Question 1

Will this help me get my permit approved?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our sizing reports are designed for permit applications. They include all the technical information regulators need: treatment capacity calculations, TSS removal performance data, ETV verification documentation, and site-specific compliance analysis.

Question 2

What regulations require stormwater treatment?

Accepted Answer

Stormwater treatment is typically required under municipal stormwater management guidelines, Conservation Authority regulations, and provincial environmental compliance requirements. Requirements vary by municipality but commonly include 80% TSS removal for standard sites and 90% for enhanced protection areas.

Question 3

Do different provinces have different requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, requirements vary by province and municipality. British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan each have their own guidelines. Our team is familiar with regional requirements across Western Canada and can help navigate your specific regulatory context.

Question 4

What is an Oil/Grit Separator (OGS)?

Accepted Answer

An Oil/Grit Separator is an underground stormwater treatment device that uses gravity and hydrodynamic physics to remove pollutants from runoff before it enters waterways. It traps oil (which floats) and sediment (which sinks), allowing clean water to flow through to the outlet.

Question 5

What is ETV verification?

Accepted Answer

ETV (Environmental Technology Verification) is a third-party certification program that independently verifies the performance claims of environmental technologies. Our OGS systems have been ETV verified, meaning their TSS (Total Suspended Solids) removal rates have been independently confirmed through rigorous testing protocols.

Question 6

What TSS removal rates do your systems achieve?

Accepted Answer

The TSS removal depends on the particle size distribution utilized. For most design requirements, our OGS systems achieve 80-90%+ TSS removal rates depending on the model and design flow. The RWM-DM¹ series achieves 90%+ TSS removal and meets the most stringent regulatory requirements in Canada.

Question 7

Where are your products manufactured?

Accepted Answer

All our products are 100% designed and manufactured in Canada. The concrete portions of our OGS units are supplied by local pre-casters in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Question 8

How long does installation typically take?

Accepted Answer

Installation of our typical OGS units is basically the same process as standard manhole installation. Pipes must be flush with the inside of the manhole.

Question 9

Do you provide installation support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our team can provide on-site installation supervision to ensure your OGS is properly positioned, connected, and commissioned for optimal performance. We coordinate with your contractor throughout the process.

Question 10

What are the typical depth requirements?

Accepted Answer

Depth requirements vary by model and pipe sizes. Our sizing reports include detailed installation specifications. Generally, units require access for vacuum trucks and adequate cover depth for traffic loading if applicable.

Question 11

Can units be installed in high water table areas?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with proper engineering considerations. Anti-flotation measures may be required, and we can provide guidance on anchoring systems and buoyancy calculations for your specific site conditions.

Question 12

How often do I need to clean my OGS?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning frequency depends on site conditions, but typically OGS units require maintenance 1-2 times per year. High-traffic areas like gas stations may require more frequent cleaning. We recommend annual inspections at minimum and cleaning when sediment reaches 75% of storage capacity.

Question 13

What does maintenance involve?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance involves: visual inspection of the unit, measurement of sediment and oil accumulation, vacuum removal of sediment and debris, extraction of accumulated oil, inspection of internal components, and documentation for compliance records.

Question 14

Do you offer maintenance services?

Accepted Answer

We offer maintenance supervision including annual inspections, sediment removal, oil extraction, and compliance documentation.

Question 15

How do I know when maintenance is needed?

Accepted Answer

We recommend inspecting sediment levels annually or after major storm events. When sediment reaches 75% of storage capacity or oil thickness exceeds 50mm, cleaning is recommended. Our maintenance programs include regular inspections to track accumulation rates.

Question 16

What's the difference between RWM-DM¹ and RWM-DM¹-OS?

Accepted Answer

The RWM-DM¹ is our standard ETV-verified Oil/Grit Separator. The RWM-DM¹-OS (Oil Spill) variant has a lower weir height specifically designed for oil spill capture and retention, achieving 99.9% oil capture while still removing sediment.

Question 17

What is the RWM-SS used for?

Accepted Answer

The RWM-SS is a direct screening Oil/Grit Separator that provides 100% removal of debris ≥2.4mm. It uses non-blocking screen technology and is ideal for sites where debris and sediment capture is the primary concern. It is suited for markets where ETV verification is not required.

Question 18

When should I use the RWM Ultra?

Accepted Answer

The RWM Ultra is designed for high-capacity requirements, particularly for City of Calgary specifications. It offers a smaller footprint and flexible configuration options for very large, complex sites.

Question 19

Do you offer coalescing oil/water separators?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer Coalescing Plate Separators with polypropylene media that achieve 10-15 mg/L hydrocarbon effluent concentrations. These are ideal for gas stations, industrial loading facilities, automotive maintenance sites, and any site where there is potential for oil contamination like vehicle intersections.

Question 20

How do I determine what size OGS I need?

Accepted Answer

The required OGS size depends on your drainage area, imperviousness percentage, local rainfall data, and required treatment standard. Our online Sizing Portal automates this calculation. Simply enter your project details and receive an instant recommendation with a downloadable compliance report.

Question 21

What information do I need to size an OGS?

Accepted Answer

To size an OGS, you'll need: project name and/or address, project location (for rainfall data), total drainage area (in hectares or acres), imperviousness percentage of the catchment, and the required treatment standard. Our sizing tool will guide you through each input.

Question 22

How accurate is the online sizing tool?

Accepted Answer

Our sizing tool uses the same engineering calculations our team uses internally, based on local rainfall IDF curves and regulatory requirements. The generated reports are suitable for permit applications and have been accepted by municipalities across Western Canada.

Question 23

Where can I find engineering drawings?

Accepted Answer

Engineering drawings are available on our Technical Info page. We provide detailed drawings for each product size including standard and OS variants.

Question 24

What pipe sizes do your units accommodate?

Accepted Answer

Our units accommodate a range of pipe sizes depending on the model. The RWM-DM¹ series can handle inlet pipes sized appropriately to prevent upstream settling.

Question 25

Are your products CSA and ETV certified?

Accepted Answer

Our OGS systems are ETV verified where applicable, and the concrete manholes are CSA certified.

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