According to the article “Smart hybrid system resource.pdf”, a new pilot project developed through a joint research effort between EcoClean Technology and the University of Nottingham Malaysia has demonstrated a low-cost Hybrid Stormwater Treatment System (HSTS) designed to treat and reuse polluted urban runoff in tropical cities. The multi-stage process begins by directing real stormwater from an existing drainage network into a flow equalisation tank, after which Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) technology removes litter, debris, and solids. Next, the water flows through a floating wetland planted with vetiver grass to naturally absorb nutrients, followed by a final polishing stage utilizing biochar and natural zeolite filtration.

The pilot system achieved highly encouraging results, reducing Total Suspended Solids by 90%, Biochemical Oxygen Demand by 80%, nitrate by 78%, and both Total Dissolved Solids and Chemical Oxygen Demand by 57%, while also cutting oil and grease by 50%. To optimize operations, the system integrates Raspberry Pi devices and cloud-based Python dashboards for near real-time monitoring, which enhances data collection during storm events and triggers maintenance alerts. Ultimately, this project highlights how combining proven treatment technologies, nature-based solutions, and smart monitoring can successfully transform a stormwater waste stream into a scalable, resilient resource for urban water management.