Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense storms and floods. The more extreme the storm, the more waste and pollutants end up in our oceans, rivers and streams.
Now a real buried treasure – known as a Debris Separating Baffle Box – is trying to catch the waste before it pollutes critical Bay Area waters, and just in time for the next set of atmospheric rivers.
CBS News Bay Area was shown an installation of one of these structures in Bay Point. Professional civil engineer John Stiver is a stormwater consultant with Contech Engineered Solutions. He explained that what is ending up in our local waterways is simply mind-boggling.
“We see chunks of concrete, we see basketballs, we see railroad ties, other things you’ll see floating in the Delta and in the Bay,” Stiver noted.
These baffle boxes offer a solution.
Two months ago, Contra Costa County installed a fourth large waste collection device on Willow Pass Road near Alves Lane. The crew excavated and reinforced a huge hold, in which a 40-ton structure was carefully placed and positioned.
The structure is impressive. Within this are a series of chambers, filters and cages that divert, capture and retain any waste and debris carried via rainwater to the drainage system. The baffle box collects more than large pieces of waste.
“We capture hydrocarbons, oil and grease that come from the street. We also capture fine sediment particles,” Stiver explains.
“We know the waste will be captured before it reaches the bay,” said Michelle Mancuso, Senior Watershed Management Planning Specialist with the Contra Costa County Watershed Program.
Mancuso noted that there are many reasons why communities don’t want trash in their creeks, rivers, streams or bays.
“It harms our water quality. It harms all organisms, the fish that live in the water. It is harmful to humans. It can spread viruses or bacteria or create less oxygen in the water, which ultimately harms humans and human health,” he explains. the specialist.
By July 2025, certain municipal stormwater systems in California must install such structures to prevent waste from entering and contaminating waterways.
Caltrans contributed $1.6 million for the Bay Point project.
The bafflebox is now underground and not visible. But some wells are. These are used to access the unit when it is full of waste and needs to be emptied.
Seven-year-old Sammy Jimenez and his mother Adele came out of their house to look at the installation. Both approved.
“It collects all the trash,” Sammy said.
“Sounds like a good plan,” his mother added.
Anne Makovec
