Title: Locating stormwater pollution hotspots in industrial catchments
Abstract: Stormwater is a major source of pollution to urban waterways. In industrial catchments particularly, good stormwater management is critical to prevent pollution entering waterways. To identify priority areas for the management of stormwater pollution, the City of Whittlesea commissioned the Victorian Centre for Aquatic Pollution Investigation and Management (CAPIM) to survey pollutant loads in stormwater from industrial and residential catchments. Preliminary surveys of sediment quality in streams draining industrial areas found concentrations of hydrocarbons and heavy metals well above guideline levels. Subsequent passive sampling surveys of the subterranean stormwater drainage network found widespread contamination by heavy metals and hydrocarbons, and established a clear correlation between industrial land use and high pollutant loads in stormwater. Contaminated drains were generally located immediately upstream of the sediment pollution hot-spots identified in the stream sediment survey, and these hotspots corresponded with a decline in stream condition as measured by macroinvertebrate surveys. When businesses in the heavily polluting subcatchments were subsequently investigated by EPA Victoria, almost 25% required some enforcement action. We conclude sediment surveys together with targeted passive sampling form an effective method for locating pollution sources in industrial catchments.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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