Storm drain grate and filter apparatus and method

An apparatus comprising:

• a structure capable of receiving a flow of waste and capturing solids from the flow, by directing the flow as runoff through a filter bag capable of filtering out solids swept along with the runoff;
• the filter bag, wherein the solids comprise sediment more dense than the runoff and debris less dense than the runoff;
• the filter bag formed to have an upper portion and lower portion, the lower portion formed of a filter medium capable of collecting the sediment while passing water therethrough, and the upper portion comprising a magnet disposed adjacent a rim of the filter bag and a backflow preventer formed of a flexible material extending radially inward from the filter bag and capable of directing the debris back into an interior of the bag below the backflow preventer while passing the runoff out of the filter bag through a sphincter bounding an interior edge of the backflow preventer.

An apparatus comprising:

• a structure capable of receiving a flow of waste and capturing solids from the flow, by directing the flow as runoff through a filter bag capable of filtering out solids swept along with the runoff;
• the filter bag, wherein the solids comprise sediment more dense than the runoff and debris less dense than the runoff;
• the filter bag formed to have an upper portion and lower portion, the lower portion formed of a filter medium capable of collecting the sediment while passing water therethrough, and the upper portion comprising a magnet disposed adjacent a rim of the filter bag and a backflow preventer formed of a flexible material extending radially inward from the filter bag and capable of directing the debris back into an interior of the bag below the backflow preventer while passing the runoff out of the filter bag through a sphincter bounding an interior edge of the backflow preventer, wherein the backflow preventer operates as a net, a flexible lattice defining spaces between strands capable of changing vertical and horizontal dimensions of the spaces in response to forces of the runoff.