Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2015CT293B

Laboratory evaluation of materials to treat chloride in stormwater

Institute: Connecticut
Year Established: 2015 Start Date: 2015-03-01 End Date: 2016-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $13,951 Total Non-Federal Funds: $27,823

Principal Investigators: Michael Dietz, John Clausen

Project Summary: Applications of winter deicing materials have resulted in increased levels of chloride in groundwater and surface waters. Except for reduced application rates, there is currently no tool available to prevent chloride from traveling from roadways to surface and groundwaters. A preliminary laboratory experiment has shown promise in reducing chloride concentrations in water using an anion exchange resin and bioretention media. The objective of the proposed work is to more formally investigate the ability of the resin and media to reduce chloride concentrations in runoff. Laboratory columns will be used to test bioretention media with low and high organic matter levels, and three ratios of resin:bioretention media. Main and interaction effects will be statistically evaluated.