Before stormwater can be used, it typically undergoes a treatment process to remove contaminants and improve its quality. The first step is usually basic filtration to remove large debris such as leaves, twigs, and other particles that may have been collected during rainfall. A first flush diverter may also be used to discard the initial runoff, which often contains the highest concentration of pollutants.
For more thorough treatment, stormwater may pass through finer filtration systems like sand filters or cartridge filters to remove smaller particles. If the water is being used for irrigation or industrial purposes, additional treatment, such as ultraviolet (UV) disinfection or chemical treatment, may be applied to eliminate pathogens and bacteria. In some cases, more advanced methods like activated carbon filtration or reverse osmosis may be used if the water quality needs to meet specific standards. The level of treatment depends on the intended use of the water and the quality of the stormwater being collected.
