Storm water pollution has been the various concerns over the past decade. Decreasing the contamination levels of runoffs to the minimum accepted levels to protect the water quality of rivers, estuaries, streams, lakes, seas, and other bodies of waters have been the objectives of various storm water best management practices (BMP) implemented. BMPs has been augmented to existing water treatment facilities to provide additional resources for potable water usage. Novel filter materials are used to improve the performance of media filters and extend their capabilities to removing other pollutants such as organic/aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Among the novel materials being considered are photocatalyst nanoparticles coated into the sand media filter. Photocatalysts have been applied in the degradation of organic pollutants with the help of visible light irradiation. This paper describes the synthesis and use of nanoparticle–coated zeolite media filter to remove dissolved metals (Cu and Zn). Catalyst surface analysis revealed that the Cu and Zn were chemically adsorbed, and were transformed into its corresponding elemental forms.

Clogging of the filter media which is brought by physical, chemical, and biological factors tend to reduce the lifespan of filters and remains a challenge. In this study, a laboratory column test method was used to investigate the evolution of physical and biological clogging in a non-vegetated filter media system with layers of sand, gravel, and woodchip. Blank column tests using either sand or gravel were conducted and investigated. Several column setups with varying arrangements and particle sizes of sand and gravel were also prepared to identify the best filter media combination that is least susceptible to clogging without compromising the treatment capacity. Artificial stormwater runoff was introduced in the system at a specific hydraulic loading rate (HLR) and influent characteristics. The degree of clogging was quantified by monitoring the variations in the hydraulic head at different levels of the columns. Water samples were also collected, tested, and analyzed at the end of each test run in order to measure the treatment efficiency of the filter. The insights and results of this study can justify the physical and biological clogging formation in filter media and therefore be used to suggest some filter media particle size modifications that can help to improve the sediment removal and treatment performance. Moreover, it can also aid to reduce the maintenance frequency and costs of a stormwater filter system.