Hydro International to Treat CSO Flows in Bucksport, Maine.

Storm King Overflow Unit Will Be First Advanced Vortex Technology CSO Solution Installed Remotely in State

PORTLAND, Maine -- Hydro International, a leading provider of environmentally sustainable products and innovative solutions that control and treat stormwater, wastewater and combined sewer overflows, today announced that it has been chosen by the Town of Bucksport, Maine, to supply a Storm King([R]) Overflow unit to treat the combined sewer and stormwater overflows that occur during heavy rainstorms.

The deal marks the first time a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) treatment unit using advanced vortex technology will be installed remotely - away from a central wastewater treatment plant - in the state of Maine. Treating the flow remotely will remove the pollutants to meet the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water quality standards and save the town the expense of having to pump the flows a long distance and upgrade sewer lines along the way.

The Town of Bucksport, located along the Maine coast just south of Bangor, is undertaking its CSO treatment project to comply with state and federal orders to improve the cleanliness of the flows discharging into the Penobscot River. The $2.9 million project includes the costs of engineering services, purchases of property and demolition of buildings. The Hydro International equipment accounts for about 10 percent of the project's costs.

"We needed a solution that improved the treatment of CSO discharges to Maine DEP specifications and, at the same time, came at a reasonable cost to taxpayers," Bucksport Mayor Jeff Robinson said. "We looked at a number of solutions, and Hydro International's Storm King has the best solution to meet both of those challenges."

Bucksport officials also pointed to Storm King's lower maintenance requirements as a key factor in the town's choice of a solution.

Bucksport has broken ground on the site of the 18-foot Storm King unit in the center of town, near the Penobscot shore, with plans to complete the project by next spring.

The federal government has issued longstanding orders to many Maine communities to deal with the environmental effects of Combined Sewer Overflows. Some communities are opting to separate their stormwater and wastewater sewers, at a high cost, while others are treating the flows at a much lower cost. A number of Maine cities, including Portland, Machias, Indian Township, Presque Isle, Calais, Ellsworth, Limestone, Loring and Caribou, are currently considering solutions to address the issue.

The Storm King is an advanced hydrodynamic vortex separator used for the effective removal of floatables, settleable solids and associated pollutants. The vortex technology spins the contents and allows solids to settle out cleanly and effectively.

"We are proud the Town of Bucksport chose Hydro's Storm King as the solution for this demanding project that is crucial to protecting the water quality of the Penobscot River," said Stephen Hides, CEO, Hydro International.

About Hydro International

Hydro International, based in Portland, Maine, is a leading provider of environmentally sustainable products and innovative solutions that control and treat stormwater, wastewater and combined sewer overflows, utilizing award-winning advanced vortex and complimentary technologies. The company has more than 25 years experience working with municipalities, environmental regulators, engineers, contractors and land developers, and more than 40 years experience researching the development of leading-edge products targeting wet-weather issues. It has international offices in Dublin, Ireland, and Clevedon and Ely in the U.K.