Development of a Self-Contained Electrocoagulation Device to Achieve Stormwater Water Quality Goals

The construction, operation, and maintenance of roadways generates pollutants such as sediment, heavy metals, and nutrients; pollutants which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) identify as the most widespread in impeding the beneficial uses of the Nation’s rivers and streams.DOTs primarily rely on passive stormwater best management practices (BMPs) or stormwater control measures (SCMs) to manage stormwater runoff quality and quantity.However, current BMPs and SCMs are often not capable of completely removing pollutants from stormwater runoff, especially fine-sized soil particles and dissolved pollutants.Fagan Consulting, LLC, in partnership with Auburn University, seeks to develop and commercialize a portable self-contained electrocoagulation unit that could be easily retrofit into existing stormwater infrastructure (e.g., pipes, culverts, detention basins, etc.) to enhance water quality treatment.This Phase I project will (1) develop a market plan for implementation and commercialization, and (2) design, develop, demonstrate, and evaluate a working prototype.Phase I tasks include a literature review, market analysis, design of the electrocoagulation-based treatment system, development of a bench-scale prototype and testing, and the design of a full-scale prototype.This project will develop several outcomes that will pave the way towards ultimately developing a commercial device to treat stormwater runoff.