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Ecology has developed a new technology evaluation program (see Chapter 12 of Volume V of the western Washington stormwater manual). The program reviews engineering reports on the performance of new technologies and reports the results at Ecology's web site. Test protocols have been developed for permanent stormwater treatment systems and for construction sites. These protocols specify sampling criteria, site and technology information, quality assurance and quality control measures, target pollutants, and evaluation report content.
Technology Assessment Protocol (TAPE) – Ecology's TAPE is intended for ultra-urban treatment technologies and those treatment technologies that do not have a chemical component for treatment.
Chemical Technology Assessment Protocol (CTAPE) – Ecology's CTAPE is intended for construction site treatment technologies and any technology that uses a chemical component for treatment.
To help Ecology with new technology evaluations for permanent systems and for chemical treatment at construction sites, technical review committees (TRC & CTRC) were formed representing local governments from eastern and western Washington. They act in an advisory capacity to provide recommendations to Ecology on the level of development of each technology. Regular meetings of these committees with Ecology staff and suppliers are held to discuss pertinent aspects of technology evaluation reports and related technology considerations.
Ecology and the TRC are currently reviewing several performance evaluation reports on new stormwater treatment technologies. These reports will be used to determine "levels of development" of each of the new technologies.
Pilot Use Level will be designated for promising technologies that will need
more verification testing.
General Use Level will be designated if the evaluation report demonstrates,
with a sufficient degree of confidence, that the technology is expected to
achieve Ecology's performance goals.
Conditional Use Designation can also be issued for those technologies that are in widespread use in Washington or are considered equivalent to approved technologies, and they are considered likely to attain a General Use Level provided that testing following the protocol is completed within a specified time-period.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
