The Clean Water Act of 1977 (CWA) developed a series of guidelines to protect water sources and systems in the environment. The sediment, turbidity and other pollutants entrained in storm water discharges associated with construction activity contribute to aquatic ecosystem degradation, increased drinking water treatment costs, and impairment of the recreational use and aesthetic value of impacted waters. Sediment can also accumulate in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, leading to the need for dredging or other mitigation in order to prevent reduced water storage or navigation capacity*. In preparation for these changes, there has been gradual adherence in the run-off and storm water management on construction sites. The lower NTU levels cannot be met using mechanical processes alone and the use of anionic polymers is becoming common practice on construction sites where ever there is a need to pump or move/divert water. The polymer is used to prevent the transfer of silt and suspended particles in the pumped water into a new ecosystem.

When the prescribed polymer is usedin the right conditions, you can achieve polymerization, and lower NTU levels. Polymerization occurs in water when an anionic polymer molecule attaches to silt/suspended molecules. (There are many varieties of polymers for use with different soil types. The polymer type and run or 'mix time' is prescribed by a polymer expert/sales person.) The attached molecules then become heavier than the water. The key to effective polymerization is turbulence mix time, to expose the polymer to as many of the water molecules in the most efficient time.

The current best management practice (BMP) for polymerization on construction job sites is to build what is called a 'Flock Log Track'. Typically, the track is built on the ground of the job site. When built and maintained correctly, these tracks are effective.

Unfortunately, there are many variables which cause these tracks to become ineffective, such as:

1. Built / set up incorrectly
   
2. Exposed to the environment and weather can be covered in snow, ice or debris
3. Poorly maintained or neglected
4. Washed out with storm water
5. Stationary, cannot move with job progression or changes
6. Requires significant square footage
   
7. Cannot be reused
   

These regulations will affect a wide range of companies. Many of these companies will be unable to build and/or maintain current BMPs.

Flocate Industries has developed a patent pending process to address the pitfalls of current BMPs. We have designed equipment which houses a manufactured flock log track. This track has been specially designed to enhance polymerization by creating a turbulent environment and the ability to control the flow rate and mixing time to eliminate many of the shortcomings of current BMPs. The enclosed track can also be moved around a job site, reused and requires a smaller footprint on the job site. All of these attributes eliminate the risk of destructive watershed and run off from construction sites, which are a major source of non point pollution in our environment.

Beyond the construction site, these anionic polymers have seen success in other water filtration applications with reductions of heavy metals, nutrient loads of phosphate (which reduces algae) and chlorine.