A liquid purification and separation apparatus for separation of pollutants in
stormwater runoff is disclosed. This apparatus utilizes gravitational separation
and tortuosity, resulting from a plurality of baffles both perpendicular to and
oblique to the primary water flow direction, to trap substances less-dense and
more-dense than water. The apparatus features improved resistance to pollutant
remobilization through treatment of water volume rather than flow rates, using
vertically stacked water columns of varying depths to settle small particles. An
overflow structure diverts excessive liquid without interfering with purification
and separation, and can be placed integrally within or external to the apparatus receptacle.