Aerial view of two rectangular garden beds with shrubs, surrounded by small plants and curved concrete pathways.

Rapterra™ High Flow Rate Bioretention

Rapterra is an engineered biofiltration system certified to remove 80% of total suspended solids at flow rates up to 941 inches per hour—the highest treatment flow rate of any New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Certified Green Infrastructure MTD.
Find Your Local Sales Contact

Our local contacts are experts who are ready to help!

Green Infrastructure in a Small Footprint

 

Raterra is only available in New Jersey 

Rapterra is an engineered biofiltration system certified to remove 80% of total suspended solids at flow rates up to 941 inches per hour—the highest treatment flow rate of any New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Certified Green Infrastructure MTD.

These high flow rates help engineers minimize treatment footprint, enabling compact designs at decentralized inlet structures. With a shallow profile that integrates into most sites, Rapterra also supports a range of plant types to align with site aesthetics. The result is a high-performance, NJDEP-Certified bioretention solution that fits tight sites, and supports attractive landscape integration.

Typical NJ GI Project – 0.5ac site

  • Conventional small scale bioretention system: ~1700sf
  • Contech Rapterra system: 6’x12’ Unit (72sf)
  • Increased usable land space (e.g. parking spaces or green space)

How Rapterra Works

  1. Stormwater enters the Rapterra via pipe, curb inlet, or sheet flow and ponds above the pretreatment mulch layer, where heavy sediment and debris are captured. The mulch layer also helps retain moisture for vegetation.
  2. Stormwater then passes through engineered Rapterra media at flow rates up to 942’/hr., filteringfine sediment and suspended solids.
  3. Treated water discharges through an underdrain pipe.

Rapterra Features and Benefits

Features Benefits
NJDEP certified flow rate up to 942"/hr. Minimize footprint and cost

Compact Design

Optimizes treatment at decentralized inlet structures

Multiple configurations and aesthetic options

Integrates easily into any site or landscape plan

Delivered as a complete package with all system components Quality control for easy, fast and successful installation

 

Rapterra Approvals

Rapterra is approved through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) as a Certified Green Infrastructure MTD.

Rapterra Configurations

  • Rapterra Offline - Top Slab
  • Rapterra Online - Open Top or Top Slab
  • Rapterra Peak Diversion - Open Top or Top Slab
  • Rapterra Bioscape Vault Basin - Online or Offline
  • Rapterra Bioscape - Online or Offline

Rapterra Installation and Maintenance

Activation is included with every system.


With proper routine maintenance, the engineered media within the Rapterra system should last as long as traditional bioretention media installed in a similar configuration. 

Maintenance is low-cost, low-tech and simple:

  • Remove scour protection netting (will reuse)
  • Remove trash, debris, mulch, and sediment
  • Trim vegetation (if needed)
  • Replace mulch
  • Reset scour protection netting
  • No confined space entry required
A cross-section diagram shows stormwater flowing into a tree pit under a sidewalk, with arrows indicating water movement.
Rapterra Offline - Top Slab

The most economical and simplest Rapterra configuration. It uses a downstream catch basin or curb inlet for bypass flows, allowing the shallowest profile and the most flexible design of any Rapterra configuration. It is ideal for both new and retrofit projects.

Cross-section diagram of a tree pit system showing water flow paths under a sidewalk and into a filtration area.
Rapterra Online - Open Top or Top Slab

Provides internal bypass through a grated overflow, eliminating  the need for an additional structure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Filterra stormwater bioretention system, peak diversion configuration.
Rapterra Peak Diversion - Open Top or Top Slab

Provides treatment and high-flow bypass in one structure, eliminating the need for an external bypass structure, and includes an inlet bay for debris collection outside of the biofiltration chamber. This configuration also supports multiple inlet options, including curb, pipe, and grate inlets.

Filterra Bioscape vault basin stormwater bioretention system.
Rapterra Bioscape Vault Basin - Online or Offline

Allows for a vault-based system to be fully integrated into the landscape. Multiple inlet options are available via the side slopes, including sheet flow. Bypass is typically achieved via an upstream structure or with internal stand pipe.

Filterra Bioscape stormwater bioretention system.
Rapterra Bioscape - Online or Offline

Utilizes all of the Rapterra components, but without the concrete structure, allowing for multiple inlets and installation directly into a basin. Bypass is achieved via an upstream structure or with internal stand pipe.

Manufacturing America's Infrastructure™


Agency/Regulatory Guidance

Our team is ready to provide you with expert advice and assistance on local regulatory requirements, resulting in faster approvals.

 

Solution Development

Our engineers can review your requirements, weigh all options, and recommend the optimal solution to integrate with your site designs.

Technical Expertise

Our engineers can assist by providing product specific engineering calculations such as hydraulics, buoyancy, foundation reactions, and unit sizing.

Cost Estimates

We can quickly provide engineer’s cost
estimates to assist with your solution
selection process.

Site Specific Drawings

Our engineers can provide site-specific drawings for proposals, project meetings, and submittals, helping you be more efficient with your time.

On-site Assistance

Contractors know time is money, so we provide preconstruction meetings, delivery coordination, and on-site installation support to ensure a timely, smooth installation.