, each row being generally parallel to the opening top when the assembly is positioned in front of the storm drain.  
   
   
       33 . The filter assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the bristles are made of polypropylene.  
   
   
       34 . A method for blocking debris from entering a storm drain while permitting water to flow into the drain, comprising: 
 providing a frame supporting plural bristles; and    disposing the frame in front of a storm drain defining an opening having a top and a bottom with the bristles extending down from the top of the opening toward the bottom.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the bristles are arranged in plural rows, each row being generally parallel to the top of the opening.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the bristles are made of polypropylene.  
   
   
       37 . A storm drain filter assembly, comprising: 
 a frame configured for extending substantially across a storm drain defining an opening top and an opening bottom;    plural polypropylene bristles supported by the frame in a vertical orientation when the frame is positioned to cover a storm drain, wherein the bristles extend in front of the storm drain to trap debris and wick oil in water passing the bristles and flowing into the storm drain.    
   
   
       38 . The assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the bristles extend downwardly from substantially the opening top of the storm drain toward the opening bottom.  
   
   
       39 . The filter assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the bristles are arranged in plural rows, each row being generally parallel to the opening top.