Originally presented at StormCon 2023. Purchase all 28 sessions here.
2022 marked the 20th anniversary of the Technology Assessment Protocol – Ecology (TAPE), Washington State’s rigorous stormwater control measure (SCM) evaluation protocol and peer-reviewed regulatory certification process that is nationally recognized. In recent years, many TAPE filtration SCMs have been seeking approval at higher hydraulic loading rates, while during that same time period, many SCMs have required more frequent maintenance. Proponents are required to report the SCM hydraulic performance relative to the design flow rate and report all maintenance activities during TAPE evaluations. However, to date, TAPE has not had a formal process to assess maintenance requirements or hydraulic performance of approved devices. The absence of robust maintenance information has led to some municipalities adding their own restrictions or requirements on top of TAPE certification. In 2019, Ecology convened a subgroup of the TAPE Stakeholders Advisory Group and Board of External Reviewers to brainstorm ideas of how TAPE could better assess SCM maintenance needs. Through surveys of municipalities, manufacturers, and other user groups, the subgroup developed a draft maintenance and hydraulic assessment protocol for stormwater treatment filtration devices. The protocol, which is still in development, will provide a way to assess how much of a water year an SCM can treat before failing. Results from the assessment may be used to adjust an SCM’s approved hydraulic loading rate. This presentation will highlight the process that was followed to develop the protocol, the successes, and challenges of that process, provide details on the new maintenance/hydraulic assessment protocol, and describe how the results from the assessment will be used. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the differences between monitoring and testing requirements for proprietary and non-proprietary stormwater treatment solutions.
About the Presenters
Carla Milesi is the Emerging Stormwater Technologies Coordinator for the Washington Stormwater Center at University of Washington Tacoma’s Center for Urban Waters. As such, she is the lead scientist for the Center’s collaboration with the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Technology Assessment Protocol (TAPE) program. Prior to joining the Center in 2014, Carla spent over 10 years as an environmental consultant at Cardno implementing and managing stormwater monitoring and BMP assessment projects.
Doug Howie has more than 40 years-experience in planning, design, and construction of stormwater projects. He is a Senior Stormwater Engineer for the Department of Ecology working with Ecology permit planners to assist jurisdictions throughout the state in meeting their Municipal Permit requirements. He edits and provides training on the two Ecology Stormwater Manuals. Doug also manages the Technology Assessment Protocol – Ecology (TAPE) program where Ecology evaluates emerging technologies for use in Washington State.
Lisa Simms graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia. Lisa’s professional experience includes consulting in site design and geotechnical engineering, technical sales experience in geotechnical testing devices, bridges, erosion control products and stormwater devices. Lisa is the Southeast Regulatory Manager for Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Stormwater group. When Lisa isn’t working you will find her “Scouting” new adventures with her family as she volunteers as a Cub Scout Den Leader and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Lisa lives in Alpharetta, GA with her husband, son, daughter, dog & turtle.
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- Course Certificate
