Virginia Storm Water Ponds Revitalized

Sept. 4, 2013

The Virginia Department of Transportation implemented a maintenance program to rehabilitate and revitalize storm water management (SWM) basins throughout the state. The plan included replacing rusted and falling steel trash racks with Plastic Solutions’ high-density polyethylene (HDPE) line of trash racks. 

The I-66 regional pond in Fairfax, Va., was the perfect candidate for such a plan. The original steel trash rack had reached the end of its life and had begun to negatively impact the surrounding environment. Because of complete failure due to rust, the structure was not able to effectively prevent debris and trash from entering the downstream watershed. 

Because the steel had deteriorated in a relatively short period of time, a 60-in. StormRax trash rack became a solution as a replacement. With UV inhibitors and fiberglass reinforcement in the HDPE pipe, the trash rack will provide many years of maintenance-free service. 

Many of the SWM basins proved to be difficult for the site contractor, Apex Environmental of Manassas, Va., to access with equipment. A conventional steel rack would require the use of heavy equipment for installation due to weight. However, the trash rack’s lightweight design made it possible to install by hand, eliminating equipment costs and the impact on the surrounding environment. 

StormRax are available in sizes from 24 to 96 in. for reinforced concrete pipe, corrugated metal pipe or HDPE structures, as well as a variety of flat and peak roof designs for rectangular and square concrete structures. Custom sizes also are available. 

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