Bacterra by Filterra Advanced Bioretention System: Discussion of the Benefits, Mechanisms, and Efficiencies for Bacteria Removal

With the growing concern about bacterial impairment of recreational waters associated with stormwater runoff, extensive laboratory and field studies were conducted by Filterra®, division of Americast, Inc., to determine an optimum blend for bacteria removal. The Filterra® bioretention BMP blend is currently designed to utilize physical, chemical and biological pollutant mechanisms to remove typical stormwater pollutants such as TSS, phosphorus, nitrogen and heavy metals. Filterra® has developed a specialized treatment media to remove fecal coliform and other pathogens from urban stormwater runoff. This new media blend has been trade marked Bacterra. This study showed that high bacteria removal rates of over 90% were achieved at extremely high flow rates at 100 inches per hour. This study does not support conventional thinking that slow flow rates and long contact times are needed to effectively remove bacteria from stormwater runoff using bioretention media. This paper summarizes the research effort and findings of Filterra® in the development of their Bacterra^TM high flow bioretention media treatment technology.