A large-scale natural gas pipeline project spanning over 300 miles across the mountainous and hilly terrain of the eastern United States required an environmentally responsible and cost-effective solution to manage turbidity during construction. With over 1,000 sensitive water crossings and subject to high annual rainfall (40–50 inches), the project faced significant regulatory scrutiny and environmental challenges that necessitated innovative approaches to water management.
To meet these demands, the project implemented passive flocculant treatment systems using Floc Logs and Silt Stop clarifying powders, developed by Applied Polymer Systems (APS). These systems were designed to minimize turbidity, comply with strict discharge limits (targeting <30 NTU), and function effectively across diverse, remote terrains without complex infrastructure. APS supported the project with comprehensive services including training, onsite consultation, performance testing, and regulatory assistance.
The treatment systems followed a consistent setup that could be customized to each new treatment sites unique topography and size constraints: dewatering bags in chambers lined with straw bales, plastic liners, and geotextile fabric, followed by flocculant dosing, mixing, and reaction chamber, and lastly an area and BMPs to capture flocculated sediment created in the treatment area.
Over the course of two years, the project installed more than 200 treatment systems, consistently achieving turbidity levels between 20–30 NTUs. These systems proved to be scalable, reliable, and cost-efficient, protecting environmentally sensitive ecosystems and maintaining full regulatory compliance. This case study highlights the value of passive flocculant technologies as a robust and adaptable solution for large-scale infrastructure projects in challenging environments.