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Stormwater Treatment Train: Roger Williams Park
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Treatment Train Construction: May 2024
Purpose
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Ensure clean water flows into the Roger Williams Park ponds
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Determine the effectiveness of jellyfish filters
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Test out experimental natural filters
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Improve maintenance techniques for similar filters across Providence and beyond
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Serve as a training site for jellyfish filter maintenance and cleaning
Structure
Stormwater Inflow: Stormwater enters the park from Mashapaug Pond, which has a history of pollution issues. Rainwater picks up ground pollution from the industrial lots nearby and then flows directly into the pond. This stormwater treatment train will help filter out the harmful pollutants that would otherwise make their way into the Roger Williams Park ponds. The treatment train has the capacity to filter the first 1 inch of rainfall in each storm event. ​
Monitoring Ports: The treatment train is built up of multiple filtration tanks, and monitoring is conducted between each tank. It’s important to collect data on the quality of water flowing both in and out of each filter, so we can know how effective they are. The monitoring ports are designed so monitoring equipment can be set up for continuous observation. With that data, improvements can be made to maintenance practices and to the filters themselves.
Jellyfish Filter: Despite the name, there are no jellyfish in the filter! Instead, the filter cartridges inside the tank have a jellyfish-like appearance. After entering the tank, trash, debris, and any sand-sized particles are separated out of the water. From there, water enters the filter, and smaller particles including nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and hydrocarbons are removed. Once the water is filtered, it continues on through the train to the next monitoring tank and the biochar filter. ​​
Biochar Filtration Tank: Biochar is a form of charcoal produced from biomass sources, like wood chips, plant residues, or manure. It’s commonly used for improving soil health and for carbon sequestration. It’s also able to act as a filter and remove harmful nutrients from stormwater. When the water flows into the tank, the biochar retains contaminants while the treated water passes through. In the future, the filter in this tank may be replaced with other natural materials to test their effectiveness at improving water quality.
Contech Jellyfish Filter
Biochar Sock for Stormwater
Pile of Biochar
Training
Training Site: Jellyfish filters are often placed near busy highways or roads where conducting training isn’t pleasant or safe. This quiet, secure site in Roger Williams Park will be able to host training sessions for maintenance staff, improving the performance of other jellyfish filters around the region.
BMP maintenance training in Roger Williams Park
Construction Photos
Construction is scheduled to be completed in August 2024. Monitoring and training will begin soon after.
