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
Q. I can't find a list of models, capacities and cost. Do you have one?
A. We design each unit 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.
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 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 $38,000 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. Typically, under $1,500, charged by the site contractor. We have no installation cost paid
to us. Our purchase costs above include all freight, delivery and assembly charges,
and include crane services. The contractor will dig the hole, level the bottom, and
we 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 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 unit 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 cleaning until the site is turned over
the the owner. That is the bad news. The good news is that the 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.
Engineers
Q. If you design each site differently, how can I provide a detail that is correct
for my site?
A. We provide the detail for you, with all information, inverts, etc., exactly
matching your site and pipe chart. We send it to you as an electronic DWG file.
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 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 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 $38,000 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 does installation cost?
A. Typically, under $1,500, charged by the site contractor. We have no installation cost paid
to us. Our purchase costs above include all freight, delivery and assembly charges,
and include crane services. The contractor will dig the hole, level the bottom, and
we 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 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 unit 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 unit and/or a traffic lid. We provide a crane truck
to offload and lower each piece of the device into its final position. You do not have to lift or carry
the unit. 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. Our crane truck will lower the unit
into place, and you will only have to "mud out" the pipes and backfill. Our truck
is usually on the site less than an hour. In addition to the crane operator, we
will have a site specialist present for every install to assist you.
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 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.
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.
Municipalities
Q. How do we know that your device will perform as advertised?
A. We will follow your design standards, your specifications, and your local
rules. Before any device goes into your jurisdiction, we will show you exactly
how we design our units and let you determine how well they meet your standards.
Every proposal you see from us from then on will follow the guidelines you have
set for us. Each unit will be designed for the individual site submitted, and
we will provide you with drawings and calculations specific to that site. If,
at any time, you are not satisfied with our plans, we will change to meet your
wishes, or we will withdraw the proposal. 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. Who will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining these units in our jurisdiction?
A. We clean and maintain our own units. 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 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. We have 303d listed, impacted streams. How do you address specific pollutants?
A. Our site specific design revolves around flow data, but it is much more. We look
upstream in the area tributary to the site in question to see what likely pollutants will be coming
to our device. Sometimes, we are simply not the right solution for a particular
problem. Often, we have to team with another BMP to address a problem. We might
be the front end "gross" pollutant removal device, to protect an infiltration
device located below us, if bacteria is the major problem on a site. We also look
downstream to see what watershed we are in and what impacts exist. If we can
address the problems, we do but if we cannot, we recommend other measures. We can
be targeted to certain areas and add components to enhance our performance.
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. We cannot, and do not, sell through distributors,
or off of a brochure. 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.
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 $38,000 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 $1,500, charged by the site contractor. We have no installation cost paid
to us. Our purchase costs above include all freight, delivery and assembly charges,
and include crane services. The contractor will dig the hole, level the bottom, and
we 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 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 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 a policy that requires a person, working solely for our interests, in
every area we serve. We cannot, and will not, sell over the phone or from a brochure
and price chart. We must have a local presence to be able to evaluate each site, visit each
municipality when necessary, supervise every installation, watch the unit closely
during construction, verify the unit as working when turned over to the owner,
inspect the unit periodically, and supervise cleaning and maintenance. Our customer
service is what sets us apart from others. Our people don't sell forklifts, shoes,
or pipe in their spare time-- they work for us. We are constantly expanding into
new markets. Let us know of your needs, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
This website is published by CrystalStream Technologies in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
All contents © 2006 CrystalStream Technologies. All rights reserved. No reprint without express written consent.
CrystalStream Technologies · 2090 Sugarloaf Parkway Suite 135 · Lawrenceville, GA 30045
770.979.6516 voice · 770.979.6954 fax · 800.748.6945 toll-free · engineering@crystalstream.com
Web design and maintenance by cmlStudios LLC in Mesa, Arizona.