Abstract
Field testing of a proprietary stormwater treatment device (GPT) was undertaken over a one year period at a commercial site located in Sippy Downs, Queensland. The focus of the study was primarily on evaluating the effectiveness of the GPT device in removing pollution in the form of nutrients (Total Suspended Solids, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) from stormwater runoff. Water quality analysis was performed on water samples taken from the inflow and outflow of the GPT during 15 natural rainfall events. A new testing protocol was developed to ensure a comprehensive investigation of the stormwater treatment performance of the GPT. Pollution treatment Efficiency Ratios (ER) calculated for the GPT were found to be 49.2% for TSS, 26.6% for TN and 40.6% for TP. Although the nutrient removal rates of the GPT observed in the study were below those specified by Queensland regulations, the results are considered notable for a stormwater treatment device that was not specifically designed to remove nutrients from stormwater.
Highlights
The increase in impervious surface area associated with urban development has resulted in greater stormwater runoff volumes and increased pollution loads for downstream receiving waters [1,2,3].The management of stormwater in urban areas has become a priority issue for the planning, construction and maintenance of urban developments [4].A wide range of stormwater treatment devices have been implemented in urban areas over the last few decades to manage stormwater and to reduce peak flows and downstream pollution loads [5,6]
Evaluation of proprietary stormwater treatment devices has been performed for decades internationally, and this appears to be gaining momentum in Australia
This paper has detailed the evaluation and testing protocol implemented of the Humegard®
Summary
A wide range of stormwater treatment devices (including swales, bioretention systems and constructed wetlands) have been implemented in urban areas over the last few decades to manage stormwater and to reduce peak flows and downstream pollution loads [5,6]. Compared to some more conventional stormwater treatment approaches, which can often be quite complex, proprietary treatment devices are designed for easy installation and maintenance. These devices are becoming ever-more popular in Australia, as well as throughout the rest of the world [7,8]. Because proprietary stormwater treatment devices are generally constructed by different companies, only a few independent studies have reviewed their performance [9,10]
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