If your business has a stormwater or wastewater treatment system of some form, then chances are high that the system includes a trash screen. As you can guess from the name of the part, it’s meant to keep trash and larger debris out to keep from clogging the rest of the system. It also helps ensure that said trash doesn’t end up polluting waterways or vegetated areas, whether on the facility’s property or elsewhere.
When used in a stormwater treatment system, this debris barrier or storm drain debris screen has to be maintained regularly. Otherwise, the flow of water can be affected in some way, perhaps to the point of not flowing properly through the system at all. In some cases, such a trash screen will be part of a debris trap, and if it’s found above ground, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to clean it out when necessary. So here’s what you need to know about this task.
Before Maintenance
Ensure you have everything you’ll need for the task. At the very least, you’ll want to get a pair of work gloves for everyone who’ll be helping out, as well as trash bags where you’ll be placing the debris you clean out. You can line buckets with the trash bags to make it easier to move them around.
You’ll also need a shovel to make it easier to scoop out sludge and other materials that can be handled that way. Other tools to have on hand include a rake for gathering leaves and the like, as well as a broom and dustpan for smaller trash that you can’t pick up using the shovel or move using the rake.
Clean-up and Maintenance
If you have a rather wide trash screen, you may need an extra pair of hands. Whether you’re working by yourself or have someone to help, lift the screen up and set it aside. Before you move on to the next step, remember where the screen was positioned; often, there will be slots along the sides that will help you return the trash screen once you’re done.
Find an area where it will be easy for you to clean up, then start getting rid of the debris. You may have to tap the screen against something to get the looser debris off. Otherwise you can use the broom, shovel, or rake.
Continue sweeping, raking, or shovelling debris off the trash screen, especially for the material that’s stuck more firmly. Move the debris to the trash bags as often as you need to, to keep it from building up too much in the area where you’re doing the cleanup.
After Maintenance
Once you’re done getting rid of the debris, put the trash screen back, and then replace any covers where they should go. Keep an eye on where you place the trash bags containing the debris, and make sure you follow any laws your city has on disposing of such material.
As you can see, maintaining the trash screen or debris barrier isn’t a complicated task if you’re dealing with one that’s installed above-ground. Just don’t forget to clean it out at least once a year to help ensure proper function and to guard against flooding.