Water Filtration and erosion control system and method

Abstract

An erosion control system and method wherein a fabric filter bag is embedded with and/or filled with a flocculating polymer and is positioned on a sloping soil surface to dam and pond water flowing thereacross for settling of the particles in the water, and as the ponding water seeps into the bag the colloidal particles will be filtered or agglomerated for settling. The water then passes through and out of the bag and is further subjected to agglomeration and filtering by a skirt of filter material also impregnated with flocculating polymer, said skirt being anchored to the bag or stacked to maintain the position adjacent and downslope from the bag.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . A method of controlling erosion on a surface having soil susceptible to erosion comprising the steps of providing a filtering fabric with an embedded flocculant therein; forming a shaped article from said fabric; and, positioning said article on said surface. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the shaped article is a bag and the method of securing said article comprises filling the bag with ballast material. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the shaped article is a skirt and the method of securing is performed by attaching the skirt to another article or staking said skirt. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said article is secured by its own weight in combination with the adhering properties of said flocculant. 
   
   
       33 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said surface is a sloping surface and said filter fabric is a multilayer fabric. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the shaped article is a flattened bag. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said flattened bag has ballast therein. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the shaped article is a skirt. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the flocculant material has been selected in accordance with the type of said soil. 
   
   
       40 . A shaped article for controlling erosion on a surface having soil susceptible to erosion comprising:
 a) a filtering fabric; and   b) a flocculant embedded therein.   
   
   
       41 . The shaped article of  claim 40  wherein said filter fabric is a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       42 . The shaped article of  claim 40  wherein said flocculant is selected in accordance with the type of soil in the surface upon which the article will be positioned. 
   
   
       43 . The shaped article of  claim 40  wherein said article is selected from the group of shaped articles consisting of bags, tubes, and skirts.