An insert for use in a sewer system to remove oils and solvents carried by surface
water runoff. The insert includes a holder and a quantity of water permeable, hydrophobic,
oil and solvent absorbing material such as melt blown polypropylene. The holder
has two functions. It holds an effective quantity of the absorber and holds it
in such a way that the surface water is exposed to the absorber to allow oils and
solvents to be absorbed. The insert in preferably placed, cartridge-like, at the
inlet or outlet of the sewer system so that it may be quickly checked, replaced
and serviced. In one embodiment, the insert also contains a leaf trap.
