A log sorting and wood processing facility located on an 11.5-acre coastal site faced significant water quality challenges due to stormwater runoff containing wood waste, organics, and other industrial byproducts. Regulated by multiple agencies with varying sampling requirements, the site had difficulty complying with benchmarks, including the LC50 toxicity test—a measure of harmful effects on aquatic life.

To address these issues and meet discharge permit requirements, Clear Water Services designed and installed a 300gpm chemically enhanced sand filtration (CESF) system utilizing chitosan. The treatment train was engineered to remove suspended solids and organic matter through aggressive chemical pretreatment, gravity settling, and sand filtration. However, because certain contaminants such as dissolved metals and hydrocarbons can bypass traditional filtration methods, the system was further enhanced with adsorption technologies, including granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated alumina (AA).

The final system combined active and passive treatment elements to deliver a comprehensive solution for the site's complex runoff. With multiple sampling points and varying regulatory thresholds, the system was tailored for flexibility and performance, ensuring consistent compliance with water quality standards and reducing environmental impact.