Abstract: The apparatus treats storm water and includes a cylindrical basket that has a housing with a circumferentially extending air slot near the base of the housing. The basket contains an annular bed of absorbent material surrounded by a filter cartridge. Water flows radially inward through the filter and the bed into a cylindrical inner drainage space which has an outlet at its lower end, covered by a float valve. The drainage space is also in fluid communication with a one-way valve that allows air to pass from the housing into the environment. During operation, the float valve lifts when the water level rises and air is expelled from the drainage space through the one-way valve. As a result, water is continuously siphoned through the basket apparatus. When the water level drops, air enters through the air inlet slot of the housing and rises in turbulent fashion along the filter, scouring the filter and dislodging particulates.

Abstract: Apparatus and for the treatment of storm water runoff to remove contaminants that accumulate in the storm water when it flows over paved surfaces in urban areas. The apparatus includes a basket that has an outer surrounding water-permeable wall, and an inner water-permeable wall, spaced from and surrounded by the outer wall. A bed of an absorbent, able to absorb contaminants in the storm water, is disposed in the space between the outer and inner walls, while allowing fluid communication between the walls. An inner drainage space is defined by the inner wall and is in fluid communication with the absorbent. During operation, storm water flows through the outer permeable wall, into the bed where it is treated; and treated water flows from the bed through the inner wall into the inner drainage space. Treated water then flows from the drainage space, in some embodiments under a siphon-effect, into a treated water drainage conduit for disposal.