Greg Kent – Founder Bio Clean
Like many great start-up companies, Bio Clean began in a California garage. Greg & Janet Kent began their careers in the construction industry and in 1999 they had a Bio Augmentation business with a string of small contracts serving military facilities in San Diego county. As savvy entrepreneurs seem to do, they saw the potential of a growing need for something new! Reliable stormwater solutions. Through years of hard work, innovation and hustle, they’ve grown the business into an industry power house with a portfolio of over a dozen products and proudly employing over 45 people.
In 2000, during Bio Clean’s quest to find products that could successfully meet California’s treatment standards and compliment their services; SunTree emerged as a reliable provider of durable basin inserts, screen and full capture devices. Bio Clean immediately became the West Coast supplier for products like the Grate Inlet Filter, Curb Inlet Filter and the future NSBB Dual Stage Hydrodynamic Separator.
An energetic advisory and solutions campaign paid off in 2001, when Santa Barbara County awarded Bio Clean with its first big installation contract of 50 filters. The same educational campaigns continue to this day and Bio Clean now serves more California municipalities than any other stormwater company.
Bio Clean emerged as the top company providing stormwater solutions in Hawaii after 18 months of testing and trials of 3 other companies by the University of Hawaii. Bio Clean continues to lead the market in Hawaii and is currently represented by Geotech Solutions, Inc. based in Kapolei on Oahu.
Starting with Modular Wetlands’ industry changing, MWS Linear, Bio Clean embarked on a radical streak of developing their own innovative and effective stormwater technologies. The efforts have really made a difference for the environment and company. The latest product to be unveiled was the Kraken Filter.
Since 1973 the EPA has accelerated its enforcement of the Clean Water Act. When Bio Clean and Modular Wetlands launched the MWS Linear and placed it in the heart of Oceanside Harbor, the country and state of California finally had a system that could address more stringent regulations and would continue to operate effectively with lower maintenance costs. The MWS Linear would eventually enter TAPE testing in 2011, and receive General Use Level Designation TAPE approved in 2013.
In 2002, Bio Clean, with the help of The Small Business Association (SBA) San Diego, received a loan and the ability to expand. After years of growth and success, the SBA recognized Bio Clean and in 2008 they were awarded the “Small Business of the Year” for all of San Diego and Imperial counties.
The Washington State Department of Ecology Technology Assessment Protocol, known as TAPE, is the stormwater industry’s most stringent and all-encompassing testing protocol worldwide. The MWS Linear system was installed and tested in Portland, Oregon in order to conduct field monitoring with the intent of applying for a GULD for basic (suspended solids), phosphorus, oil, and enhanced (dissolved metals) treatment.