Opportunities to better manage industrial estates
There is growing evidence that industrial use areas contribute more pollutants to Melbourne’s rivers, wetlands and bay than other land uses (Pettigrove, 2018). Numerous sources of pollutants arise from industrial areas via direct runoff into stormwater drains, poor onsite practices, accidental spills, illegal dumping, illegal sewerage connections to stormwater drains and broken infrastructure. Common industrial pollutants include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, oil and grease, faecal matter, solvents, detergents and pesticides. It is important to better understand the major pathways of industrial pollutants into waterways to enable the identification of efficient and effective ways of managing this pollution and preventing ecological and social impacts on local environments.
This project aims to identify effective and affordable opportunities for addressing pollutants from industrial catchments. Specifically, to:
A background literature review on industrial pollutants, their typical sources, and potential management actions is now complete. Laboratory trails of potential structural treatment solutions are underway, with field trials scheduled to start late 2020.
RMIT A3P: Claudette Kellar, Ana Miranda, Kathryn Hassell, Vincent Pettigrove, Monica Tewman
MW: Rhys Coleman, Trish Grant, Alison Rickard, Heath Baker, Birgit Jordan, Michael Godfrey, Slobodanka Stojkovic
Expected Completion: End 2023
Contact: claudette.kellar@rmit.edu.au or 99254682 or kathryn.hassell@rmit.edu.au on 99254647
Reference: Pettigrove, V. (2018) Pollution Issues in the Melbourne Water Region and Options for their Management. Technical Report No. 88. Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.