A database is being constructed from the information being collected during the inspections which includes approximately 150 data items per basin. GIS mapping of the basins is being integrated with the database to produce a comprehensive management tool which will be used to direct future catch basin maintenance and repair activities. This program, with periodic basin inspections, will provide a means of maintaining hoods on catch basins and thereby ensure the effective use of catch basins as a floatables control. The program is also very cost effective when compared to other floatable control technologies. As shown in the figure the cost of catch basin hooding is significantly less than most other options.
Catch basin hooding also folds into existing catch basin maintenance programs very easily.
New equipment, procedures and training are generally not necessary to put a program in place. New York City constructed floatables booms around several CSO outfalls as part of an interim floatables control program. Following wet weather events, floatable material captured by the booms is removed by skimmer boats and transported to roll- off containers. This program was in place prior to the catch basin hooding program and offered a means of assessing the effectiveness of the hooding program. Figure 2 presents a bar graph of City-wide floatables loads captured in the City's booms between January 1997 and September 1998.