Frequently Asked Questions

Select a specific category that relates to you, or just scroll down the page to read all the questions and answers. (Some repetition is evident across categories.)

• General
• Engineers
• Contractors
• Municipalities
• Property Owners/End Users

General

Q. I can't find a list of models, capacities and cost. Do you have one?
A. We design each stormwater treatment system on a site-by-site basis. We do attempt to use standard form sizes for our units, to save money, but the internal configuration is based on the flow directed to the unit, the types of pollution expected to be encountered, and the performance desired. If we are given engineering drawings, we can provide a price to within five percent, usually within an hour. You can find sample drawings under Technical Details on each product page.

Q. How big an area can your device handle?
A. Our stormwater treatment units are based on flow. For the catastrophic storm, such as the 25-year storm, our stormwater treatment systesm range from 6 to 100 cfs in capacity, without by-passing. Those same units will usually treat from 2 to 12 cfs in the water quality storm, depending on the jurisdiction.There are devices that bypass, based on offsite flows and other special conditions. Please visit our Links & Downloads to get a "Design Information Sheet", or complete our online form to get a stormwater treatment design specific to your area. These capacities depend on the internal design, but the numbers above are good approximations. About 10 acres (in most areas of the USA) of impervious surface is the most one device can handle without by-passing. This would have a large peak flow for a specific catastrophic storm, that would seldom need to be by-passed. The water quality storm, which is smaller, is never by-passed.

Q. How much do the units cost?
A. The base cost today (aluminum and concrete costs can vary) is from about $7,000 for the smallest unit to about $48,000 for the largest (36 cfs) vault itself. Depending on the depth of your pipe, the your riser cost will vary but is usually less than $3,000. There is very little difference between traffic and non-traffic lids.

Q. What does installation cost?
A. Installatin cost vary from region to region, however typical installation cost are similar to that of a water meter pit of equivalent size. We have no installation cost paid to us. Our purchase costs above include all freight, delivery and assembly charges. The contractor will dig the hole, level the bottom, and set the unit. The contractor finishes the job by mudding out the pipes and back-filling around the unit.

Q. What are your pollution removal rates and how do you meet local specifications?
A. Every flow based device has a variable performance curve. In short, the slower the stormwater treatment device flows, in almost all cases, the more efficient it is, especially for smaller particles. Ours is the same. First, we meet with the local authorities and determine their standards. Then, we propose operational limits for our device, based on our design calculations, that meet those standards. By the time you submit your plans, they will already know if our submission for your job meets their approval. We provide you with a calculation sheet to accompany your plans, detailing exactly how the stormwater treatment system we propose will satisfy their rules and regulations. CrystalStream Technologies has independent third party testing that confirms our performance. Our third party testing program continues in several areas of the country. Please call for details.

Q. During construction, who will clean out this unit as it fills with silt and debris?
A. The site contractor is responsible for the cleaning until the site is turned over to the owner. That is the bad news. The good news is that the stormwater treatment device will prevent almost all sediment or other pollutants from leaving the site and will help protect you from violations. There is also a spill protection feature that will help protect you from accidental fuel spills or other hydrocarbon spills. Also, it is much easier to clean this unit than to clean the materials out of a dirty pond. Our site specialist will be able to assist you with cleaning information, or our local cleaning company will do it for you.

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Engineers

Q. Besides the obvious pipe and flow data, what will I need to send to you?
A. We need to see a plan view of the entire site (reduced is fine), and the area where we are proposed to be situated. We need topography and ground cover in our install area. Finally, we need the jurisdiction of the job so we can coordinate with the local authorities. Please visit our Links & Downloads to get a "Design Information Sheet", or complete our online form to get a stormwater treatment design specific to your area.

Q. How big an area can your device handle?
A. Our units are based on flow. For the catastrophic storm, such as the 25-year storm, our devices range from 6 to 36 cfs in capacity, without by-passing. Those same units will usually treat from 2 to 12 cfs in the water quality storm, depending on the jurisdiction.There are stormwater treatment devices that bypass, based on offsite flows and other special conditions. Please visit our Links & Downloads to get a "Design Information Sheet", or complete our online form to get a design specific to your area.
These capacities depend on the internal design, but the numbers above are good approximations. About 10 acres (in most areas of the USA) of impervious surface is the most one device can handle without by-passing. This would have a large peak flow for a specific catastrophic storm, that would seldom need to be by-passed. The water quality storm, which is smaller, is never by-passed.

Q. How much do the units cost?
A. The base cost today (aluminum and concrete costs can vary) is from about $7,000 for the smallest unit to about $48,000 for the largest (36 cfs) vault itself. Depending on the depth of your pipe, the your riser cost will vary but is usually less then $3,000. There is very little difference between traffic and non-traffic lids.

Q. What are your pollution removal rates and how do you meet local specifications?
A. Every flow based device has a variable performance curve. In short, the slower the stormwater treatment device flows, in almost all cases, the more efficient it is, especially for smaller particles. Ours is the same. First, we meet with the local authorities and determine their standards. Then, we propose operational limits for our device based on our design calculations that meet those standards. By the time you submit your plans, they will already know if our submission for your job meets their approval. We provide you with a calculation sheet to accompany your plans, detailing exactly how the stormwater treatment system we propose will satisfy their rules and regulations. CrystalStream Technologies has independent third party testing that confirms our performance. Our third party testing program continues in several areas of the country. Please call for details.

Contractors

Q. If every unit is different, how can I be sure about how to assemble and install your product and the costs involved?
A. The unit will arrive fully assembled. There will likely be a riser that will be attached to the top of the stormwater treatment unit and/or a traffic lid.   Your job will be to excavate the hole for the unit, typically to about four feet below your pipe. You will have to level the hole, so most contractors use a gravel base to make that job easier. For smaller units, in some cases our supplier will lower the unit into place, and you will only have to "mud out" the pipes and backfill. Call your supplier to work this out.  The delivery truck is usually on the site less than an hour.

Q. What will I have to do to make the unit operational?
A. All internal adjustments and weir heights have been set at the factory. The unit will be fully functional on arrival and installation.

Q. During construction, who will clean out this unit as it fills with silt and debris?
A. The site contractor is responsible for cleaning until the site is turned over to the owner. That is the bad news. The good news is that the stormwater treatment device will prevent almost all sediment or other pollutants from leaving the site and will help protect you from violations. There is also a spill protection feature that will help protect you from accidental fuel spills or other hydrocarbon spills. Also, it is much easier to clean this unit than to clean the materials out of a dirty pond. Our site specialist will be able to assist you with cleaning information, or our local cleaning company will do it for you.

Q. How about the final site permits, inspections, and other paperwork needed to turn the site over to the owner?
A. We will certify that you have left a clean device on the site, in good working order, to both your owner and the authorities. Our site specialist will provide a letter to you and the authorities stating such, after our final inspection. At that point, the owner will take over cleaning and maintenance of the stormwater treatment unit.

Q. How quickly can I get the unit if you have to make each one to order?
A. A typical delivery time is three weeks. If a contractor is in a bind, faster deliveries can be arranged most of the time. You will know our schedule as soon as you have the job awarded to you. Our project manager for your job will contact you with all the details about ordering, etc. We will give you plenty of time to order, but we understand that construction work is difficult to schedule in some cases, so feel free to ask for our help in a quick delivery.

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Municipalities

Q. Who will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining these units in our jurisdiction?
A. We clean and maintain our own stormwater treatment units in most areas. We have an ongoing arrangement with the site’s owner to do so. He will be under contract with us, and we will take the responsibility for keeping the units clean and in good working order. A key will be kept on site for access to the unit, and the municipal inspectors will also have a pass key for all our units. They can inspect our work at any time. Service and cleaning reports will be sent to the state and local jurisdiction each time the unit is maintained or cleaned. Records will also be kept at our office and a copy left at the site. We will not sell any device and leave the owner and the municipality to fend for themselves for cleaning and maintenance.

Q. As standards change, how can we be sure your stormwater treatment devices will continue to perform?
A. We cannot predict the future, but we do remain on site and available to work with you to address future regulations. Even today, we add special components in some applications and some areas to address special needs.

Q. Non-Point Source pollution control is more than just structural devices. Our program calls for a wide variety of public education and other measures. How do you address that?
A. We have a presence in your area. As a course of business, we visit design professionals, contractors, and others in your area on a scheduled basis. We are always ready to participate in community events, such as a watershed fair or a soil and erosion exposition. We also will visit local schools, usually in the morning when we have a scheduled demonstration in your area. Please ask our local representative.

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Property Owners/End Users

Q. How much do the units cost?
A. The base cost today (aluminum and concrete costs can vary) is from about $7,000 for the smallest unit to about $48,000 for the largest (36 cfs) vault itself. Depending on the depth of your pipe, the your riser cost will vary but is usually less than $3,000. There is very little cost difference between traffic and non-traffic lids.

Q. What does installation cost?
A. Typically, under $2,500, charged by the site contractor. We have no installation cost paid to us. Our purchase costs above include all freight, delivery and assembly charges. The contractor will dig the hole, level the bottom, and set the unit. The contractor finishes the job by mudding out the pipes and back-filling around the unit.

Q. Why do you want me to sign up for maintenance?
A. These stormwater treatment units trap pollution. Trash, landscape trimmings, dirt, oil, and anything else that may fall onto your parking lot or onto the rest of your property will be trapped. The unit will fill up and, finally, block flows in your pipe system. We clean the unit, remove the pollution, and dispose of it. We do this at the lowest possible cost to you, and you are welcome to hire someone else to do it at any time if we are not cost effective for you. Rather than leave you or someone on site to remember that the law requires these types of stormwater treatment devices to be cleaned periodically, we take the responsibility for you. We also do not clean the unit before it needs cleaning. If we visit and it is not ready, we do not charge you. You will have records proving that you comply with the law on site, and someone to call if there is any problem. We do not think it is fair to sell you a unit and walk away, leaving the problems of cleaning and maintenance to you.

Q. Our company is nationwide. Why don’t you service all areas of the country?
A. Although we are in most areas, we do not cover the entire USA. We have the capability to deliver to any location, and will work with you to arrange purchase, installation and cleaning services. We cannot, and will not, sell over the phone or from a brochure and price chart. Our engineers evaluate each site, consult with each municipality when necessary, and offer a site specific design. Our suppliers supervise every installation, watch the unit closely during construction, and verify the unit as working when turned over to the owner. We will make sure that the stormwater treatment device is inspected periodically, and we will either perform or supervise cleaning and maintenance. Our customer service is what sets us apart from others. We are constantly expanding into new markets. Let us know of your needs and we will do our best to accommodate you.

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