Patent ID: 6346193
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: B01D,C02F,E02B,Y02W

Abstract:
A method of reducing the bacteria count in a water reservoir which is subject to pollution due to entrance of water at a water entrance using an aquatic boom which comprises upper floatation elements supporting a filter curtain depending full water column to the water bed floor and weighted thereon where the boom defines a water entrance basin, which comprises the steps ofa. identifying a water entrance to the reservoir, b. determining the volumetric rate of water which will enter the reservoir at the identified water entrance during a rainfall of twenty-five year intensity, c. calculating the area of a filter curtain of one or more sheets of filter material about the identified water entrance to pass no more than one cubic foot of water per minute per square foot of filter area from the defined entrance basin when the determined volumetric rate of water flow at the water entrance is that produced by rain event of twenty-five year intensity doubled d. determining the water depth contour of the bottom of the reservoir when the reservoir is full along a path that will accommodate a boom with filter curtain of the calculated filter curtain area or greater and the length of the path, e. preparing a boom with filter curtain to the calculated area, length and depth contour which will define a water entrance basin, f. placing anchors on or in the water bed floor substantially along the entrance basin to be formed, and g. installing the boom and curtain in the reservoir, securing the boom to the anchor piers with the anchor piers on the water entrance side of the boom and securing the ends of the boom to land points to define the water entrance basin, h. said curtain comprising a non-woven geosynthetic fabric having openings therein of substantially twenty microns, by particle size analysis, to trap particulate biodegradable organic materials in sufficient quantity during a significant rain event to cause increased microbial density which accelerates biodegradation whereby microorganisms on the trapped biodegradable particles will feed upon and decompose the biodegradable organic materials, deplete the organic material and perish.