Steel Byproducts Cut E.coli and Phosphate Levels in Pilot-Scale Stormwater Filtration Study
Posted: Jun 19, 2025
Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination of stormwater runoff was reduced by an average of more than 44%, and phosphate levels were also significantly reduced in a pilot stormwater filtration that used steel chips and steel slag as a filtration media. South Dakota State University researchers conducted the study in Sioux Falls during the summer of 2024. E. coli in stormwater runoff presents a significant environmental risk for both human and aquatic health. Conventional stormwater treatment technologies are generally not effective at removing E. coli. The pilot scale study’s results confirmed those of previous research and showed that media filtration using steel chips and steel slag effectively removed E. coli and phosphate under real stormwater treatment conditions. The researchers recommend full-scale applications of this filtration technology to reduce the E. coli and phosphate contamination from stormwater runoff and protect natural water resources.
Guanghui Hua, Ph.D.
South Dakota State University