PROJECT

Floating Trash Interceptor

Our team provided design and permitting services for a floating structure that removes trash and debris from San Diego Creek during storms. The Newport Bay Trash Interceptor is an innovative approach to reduce trash on area beaches and improve area water quality.

The plan for this floating, solar-and-hydro-powered interceptor covered trash capture, conveyance and removal. Our team included professionals experienced in stormwater management, water quality and solid waste.

Our environmental professionals secured permits to protect the sensitive habitat in accordance with federal, state and local requirements. Prior to any disturbance, preconstruction surveys and biological monitoring were conducted to prevent adverse effects on wildlife.

The trash interceptor design was based on a water wheel conveyor concept in operation at several locations on the East Coast, but it addressed several design challenges specific to Newport Beach. These challenges included extreme flow conditions during storm events, the accommodation of sea level rise, the physical transfer of collected waste out of the creek, and a provision for a practical landside trash removal system.

The trash wheel has the capacity to collect as much as 80% of trash and debris from the creek, keeping it from flowing into the harbor and ocean. We also implemented aesthetic measures, landscaping and visual screening of the waste collection to mitigate stakeholder concerns and enhance public appeal.

Client

City of Newport Beach

Location

Newport Beach, California

Region

West

Services

Environmental

Solid Waste & Resource Recovery

Stormwater Management

Industry

Environmental

Technical Approach

We worked closely with the city on cost-effective solutions. One key challenge was for the trash collector to move with changing water levels during storm events and tidal cycles while transferring collected trash to a fixed system on the creek bank. Our design team developed alternatives for presentation to the city’s Public Works Department, then took the selected solution through a detailed operational and structural analysis that addressed the varying site conditions. We included telemetry and remote system operational controls and monitoring equipment to reduce long-term operational costs.

Our team also created 3D visualization graphics and a detailed operation and maintenance plan to address comments from area residents regarding visual and noise impacts. We assisted with presentation materials and concept plans for meetings with the Orange County Flood Control District and the site owner, Irvine Company, as well as to address permit issues and concerns throughout the approval process.