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Advanced Stormwater Oil Water Separators for Industrial Compliance

Managing First Flush. Controlling Hydrocarbons. Keeping Sites Compliant.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Stormwater Oil Water Separation

Stormwater is one of the most unpredictable wastewater streams in industry. Flows surge without warning, pollutant loads spike during the “first flush,” and regulatory limits grow tighter every year. Construction, industrial operations, transportation hubs, and fueling areas all face a common challenge: when stormwater carries oils, solids, and sheen off a site, regulators are watching and penalties follow.

Mercer International’s enhanced gravity separators bring dependable oil and solids removal to stormwater systems that have long struggled with underperforming hydrodynamic separators, clogged filters, and oversized concrete vaults. Built around controlled flow geometry, automatic product removal, and real-world capture efficiency, Mercer systems help facilities stay compliant even under surge conditions.

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Stormwater water oil separator system with oil and solids removal, illustrating challenges of hydrodynamic separators and vault

The Realities of Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater quality is shaped by factors beyond operator control: weather intensity, site activity, seasonal changes, and contaminant buildup on hard surfaces.

Key challenges include:

Traditional stormwater infrastructure: sumps, swirl concentrators, and plastic filters cannot deliver predictable hydrocarbon removal across changing flow and loading conditions.

Stormwater runoff flowing through pipe illustrating hydrocarbon removal challenges and Mercer stormwater oil water separator applications.

Where Mercer Systems Fit in Stormwater Applications

Mercer brings process-grade, API 421-aligned separation performance to environments traditionally dependent on low-efficiency devices.

Common stormwater applications include:

Mercer systems provide reliable primary treatment before discharge to storm sewers, drainage channels, infiltration systems, or reuse applications.

Sturdy tank design with internal separator elements and red/white color scheme for Mercer International oil-water

MERCER ADVANTAGE

Mercer’s Advantage in Stormwater

Unlike hydrodynamic separators or vault-based solutions, Mercer systems are engineered around predictable performance, even when flows are irregular.

Oil water separator shield icon representing compliance and hydrocarbon control for rail operations.

True Hydrocarbon Capture — Not Just Sediment Control

Mercer’s Multi-Pack™ coalescer media targets oil droplets down to 60 microns, outperforming swirl concentrators and filters that allow sheen and emulsified hydrocarbons to escape.

High-efficiency oil capture gauge illustrating Mercer separator performance for rail operations

Built for Surge Flow Stability

Controlled flow geometry prevents short-circuiting and bypass, a common failure mode of open-vault CPI packs and hydrodynamic units during peak rain events.

Rail separator protection and reliable performance for oily wastewater.

Automatic Oil & Solids Management

Timer-actuated solids purging and automatic oil recovery minimize operator intervention and limit confined-space entry to vaults.

Icon depicting oily wastewater separation and rail industry compliance.

Handles Grit, Sediment & Debris

Designed with pre-settlement zones and self-cleaning flow paths that resist plugging and fouling from site runoff.

Automated oil and solids removal cycle for rail wastewater separation.

Compact, Drop-In Integration

Mercer units integrate into tight industrial footprints and retrofit easily into existing concrete vaults or stormwater basins.

Shield icon representing operational safety and emissions control for Mercer oil-water separators.

Compliance-Focused Design

Performance aligns with EPA and state-specific stormwater requirements for hydrocarbon capture, sheen prevention, and solids control.

Rail wastewater separator system handling grit, dirt, and ballast fines. Large oil water separator in rail facility, Mercer International separation system for wastewater treatment. Mercer International oil water separator for rail facility wastewater treatment.

Typical Stormwater Hazards Mercer Tackles

Above ground oil-water separator, 50-75-100 GPM, channel with grit and debris illustrating solids handling for industrial wastewater.

Why Mercer

Why Stormwater Managers Choose Mercer

Stormwater systems often suffer from inadequate technology and unpredictable performance. Mercer solves these issues with engineered separation built for real conditions.

Mercer systems:

Mercer stormwater oil water separators undergoing testing and inspection by engineers.

Stormwater Under Control — Rain or Shine

Whether it’s industrial runoff, fueling area drainage, or high-traffic yard operations, Mercer International provides dependable hydrocarbon and solids removal that keeps facilities compliant and operations uninterrupted.

Let’s talk about your stormwater challenges.