Up-Flo
®
Filter Operation and Maintenance Manual
•
Monitoring for floatables on the water surface: Similar to oil, the amount of accumulated floatables must be minimized to prevent
trash and loose debris from becoming trapped on the Angled Screens when stormwater begins to fill the Up-Flo
®
vessel at the start
of a storm event. Visual inspection is adequate to determine the amount of floatables. Floatables should be removed before they
form a mat on the surface of the water.
The solids loading rate in the sump will be calculated by measuring the sediment depth in the sump and dividing the depth by the
correlating interval of time since the sump was last cleaned. Similarly, starting with fresh Media Bags, the solids loading rate in the Media
Packs will be calculated by weighing the Media Bags and dividing the weights by the correlating interval of time since they were installed.
The wet weight of the heaviest bag will be used to determine the loading rate. As previously mentioned, a spent Media Bag weighs
approximately 50 lbs (23 kg) wet. The spent Media Bag weight estimate was based on calculations of sediment loading in an Up-Flo
®
Filter that was run to exhaustion during laboratory testing.
The rate of oil accumulation will be calculated by measuring the thickness of the oil layer and dividing the thickness by the correlating
interval of time since the sump was last cleaned. Ordinarily, oil thickness will not be measurable unless a spill has occurred. Consequently,
any oil will typically be removed along with water when cleaning the sump.
Monitoring the Drain Down Filter for clogging, monitoring the Flow Distribution Media and Angled Screens for slime and debris, and
monitoring the accumulation of floatables will provide an estimate of how long the Up-Flo
®
Filter can operate before its performance can
become impaired by one of these factors.
Routine Inspection and Maintenance
After completion of the first year of operation, determining and then following the established inspection and maintenance intervals will
keep pollutant loadings within their respective limits. Removal of oils and floatables, replacement of the Drain Down Filter, replacement
of Flow Distribution Media (see Fig.9, pg 11), and cleaning of Angled Screens will occur at the same frequency as cleaning of the sump
and replacement of Media Bags unless the first year of operation indicates otherwise. Keeping to the established maintenance intervals
will keep treatment flow rates at, or above, the design flow rate. Typically, annual maintenance is adequate.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, occasional checks for Up-Flo
®
Filter clogging can be performed by removing the manhole cover
during a storm, monitoring the water level in the manhole or vault, and determining whether the filter is in bypass. A properly-sized filter
(on-line or off-line) that is in bypass during a storm that is producing runoff at, or below, the filter’s design filtration rate needs maintenance.
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Fig.5 a) The water level in a properly functioning Up-Flo
®
Filter will drain down to the base of the Filter Modules. b) When the Drain Down Filter becomes
clogged, the base of the Filter Modules will be submerged in standing water. Note, above right, that the Drain Down Filter is submerged in standing water.
a .
b .
