Minneapolis-based start-up Upstream Technologies believes its technology can help prevent harmful sediment from entering lakes and streams.
Upstream Technologies plans to commercialize a device called the "SAFL Baffle" that was developed at the College of Science and Engineering, the University of Minnesota said on Thursday. The device works by slowing down water runoff, thereby preventing the water from picking up harmful sediments.
"Urban runoff hits the road, goes into the storm sewers and ends up in receiving water bodies like lakes and rivers," said John Guillver, a civil engineering professor in the U's College of Science and Engineering and co-founder of the SAFL Baffle. "Cities are required to treat urban runoff and are trying to figure out how to deal with this."
The device will be installed this month in vertical cylinders that connect sewage pipes, known as sumps, in Minneapolis, Prior Lake and Bloomington.
The company says its device costs less than competing devices that offer features that often aren't necessary.
A.J. Schwidder is CEO of Upstream Technologies. Schwidder is the co-founder of Additional Storage, a company that leases storage space. Schwidder has worked at several engineering firms.
