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Oldcastle Infrastructure biofilter bests water pollution control metrics

Concrete News
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Atlanta-based Oldcastle Infrastructure has secured Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approval for the BioPod Biofilter System with StormMix Media, recognized for 50 percent total phosphorus removal efficiency—the highest available rating. The agency nod turned on Oldcastle Infrastructure field data plus General Use Level Designation from the state of Washington.
Oldcastle Infrastructure has evolved its stormwater management solutions portfolio with BioPod and companion technologies as state and local government agencies take a harder look at best pollution control practices.

“Now that the BioPod has received approval, designers in Virginia will have a state-of-the-art, engineered, high-flow rate bioretention option for stormwater treatment and green infrastructure solutions,” says Oldcastle Infrastructure Regulatory Engineer Joanna Ogintz.

BioPod systems utilize an advanced design for filtration, sorption and biological uptake to remove total suspended solids, dissolved metals, nutrients, gross solids, trash and debris as well as petroleum hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff. StormMix media, an engineered high-flow rate material, removes stormwater pollutants. Oldcastle Infrastructure offers an optional, integrated high-flow bypass that eliminates the need for a separate bypass structure, reducing costs and simplifying the design.

BioPod affords municipal or private drainage infrastructure officials design and construction flexibility, and is packaged as an all-in-one, single-piece unit composed of durable precast concrete for ease of installation and long service life. It is set for listing on the Virginia Best Management Practices Clearinghouse site, www.swbmp.vwrrc.vt.edu.

KIEWIT, CH2M HILL VETERAN LEADS NEWLY DESIGNATED OLDCASTLE REGULATORY GROUP

Oldcastle Infrastructure has assembled a Regulatory Management group to support its Stormwater product line. Director of Engineering Jay Holtz, PE is transitioning to the newly created role of Director of Regulatory Management to lead a team dedicated to enhancing the regulatory environment for treatment and storage solutions, and sustaining product line growth.

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Jay Holtz

“The creation of this team demonstrates the importance that advancing the regulatory landscape has on the long-term growth of our industry and the positive environmental impact of our solutions,” says Oldcastle Infrastructure General Manager, Stormwater Matt Clemson. “Given his unmatched technical expertise and deep industry relationships, Jay is the perfect fit to develop and lead this new function. We are excited that the growth of our Stormwater line has allowed us to invest in our business.”

Based in Portland, Ore., Holtz brings more than 30 years’ experience in hydrology, hydraulics plus design and application of stormwater treatment and storage systems. A University of California, Davis civil engineering graduate, he has worked as a contractor with Peter Kiewit Construction, designer with CH2M Hill, and regulator with Clean Water Services in Washington County, Ore.

The Regulatory Group has emerged in a transition from namesake Precast to Infrastructure that Oldcastle Inc. announced in August 2018. It also times with a build out of value added, pollution control offerings engineered for storm water conveyance and adherence to runoff treatment guidelines or agency-prescribed best practices. Compared to the legacy Precast banner, management notes, Oldcastle Infrastructure is more indicative of product and service breadth and a business that transforms communities from the ground up, and one where “Employees ensure millions of people have access to life’s most vital resources: shelter, water, power, lines of communications and transportation. Our vision for the future will be more consistently communicated through a unified look and feel for Oldcastle Infrastructure.”