Hydro filter approved for 'pilot use' in Washington state

• Stormwater filtration device achieves significant milestone in state known for stringent environmental regulations

PORTLAND, ME, May 15, 2008 -- 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 the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) has approved Hydro's Up-Flo™ Filter for a "Pilot Use Level Designation" in stormwater projects.

The State designated the Up-Flo for pilot use in the stand-alone treatment of stormwater flows. The Up-Flo Filter is approved for use to treat flow rates of 22.7 gpm per square foot of filter surface area. Four different media types have been approved for use, including sand, perlite, Hydro's CPZ Mix™, a blend of carbon, peat and zeolite, and Hydro's CPS Mix™, a blend of carbon peat and sand.

The Up-Flo Filter is a high-rate stormwater filtration technology that removes trash, sediments, nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff. As the industry's only fluidized bed upflow filtration technology, the Up-Flo Filter provides a higher level of treatment, a higher rate of filtration, longer life of filter media and a longer maintenance cycle than other filter systems.

The Washington State Department of Ecology oversees all efforts in the state to prevent pollution, clean up pollution, and support sustainable communities and natural resources. Many other states and municipalities across the country follow Washington State DOE approval guidelines when authorizing the use of equipment in stormwater treatment projects.

"We're thrilled to receive this designation from the Washington DOE, which is known as one of the most diligent regulatory agencies in the nation," said David Mongeau, General Manager of Hydro's U.S. Stormwater Division. "This important first step reflects the level of confidence both public and private water quality experts continue to exhibit in the Up-Flo's performance and reliability."

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.

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