Synthetic stormwater was tested to determine the ageing effects on dissolved metal concentrations and used in a column experiment to determine efficiency of four different filter materials (milkweed, bark, peat, polypropylene) in removing total and dissolved metals. Synthetic stormwater was created by adding metal salts, oil and collected stormwater sediment to tap water. Two ageing experiments were performed to determine the change of synthetic stormwater quality over time. One experiment lasted for 11 days and another focused on rapid concentration changes one day after preparation. The one-day ageing experiment showed rapid decrease in dissolved concentration of certain metals, specifically Cu. To consider this change, correction coefficients for each metal were developed and used to estimate the average dissolved metal concentration in the synthetic stormwater during the experiment to determine filter treatment efficiency. During the 11-day experiment on metal concentrations, no noticeable quality changes were observed for at least six days after the preparation of synthetic stormwater. Furthermore, a column experiment was run with duplicate filter columns. Inflow and outflow samples were analysed for total and dissolved metals, turbidity, particle size distribution, and pH. High removal of total metal concentrations was noticed in all tested filter media (58-94%). Dissolved metal concentration removal varied among different filter media. In general, columns with bark and peat media were able to treat dissolved metals better than polypropylene and milkweed. The level of treatment of dissolved metals between the different filter media columns were bark > peat > milkweed > polypropylene.

Copper is a common roofing material used in urban environments, yet it poses a threat to the ecosystem. Space requirements for stormwater treatment in urban areas are often problematic. This study investigated the treatment efficiency of a filter system containing zeolite as filter medium and treatment of copper roof runoff in field conditions. Emphasis was placed on copper and zinc treatment, while the release of sodium and aluminium was also evaluated. The filter system was monitored over a period of 16 months (7 sampling events). The filter reduced the total and dissolved copper by 52–82% and 48–85%, respectively. Although the average observed treatment efficiency of copper and zinc was high, considerable decline in filter efficiency was noticed, indicating potential saturation of the filter medium. Moreover, the copper concentrations in the outlet were still high, 350–600 μg/l, and significantly higher than the concentrations recommended by the relevant authorities.

Stormwater sediments of various sizes and densities are recognised as one of the most important stormwater quality parameters that can be conventionally controlled by settling in detention ponds. The bottom grid structure (BGS) is an innovative concept proposed in this study to enhance removal of stormwater sediments entering ponds and reduce sediment resuspension. This concept was studied in a hydraulic scale model with the objective of elucidating the effects of the BGS geometry on stormwater sediment trapping. Towards this end, the BGS cell size and depth, and the cell cross-wall angle were varied for a range of flow rates, and the sediment trapping efficiency was measured in the model. The main value of the observed sediment trapping efficiencies, in the range from 13 to 55%, was a comparative assessment of various BGS designs. In general, larger cells (footprint 10 × 10 cm) were more effective than the smaller cells (5 × 5 cm), the cell depth exerted small influence on sediment trapping, and the cells with inclined cross-walls proved more effective in sediment trapping than the vertical cross-walls. However, the BGS with inclined cross-walls would be harder to maintain. Future studies should address an optimal cell design and testing in an actual stormwater pond.

As urbanization accelerates, stormwater management in cities has shifted from focusing strictly on water quantity to addressing water quality. Traditionally implemented systems, such as stormwater ponds, while offering effective solutions, often require large land areas to implement, making them impractical for dense urban environments. Underground stormwater systems, like EcoVault, offer a more compact solution; however, they lack scientific studies under real-world conditions to prove their effectiveness in treating pollutants. This study evaluates the treatment performance of two parallel EcoVault systems with the same design, consisting of a sedimentation step and a filtration step. These facilities were retrofitted into two different stormwater sewer networks draining two urban catchments. The systems were assessed for their ability to treat total suspended solids, metals, nutrients, and organic pollutants from urban runoff. Over 15 rain events, the average total suspended solids (TSS) removal rate was 40% for EcoVault A and 46% for EcoVault B. The removal rates for metals varied, with EcoVault B showing better performance for average metal treatment (53% for Cu and 58% for Zn). However, neither EcoVault system removed dissolved metals, often with an increase of dissolved metal concentration in the effluent. The filtration step did not contribute to pollutant treatment, likely due to clogging and high hydraulic loading rates. The study highlighted the potential of underground stormwater treatment in areas with limited space availability, while identifying challenges such as treatment of dissolved pollutants.