Top 5 Ways to Prevent Drain Pollution
Does your day job involve minimising environmental impacts? It’s an important responsibility that requires extensive planning, policies and procedures. Even with all these systems in place, external factors can still throw a curveball into the mix. Stratex has been providing businesses with environmental and personal protection solutions for over a decade, and our experience has shown us there’s often no single solution.
An estimated 3000 Gigalitres of runoff flows through Australia’s urban stormwater drains every year – that’s 1.2 million Olympic swimming pools! None of us want contaminated stormwater ending up in our oceans, so here’s our top five ways to prevent drain pollution.
1. DrainSAFE
This solution sits inside the drain pit and is made up of a barrel and a diffuser. As stormwater flows through the DrainSAFE, debris collects in the diffuser. Optional booms for the diffuser are available to help absorb hydrocarbons. The DrainSAFE features a built-in isolation valve that can stop flow into the stormwater system if required.
Why we like it: Whilst there is considerable cost and amount of setup involved, the great thing about DrainSAFE is that it can be emptied and cleaned periodically or as required. Being able to open or close the unit provides flexibility during risky activities or spill emergencies.
2. GuardDog Drain Filter
This drain protection solution sits over the top the drain and can be secured in place. The GuardDog filters contaminated stormwater, trapping sediment and hydrocarbons, releasing clean water into the waterways below. It’s one of the only solutions on the market that offers protection for side entry drains.
Why we like it: The GuardDog is simple, lightweight and durable. These drain filters can be installed in minutes and can be custom made to fit most drain types.
3. Geofabric Drain Pollution Guard
Drain pollution guards fit under drain grates and feature a hollowed section to capture and rubbish, debris and coarse sediments in contaminated stormwater. Heavy duty geofabric filter material provides excellent water flow for effective drainage. Each drain pollution guard includes a bilge boom to remove hydrocarbons, oils and fuels. Available in different sizes and can be trimmed to suit most drains.
Why we like it: Drain pollution guards provide excellent value and are reusable. It’s a simple but effective solution.
4. Polyurethane Drain Cover
These covers are reusable and available in a variety of sizes to suit most drain sizes. Polyurethane drain covers are a great way of preventing spills from entering drains once they occur. They are the simplest of all drain covers, both flexible and tacky to provide a tight seal. They have excellent resistance to most chemicals, including oils, fuels and solvents. Because they effectively block the drain they can contribute to flooding and are only recommended as part of spill response.
Why we like it: Polyurethane drain covers are simple, quick and easy to deploy. A must-have item when handling fluids near drains.
5. Weighted Drain Cover
These drain covers are an effective way of temporarily sealing a stormwater drain in the event of a spill. Weighted drain covers are an economical solution for your stormwater management plan. They are similar to polyurethane drain covers with the added benefit of having a geo-textile underlay with gel filling. This feature provides maximum flexibility, enabling it to conform to almost any gutter or flooring surface.
Why we like it: Weighted drain covers provide even better performance than their polyurethane counterparts and come with storage bags that can be hung, ready for immediate deployment.
Drain Protection Summary
| Traps Sediment | Traps Hydrocarbons | Filters Water | Reusable | Can Isolate (Block) Drain | |
| DrainSAFE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GuardDog Drain Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Drain Pollution Guard | Yes | Yes – with Boom | Yes | Yes | No |
| Polyurethane Drain Cover | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Weighted Drain Cover | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
It’s worth noting that all of these drain protection solutions require some form of professional installation and maintenance.
For more information on the right drain protection solution for your needs, contact Stratex on 1300 991 180 or email info@stratex.com.au.
Weighted Drain Cover – 1200 x 1200mmWeighted Drain Covers are a simple, quick to deploy and effective method for temporarily sealing a stormwater drain in the event of a spill. They are an economical solution for your stormwater management plan. Blocking the drain will allow time for spill clean-up while preventing stormwater contamination.
The Weighted Drain Cover comes with a storage bag that can be attached to a wall or similar to ensure it is readily available to deploy in seconds. Made using a robust PVC, the geo-textile underlay ensures a better seal on rough surfaces. The gel filling allows flexibility so the drain cover conforms to almost any gutter or flooring surface while allowing the edges to sit firmly over the grate and drain surrounds. `
Polyurethane Reusable Drain Cover – 1200 x 1200mmPolyurethane drain covers are the simplest of all drain covers. Just remove from its cover, unroll, and place it on the drain. The tacky, flexible polyurethane cover forms a tight seal to block out contaminates. These covers temporarily bond to any smooth surface and are resistant to most chemicals including oils, fuels and solvents. Easily cleaned and reused – just wash with warm soapy water and wrap in plastic sheet. Five sizes of covers are available, and a vinyl holdall can also be purchased separately for high visibility storage.
Note this product is designed for emergency use only. Clean after use with warm soapy water. Store below 25°C away from direct sunlight.
Drain Pollution Guard with Bilge Boom – 1200 x 1200mmOur drain pollution guards (or drain wardens) are a unique and cost-effective solution to prevent drains from congestion while protecting our waterways. The pollution guard fits easily under the drain and captures rubbish, debris and coarse sediments. A low resistance to water flow ensures effective drainage while the included bilge boom removes hydrocarbons, oils and fuels. Designed for use on construction sites, civil work sites, delivery docks, retail centres and parking lots. Available in two standard sizes, sides can be trimmed when in place to custom fit the space you require.
Drain Pollution Guard with Bilge Boom – 1700 x 1700mmOur drain pollution guards are a unique and cost-effective solution to prevent drains from congestion while protecting our waterways. The pollution guard fits easily under the drain and captures rubbish, debris and coarse sediments. A low resistance to water flow ensures effective drainage while the included bilge boom removes hydrocarbons, oils and fuels. Designed for use on construction sites, civil work sites, delivery docks, retail centres and parking lots.
Available in two standard sizes, sides can be trimmed when in place to custom fit the space you require.
DrainSAFE Stormwater Isolation Device – 200mmThe DrainSAFE Stormwater Isolation Device retrofits into a drain pit. Stop spills by turning the handle to close the isolation valve. Gross pollutants and hydrocarbons are trapped 24 hours a day in the open position. Capacity of 80L.
- Retrofit into most drain pits with no civil works and little down time.
- Stop spills in an emergency by turning the handle to close the isolation valve and stop flow into the stormwater system.
- Stop gross pollutants, sediment and hydrocarbons 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- The DrainSAFE is a serviceable device that can be cleaned and reused for many years with minimal maintenance.
- Flow rate: 33L/s
- Unit size: 502mmDia x 556mmH
- Weight: 19kg
- Made from tough UV and Chemical resistant HDPE
DrainSAFE with installation kit and 150mm butterfly valve.
GuardDog Drain Filter 810mmW x 1000mmLThe GuardDog drain filter offers a revolutionary approach to sediment control. It fits to cover most stormwater drains to effectively prevent silt, sediment, hydrocarbons and debris from entering our waterways and ocean.
- Traps sediment and hydrocarbons
- Improves water receiving quality
- 100% recycled absorbent media
- 53 micron filtration (0.053mm)
- Absorbs up to 12 litres of hydrocarbons
- Lightweight, low profile and durable
Filtration Innovation
The GuardDog works by using an innovative absorbent media called Spilltration® Husky, which is made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste. The material’s fibres absorb hydrocarbons and trap sediment particles as small as 53 microns (0.053mm), finer than a human hair. Spilltration® Husky also delivers exceptional water flow characteristics due to its unique construction, which allows water to wick through, even when saturated with oil.
Performance by Design
The GuardDog features a heavy-duty polyethylene mesh top for drive over durability. The Spilltration® Husky absorbent media removes and traps oils, fuels, sheens and sediment. A raised centre helps to create a damming effect and improve performance in high flow situations. Overflow port prevents water from backing up in heavy rain events. Eyelets provide a means to secure the GuardDog to metal grates with metal ties or concrete bolts.
Suitable for Most Drain Types
The standard GuardDog drain filter is designed to cover most box and v-grate drains. The side-entry GuardDog is wider and features aluminium strips to contour around most kerb inlet drains with or without grates. Custom sizing is also available by request.
When to use one?
The GuardDog is ideal for protecting drains during construction activity. It can also be used in carparks, manufacturing facilities, waste management, rail yards, refineries. The GuardDog helps to improve environmental compliance and avoid penalty notices.
Installation Versatility
The GuardDog can be installed in a variety of ways. It can be screwed directly into the concrete, secured to drain grates via metal cable ties or using high-powered magnets. See our installation guide to find out more.
Superior to Alternatives
Alternatives such as silt socks and coir logs do not trap hydrocarbons, and drain pollution guards can become overloaded to block drains and cause flooding. Unlike silt socks, the GuardDog will not split if driven over – it’s a low profile solution that’s foot and vehicle traffic friendly.
ISC Verified Innovation
The GuardDog drain filter was verified by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) as Australia-first innnovation for its use on the Monash Freeway upgrade. It is listed on iSupply and may assist in obtaining IS Credits for Receiving Water Quality (ISv1.2 Dis-1 / ISv2.1 Env-1), Diversion from Landfill (ISv1.2 Was-2), Innovation Challenge 8 (ISv1.2 & ISv2.1 Inn-1). To find out more contact your Stratex representative.
GuardDog Side-entry Drain Filter 810mmW x 1500mmLThe GuardDog drain filter offers a revolutionary approach to sediment control. It fits to cover most stormwater drains to effectively prevent silt, sediment, hydrocarbons and debris from entering our waterways and ocean.
- Traps sediment and hydrocarbons
- Improves water receiving quality
- 100% recycled absorbent media
- 53 micron filtration (0.053mm)
- Absorbs up to 12 litres of hydrocarbons
- Lightweight, low profile and durable
- Side-entry GuardDog features aluminium side strips for a perfect fit around kerbs
Filtration Innovation
The GuardDog works by using an innovative absorbent media called Spilltration® Husky, which is made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste. The material’s fibres absorb hydrocarbons and trap sediment particles as small as 53 microns (0.053mm), finer than a human hair. Spilltration® Husky also delivers exceptional water flow characteristics due to its unique construction, which allows water to wick through, even when saturated with oil.
Performance by Design
The GuardDog features a heavy-duty polyethylene mesh top for drive over durability. The Spilltration® Husky absorbent media removes and traps oils, fuels, sheens and sediment. A raised centre helps to create a damming effect and improve performance in high flow situations. Overflow port prevents water from backing up in heavy rain events. Eyelets provide a means to secure the GuardDog to metal grates with metal ties or concrete bolts.
Suitable for Most Drain Types
The standard GuardDog drain filter is designed to cover most box and v-grate drains. The side-entry GuardDog is wider and features aluminium strips to contour around most kerb inlet drains with or without grates. Custom sizing is also available by request.
When to use one?
The GuardDog is ideal for protecting drains during construction activity. It can also be used in carparks, manufacturing facilities, waste management, rail yards, refineries. The GuardDog helps to improve environmental compliance and avoid penalty notices.
Installation Versatility
The GuardDog can be installed in a variety of ways. It can be screwed directly into the concrete, secured to drain grates via metal cable ties or using high-powered magnets. See our installation guide to find out more.
Superior to Alternatives
Alternatives such as silt socks and coir logs do not trap hydrocarbons, and drain pollution guards can become overloaded to block drains and cause flooding. Unlike silt socks the GuardDog will not split if driven over – it’s a low profile solution that’s foot and vehicle traffic friendly.
ISC Verified Innovation
The GuardDog drain filter was verified by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) as Australia-first innnovation for its use on the Monash Freeway upgrade. It is listed on iSupply and may assist in obtaining IS Credits for Receiving Water Quality (ISv1.2 Dis-1 / ISv2.1 Env-1), Diversion from Landfill (ISv1.2 Was-2), Innovation Challenge 8 (ISv1.2 & ISv2.1 Inn-1). To find out more contact your Stratex representative.
