A sustainable approach to port runoff management
- Giovanna Winetzki
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
Overview
The optimization and adaptation of port infrastructure at HAROPA PORT | Rouen are key components of an ongoing effort to enhance maritime access and increase port activity. A critical element of this project involved the development of a new 1.5 km road and a 30-hectare plot of land to facilitate expansion and accessibility. In addition to optimizing logistical efficiency, sustainable stormwater management was a primary concern.
To address these challenges, a series of stormwater infiltration structures, including open basins, vegetated swales, and permeable trenches, were integrated into the project. Among these solutions, the OSMORIA® Geoclean Origin aquatextile was selected for its advanced capability to manage hydrocarbon contamination autonomously and sustainably. By incorporating this innovative solution, the port infrastructure enhancements were designed to meet both environmental and operational performance standards, ensuring long-term sustainability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Challenge
As part of the modernization of the port infrastructure, the project required an effective stormwater management system capable of quantitatively and qualitatively handling runoff. Given the substantial vehicular traffic expected in the newly developed areas, the presence of hydrocarbon pollutants from road runoff posed a significant environmental risk. Without appropriate mitigation strategies, chronic hydrocarbon leakage and accidental spills could compromise groundwater quality and damage the surrounding ecosystem.
Conventional infiltration structures, such as open basins and trenches, can accommodate large volumes of water but are not inherently effective at treating pollution, particularly contaminants such as hydrocarbons and PAHs. The challenge was therefore to integrate a solution that could not only remove hydrocarbons but also facilitate the infiltration of runoff water, while being easy to install, economical, long-lasting, and requiring minimal maintenance.
Another key factor influencing the choice of solution was regulatory compliance. Ports and industrial areas are subject to stringent environmental standards regarding water discharge, particularly concerning hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The project required a solution that could demonstrably and consistently reduce hydrocarbon concentrations in runoff water to levels well below permissible limits.
Solution
To address the challenges associated with treating hydrocarbon-contaminated runoff water, the project team opted for OSMORIA Geoclean Origin. This innovative solution was installed in swales along the coastal road and then covered with a layer of soil, providing an advanced treatment solution for road runoff water.
OSMORIA Geoclean works through a dual mechanism: it optimizes and systematizes the fixation and biodegradation of hydrocarbons contained in the water that passes through it. It fixes hydrocarbons to its filaments through adsorption (irreversible fixation), thereby preventing their migration into the subsoil. It then facilitates the biodegradation of the fixed hydrocarbon molecules. What sets the aquatextile apart is its ability to optimize the biodegradation of hydrocarbons and PAHs. Unlike conventional absorptive materials, the textile’s matrix releases essential natural nutrients that attract and support native soil microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms multiply and accelerate pollutant breakdown, delivering consistent performance across diverse environmental conditions.
Tests conducted by two independent French laboratories have demonstrated the effectiveness of aquatextile in retaining and biodegrading pollutants. Testing has demonstrated the aquatextile’s efficiency in pollutant retention and degradation. For example, laboratory trials with runoff water containing C10-C40 hydrocarbons at 30 mg/L showed a 99.9% retention and biodegradation rate, resulting in output concentrations below 0.03 mg/L. Additionally, the aquatextile has been shown to capture between 62% and 78% of PAHs, a fraction of hydrocarbons that are particularly harmful or even carcinogenic.
Beyond its characteristics, OSMORIA Geoclean is designed to last, with an operational life span exceeding 100 years. Unlike hydrocarbon separators or plant filters, it requires no maintenance, making it a cost-effective and sustainable solution for runoff management in port and industrial environments. Integrating the OSMORIA Geoclean Origin aquatextile into the swale also streamlined the overall implementation of the project while preserving the natural aesthetics of the site. The system's autonomous operation provides continuous rainwater treatment.
By equipping the port's drainage system with this advanced solution, HAROPA PORT | Rouen is moving closer to its objectives of improving infrastructure resilience, protecting water quality, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
