The City of Melville in Western Australia has installed advanced devices to assist in removing pollutants from stormwater before it enters the Swan and Canning rivers. Four gross pollutant traps (GPTs) have been installed on The Esplanade in Mount Pleasant, as part of Esplanade Upgrade Works being undertaken by Melville.
The GPTs filter stormwater to remove gross pollutants like leaves and grass clippings, which can increase the nutrient level causing algae blooms in the rivers. They also filter plastic bottles, bags and hydrocarbons, which can be extremely detrimental to marine life.
As part of the installation procedure, the GPTs will be regularly monitored and cleaned to ensure nutrient levels entering the river are kept to a minimum. The local community is also invited to help by being mindful of materials they allow to enter the stormwater system.
Previously there were no roadside curbs on the riverside of The Esplanade, which meant that after it rained, road runoff would wash directly into the river. As part of The Esplanade Upgrade Works, the road pavement is being reshaped to allow for stormwater pits and pipes so that the GPT devices could be installed and pollutants can be captured before water enters the river stream.
“We expect that the GPTs will bring direct improvements to the health of the Swan and Canning rivers,” Melville Mayor, Councillor Katherine Jackson said. “This is a brilliant breakthrough towards creating a cleaner ecosystem in Melville.
“It is vital that we find new ways of protecting environmentally sensitive river foreshore areas so that they can be kept as pristine as possible for the enjoyment of future generations. These GPTs are a significant progression towards enhancing the health of the rivers.
“It is particularly important that we do whatever we can to keep the Swan River safe and attractive because it is such an important asset to Perth.”
For further information contact Jenelle McCarthy, City of Melville Communications Services, on (08) 9364 0245.
