By Scott Lai

The photo to the right shows how much waste was collected from drain guards after just two weeks in storm drains in Southern California (via Ultra Tech International).It just goes to show how important drain guards are as a type of stormwater BMPs (Best Management Practices).

Drain guards, also known as witch's hats, are placed inside a drain and collects contaiminants from cars, silt, sediment, and oil from stormwater runoff. This prevents waste from entering our oceans. 

In ideal conditions, drain guards should last three to six months (in heavy flow areas, life expectancy is reduced). However, they should be regularly inspected to ensure waste capacity has not been exceeded. When a drain guard has collected about 6 inches of sediment, it's recommended that it be replaced.

There are also different models of drain guards, depending on the type of waste being filtered and its capacity:

• Oil and Sediment (Trash & Debris Model, High Capacity Model, Recycled Model, Ultimate Model)
• Heavy Metal

Our drain guards come in two sizes:

• 48"L x 36"W x 18"H
• 60"L x 60"W x 18"H

Installation:

1. Remove catch basin grating.

2. Clean dirt and debris from grating ledge.

3. Insert Drain Guard (if using the High Capacity Model, the Ultra-Drain Guard Retainers must be used-- see specific installation instructions here).

4. Reinstall the grate. To insure maximum effectiveness, the skirt should be secured between the grating and ledge.

5. Cut the excess fabric off with a blade if desired.

Scott is an Outside Sales Representative of G P Roadway Solutions. As a former property manager, Scott now helps other property managers improve the safety of their properties and facilities. Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.