Large Catch Basin
Drainage systems that are designed to drain excess of ground water or rain water in public places such as streets, sidewalks and parking lots require that debris of any kind does not enter the drainage pipes and cause blockage of these pipes. A large catch basin is such an entrapment used to stop debris from entering drainpipes.
To better understand the functioning of a large catch basin, you could compare it with drains of wash basins that are used at home. Just as these drains prevent small objects from entering the water pipes, catch basins are designed to accomplish the blockage of larger particles. A majority of storm drainage and municipal sewage systems make use of a large catch basin. The design of a catch basin, barring a few variations, remains the same in most parts of the world.
Working of a Large Catch Basin
A storm drain usually has a grated inlet which consists of gratings or grids to prevent large objects found on the streets from falling into the drainage system. However, many small objects may find their way easily through the girds. For this purpose, a large catch basin is installed immediately under the grid, which is able to catch and stop many smaller debris.
A large catch basin consists of a sloping inlet collecting runoff, thereby ensuring minimum amount of overflow even in the case of high volumes of water. Therefore, this ensures that the water that finally enters the drain is free from any kind of sediment or debris. The catch basin is usually the only kind of facility available for the treatment of water before it enters the drainage piping system. In some systems however, it is only a pretreatment option.
Maintenance of a Catch Basin
The maintenance of a large basin involves the regular removal of debris from the grating and also periodically cleaning up the bottom trap. If catch basins are left unattended and debris rise to a high level, it could cause blockage and spilling over of drains which then becomes a major issue in a public place. Especially after a rain or a storm, cleaning of large catch basins becomes a necessary activity.
It is very important to use trained personnel to clear out storm drain catch basins. Under normal conditions, the recommended frequency of cleaning these basins is a minimum of twice per year.
Limitations and Other Uses of a Catch Basin
The use of a large catch basin could involve certain limitations such as:
- The inability of catch basins to remove some pollutants and substitute for other storm water treatment measures.
- If they are not maintained properly and frequently, a catch basin could cause re-suspension of pollutants.
- Fine soluble particles and pollutants cannot be removed from water by catch basins.
A large catch basin can be made use of in a home drainage system as well, on a smaller scale, with the help of a plumber for installation. Many websites on the internet provide information on the use of catch basins for domestic purposes.