The Water Decontaminator TCU

The Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit

The Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit (WD-TCU) is a catch basin insert designed to fit any existing storm drain system.

The WD-TCU is a patented and patent pending, environmental product that is placed under a catch basin grate to help remove oil and contaminants from dirty water. Oil and contaminants are captured in a disposable cartridge.

Inventive Resources, Inc. is an authorized dealer of Filtrexx.™

California Water Board Full Trash Capture Certified by the CA State Water Board and is now available in California to meet stormwater regulations.

Diagram of a stormwater filtration system with labeled components including a grate, stainless steel support system, deflector, trash capture screen, HDPE housing, absorber cartridge with recycled pulp media, perforated holes, and an existing catch basin. Arrows depict the flow of dirty water in and treated water out.
Diagram of a water filtration system showing dirty water entering at the top and treated water exiting at the bottom.

The Water Decontaminator TCU

The Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit (WD-TCU) is a catch basin insert filter system that treats stormwater keeping contaminants out of the storm drain system. This is a certified full capture system for trash treatment. See approval letter on the California Water Boards website under Inventive Resources: www.waterboards.ca.gov

Basic Problem

Runoff from streets and parking lots carry trash, leaves, sediment, oils and heavy metals into the storm drain. These contaminants clog up the catch basin, storm drain pipes and eventually pollute our rivers and streams.

In most cases stormwater can be treated before it leaves the site.  There are many options for this treatment.  Most of these are large and expensive vaults and separation systems that require intensive maintenance regimens and large footprints.

Introducing The Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit

The WD-TCU is a full flow through filter system. Low water flow rates entering the catch basin flows through a large filter cartridge with multiple layers of filtration and low absorbent media. In the case of high flow rain events water overflows the housing preventing flooding.

The filter cartridge holds 1,200 cubic inches of filter media. This is highly effective in removing sediment, oils and heavy metals. As well as most other contaminants entering the storm drain. See the individual products pages for more information on the catch basin insert filter as well as our other filter systems.

Inventive Resources, Inc. has other patented filtration products for environment and equipment problems. Click here to visit the Inventive Resources, Inc. website.

YSI Environmental equipment case with pH tester on wood surface.

Participate in a Study

We are currently testing stormwater for total suspended solids and other contaminates. Contact us for more information on having your location included in our study.

 Industrial Filtration

Filtrexx invented the compost filter sock. After years of research and testing, our Soxx™ technology portfolio has expanded to serve the engineering and construction industries with Low Impact Development (LID) solutions in stormwater management, sediment & erosion control, pollutant removal, living walls, agriculture and gardening applications. Depending on the final application, our Soxx portfolio — SiltSoxx™, GroSoxx®, EnviroSoxx® — in combination with other materials and systems, can create reliable and sustainable solutions for industries such as oil & natural gas, highway and road construction, government and municipal projects, land and building development (commercial and residential), utilities projects, landfill construction & maintenance, manufacturing (pollution control), metals manufacturers and scrap yards and general environmental remediation.

Click here to read more about Filtrexx products.

Diagram of a catch basin filtration system showing an existing grate, HDPE deflector, stainless steel support, deep bed loading absorber cartridge, trash capture screen with 3/16" perforated holes, HDPE housing, and existing catch basin.

Trash Capture Catch Basin Insert

The Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit is the best available technology (BAT) for treating stormwater at the source. Dirty water entering through the catch basin grate is funneled into the filter housing. The water then flows through a proprietary mixture of wood pulp media, polypropylene and activated carbon. This mixture has been shown to remove common pollutants entering the stormwater system. These pollutants include total suspended solids (TSS), oil, grease, and heavy metals. The treated water then flows out of the TCU into the catch basin.

Click here for Typical Filter Specifications
Click here for the Standard Water Decontaminator Trash Capture Unit
Click here for Available Filter Media
Click here for Typical Catch Basin Configurations

The filter cartridge is designed so that first flush storm event passes through a denser portion of the filter. The first flush typically contain a larger concentration of contaminants. Maximum filter efficiency is achieved for the standard WD-TCU 10x18A filter at 20 gpm. Flow rates above 20 gpm will flow through the trash capture screen while removing all particles smaller than 3/16" [5mm]. Flow rates above 260-780 gpm depending on model overflow the filter housing through a built in overflow, not compromising the designed flow rate of the catch basin. An extended rim edge on top of the strainer cylinder helps retain collected debris should the flow rate exceed the rated maximum.

Larger units with multiple filter cartridges can accommodate any load. Filters can be fitted with an optional collection tube for effluent stormwater sampling.

Typical Filter Specifications

  • Total of 6 Lbs. of filter media.

  • 4.5 Lbs. absorbent.

  • 1.5 Lbs. of activated carbon.

  • Filter cartridge contains 1,200 in3 of filter media.

Standard TCU Model

The standard model of the WD-TCU is designed to fit most standard catch basins (Minimum diameter: 16", Minimum depth: 36"). Custom filters can be built to fit any needs.

Available Filter Media

  • Close-up of poly material for water filtration.

    Polypropylene Oil-Only Sorbents

    Fine fiber Polypropylene absorbs up to 12 times its weight in liquids. Absorbs fuel oil, gasoline, motor oil, grease, organic solvents, and other hydrocarbons.

  • Proprietary wood pulp particulate

    Particulate / Cellulose Based Sorbents. Control hydrocarbons (oil based liquids) while repelling water. Absorbs liquids within fibers, absorbs oily sheens, tramp oils and other oil based while repelling water. 100% organic, environmentally friendly and Green Cross certified.

  • Close-up of carbon granules for a siltration system.

    Activated Carbon

    Processed to make it extremely porous with a very large surface area available for adsorption. This adsorbs a broad range of chemicals and hydrocarbons. Washed to reduce fines.

  • Close-up view of light brown gravel-like media for removing heavy metals from water.

    Heavy Metal Media

    This media is designed to remove low concentrations of metals.

  • Close-up of small white gravel stones called Perlite.

    Perlite

    Expanded perlite can be used in removing the typical suspended solids found in storm water. It can trap particulates and adsorb materials such as suspended solids, petroleum hydrocarbons, and particulate bound phosphorus, nitrogen, and metals. This optional media needs to be  specified.

  • Close-up of sawdust-like proprietary partially carbonized organics filter material.

    Partially Carbonized Organics

    This new filter media is plant based and completely organic. Uses include reducing bacteria, total suspended solids, nitrogen and heavy metals.

  • Close-up of sponge media chunks, made to filter heavy metals from water.

    Metal removing sponge material

    This is a high capacity sponge product that effectively reduces and removes zinc, copper, lead and other heavy metals commonly found in storm water. This optional media needs to be specified.

  • close-up of scattered green granules of Zeolite, a highly porous rock that removes zinc, copper, lead and other heavy metals from storm water.

    Zeolite

    This is a highly porous rock that effectively reduces and removes zinc, copper, lead and other heavy metals commonly found in storm water.

  • Close-up of white and black gravel looking phosphorus absorbing filter media for waste water.

    Phosphorus absorber

    Specifically designed to remove phosphorus from stormwater.

  • Close-up of small grain media designed to remove heavy metal contaminants.

    Heavy Metal media

    Small grain media designed to remove heavy metal contaminates.

Water Decontamintor Trash Capture Unit Catch Basin Configurations

  • Illustration of a Water Decontaminator TCU storm drain with filtration system

    Valley Inlet

  • Illustration of a Water Decontaminator TCU drainage system with a filter

    Curb Inlet

  • Illustration of a cylindrical Water Decontaminator TCU water filtration system with a central filter compartment and visible water flow.

    Round Gate

  • diagram of a Water Decontaminator TCU stormwater drain system with a removable filter basket and water flow

    Square Grate