When it rains or snows, stormwater accumulates debris and pollutants in its path. If left untreated, sediment from construction sites, oils from parking lots, and all other forms of trash and debris would enter our local waterways during every rainstorm. That’s where Manufactured Treatment Devices (MTDs) come in. These engineered systems act like filters for stormwater, removing pollutants before the water leaves a site.
Manufactured Treatment Devices come in many shapes and sizes. Some consist of underground vaults that collect sediment over time, while others use replaceable filter cartridges to pull finer particles out of stormwater as it flows through. Each device serves the same goal: to clean stormwater before it’s released back into the environment.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recognizes certain MTDs as approved water quality treatment practices, allowing engineers to use them alongside – or in combination with – green infrastructure methods. While MTDs are not considered “green infrastructure” on their own, they often complement these systems by providing reliable pollutant removal in areas where space, soil, or grading limitations make natural solutions impractical. For example, a parking lot might use a Manufactured Treatment Device to treat runoff before it enters a nearby rain garden or infiltration basin.
By combining smart engineering with sustainable design, MTDs help communities reduce pollution, protect groundwater, and keep New Jersey’s waterways cleaner for everyone. If you are looking for a civil engineering firm that specializes in the application of these Manufactured Treatment Devices, call WJH Engineering today!