Aqua-Swirl® Stormwater Treatment Systems

When stormwater runoff flows across parking lots, roadways, and commercial properties, it can carry sediment, trash, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants into the storm drain system. Aqua-Swirl® systems are designed to remove these contaminants before they reach downstream waterways and stormwater management facilities.

The Aqua-Swirl® is a hydrodynamic separator that uses vortex flow and gravity separation to capture sediment, debris, trash, and free-floating oil within a below-ground treatment chamber. As pollutants accumulate over time, routine inspection and maintenance are necessary to maintain treatment performance and support regulatory compliance.

iSTORMWATER provides professional Aqua-Swirl® hydrodynamic separator inspection, maintenance, sediment removal, and repair services throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, DC. Our experienced crews help commercial property owners, property managers, HOAs, municipalities, government agencies, and contractors keep stormwater treatment systems operating as designed.

Whether your Aqua-Swirl® system requires a routine inspection, sediment cleanout, vacuum truck service, or corrective repairs, our team can help restore and maintain system performance.

What Is an Aqua-Swirl® Hydrodynamic Separator?

An Aqua-Swirl® system is a stormwater treatment device that uses hydrodynamic separation technology to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff. As runoff enters the treatment chamber through a tangential inlet, a circular vortex flow pattern is created. This swirling action slows water velocity and allows heavier materials such as sediment, grit, and debris to settle while oils and floatable materials remain separated within the chamber.

Hydrodynamic separators are commonly installed as pretreatment devices within a stormwater management system to protect downstream BMPs, ponds, underground facilities, infiltration practices, and proprietary treatment systems. By capturing pollutants before they reach other stormwater infrastructure, Aqua-Swirl® systems help improve overall stormwater treatment performance and extend the lifespan of downstream facilities.

Aqua-Swirl® systems are commonly found at:

• Commercial properties
• Office parks
• Retail centers
• Industrial facilities
• Municipal sites
• Government facilities
• Transportation projects
• Institutional campuses
• Mixed-use developments

Routine inspection and maintenance are critical because accumulated sediment, trash, and debris can reduce storage capacity, treatment efficiency, and overall system performance over time.

Aqua-Swirl® System Types We Service

iSTORMWATER provides inspection and maintenance services for all Aqua-Swirl® hydrodynamic separator configurations.

Aqua-Swirl® XCelerator

The XCelerator model is designed to maximize suspended solids removal through advanced hydrodynamic separation. The system uses vortex flow and gravity separation to capture sediment while maintaining effective treatment performance during storm events.

Aqua-Swirl® Concentrator

The Concentrator configuration directs water quality flows into the treatment chamber while bypassing larger storm events. This design helps improve pollutant removal and is commonly used where stormwater regulations require targeted runoff treatment.

Aqua-Swirl® Trash Capture

The Trash Capture model incorporates screening technology alongside hydrodynamic separation to remove trash, debris, floatables, and sediment from stormwater runoff before it enters downstream infrastructure.

Our technicians are experienced in inspecting, maintaining, cleaning, and repairing each Aqua-Swirl® configuration to help ensure long-term performance.

Aqua-Swirl® Inspection Services

Regular inspections help identify maintenance needs before they become larger performance or compliance issues. Most hydrodynamic separators should be inspected annually, though facilities with higher sediment loads may require more frequent evaluations.

During an Aqua-Swirl® inspection, our team evaluates:

• Sediment accumulation levels
• Trash and debris buildup
• Floatable material accumulation
• Structural condition of the unit
• Internal component condition
• Evidence of damage or deterioration
• Inlet and outlet functionality
• Overall treatment performance

Detailed inspection documentation can be provided to support stormwater compliance programs, maintenance records, and regulatory reporting requirements.

Aqua-Swirl® Maintenance & Sediment Removal

Like all hydrodynamic separators, Aqua-Swirl® systems require periodic sediment and debris removal to maintain available storage volume and treatment capacity. Without routine maintenance, excessive accumulation can reduce system effectiveness and increase the likelihood of pollutant carryover during storm events.

iSTORMWATER uses vacuum truck services and specialized stormwater maintenance equipment to remove accumulated sediment, trash, debris, and floatable materials from Aqua-Swirl® systems. After cleaning, our crews inspect internal components and identify any maintenance or repair recommendations.

Maintenance frequency varies based on drainage area characteristics, site conditions, traffic volume, and pollutant loading. Properties with significant sediment sources, construction activity, or high-traffic surfaces often require more frequent service.

Our Aqua-Swirl® maintenance services include:

• Sediment removal
• Trash and debris removal
• Vacuum truck cleanout services
• Floatable material removal
• Oil and hydrocarbon removal
• Internal component inspections
• Minor repairs and corrective maintenance
• Maintenance reporting and documentation

Why Routine Aqua-Swirl® Maintenance Matters

Routine maintenance helps preserve the performance of your hydrodynamic separator while protecting downstream stormwater infrastructure.

Benefits of regular Aqua-Swirl® maintenance include:

• Improved pollutant removal performance
• Reduced risk of system failure
• Protection of downstream BMPs and treatment practices
• Increased storage capacity within the unit
• Support for stormwater permit compliance
• Reduced long-term repair costs
• Extended service life of stormwater infrastructure

Proactive maintenance can help property owners avoid costly corrective repairs while ensuring stormwater treatment systems continue to function as intended.

Why Choose iSTORMWATER?

iSTORMWATER specializes exclusively in stormwater management inspection, maintenance, repair, and compliance services. Our experienced crews understand the unique maintenance requirements of proprietary stormwater treatment systems, including hydrodynamic separators.

When you partner with iSTORMWATER, you benefit from:

• Experienced stormwater maintenance professionals
• Specialized vacuum truck services
• Comprehensive inspection reporting
• Regulatory compliance support
• Responsive scheduling
• Service throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, DC
• Expertise across a wide range of proprietary stormwater BMPs

Our goal is to help property owners and managers protect their stormwater infrastructure investments while maintaining compliance and operational performance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aqua-Swirl® Systems

What is a hydrodynamic separator?

A hydrodynamic separator is a stormwater treatment device that uses vortex flow, gravity separation, and internal design features to remove sediment, debris, trash, and free-floating oils from stormwater runoff before discharge to downstream systems.

How often should an Aqua-Swirl® system be inspected?

Most Aqua-Swirl® systems should be inspected annually. However, facilities with heavy sediment loads, high traffic volumes, or significant runoff generation may require more frequent inspections.

How often does an Aqua-Swirl® system need maintenance?

Maintenance frequency depends on site-specific conditions and inspection findings. Sediment removal is typically recommended when accumulated material reaches maintenance thresholds that could impact treatment performance.

What pollutants does an Aqua-Swirl® hydrodynamic separator remove?

Aqua-Swirl® systems are designed to capture sediment, grit, trash, debris, floatables, and free-floating oil from stormwater runoff.

Can iSTORMWATER provide Aqua-Swirl® cleanout services?

Yes. iSTORMWATER provides Aqua-Swirl® inspection, maintenance, vacuum truck cleaning, sediment removal, repair, and compliance support services throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, DC.

Schedule Aqua-Swirl® Maintenance Services

Need inspection, maintenance, or sediment removal services for your Aqua-Swirl® hydrodynamic separator?

Contact iSTORMWATER today to schedule service and keep your stormwater treatment system operating at peak performance.

📞 Call us at (410) 231-3455 or 💬 Contact us online.