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Council Sets Trap For Pollutants

Council Officers install a Gross Pollutant Trap at Cape Woolamai.

Council Officers install a Gross Pollutant Trap at Cape Woolamai.

Cape Woolamai beach goers will soon be swimming in a cleaner ocean.

By Bass Coast Shire - 7th December 2005 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has installed a Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) as part of the drainage and road works scheme currently underway.

The GPT collects pollutants from stormwater drains before they run into the ocean.

However, GPTs may not necessarily be the way of the future for all coastlines, says Council’s Environmental Projects Officer, Clare Lamers.

"Gross Pollutant Traps do a great job collecting pollutants, but they do not prevent pollution and come at a significant cost ($100,000 to $150,000 to install each unit).

"Council’s emphasis over the coming years will be on prevention rather than cure.

"We will be focusing on educating industry, business and the community, as well as looking at providing more sustainable infrastructure such as grass swales, wetland areas, filter strips and porous pavement.

"As people are educated the need for things like Gross Pollutant Traps will be lessened," explained Ms Lamers.

Council has launched a series of stormwater management initiatives this year including the high profile Urban Stormwater Best Management Practice Guidelines.

The guidelines have been produced to provide specific advice for building sites, industrial premises and commercial premises and are available from all Council offices.

Council has also run a number of education campaigns for schools and the general community including the ‘Clean Drains, Healthy Beaches’ drain stencilling initative.

Some of the ways you can help to keep our stormwater and waterways clean include:

ü Making sure waste is secure and not overflowing when you put it out for kerbside collection.

ü Sweeping external paved areas, not hosing them into stormwater drains.

ü Always picking up your dog’s business. Have a bag handy so you don’t get caught out.

ü Washing vehicles on the lawn to absorb the soapy water.

ü If you’re a smoker, placing cigarette butts in a bin or carrying a personal ashtray. Cigarette butts account for over half of all litter dropped on our streets and found in our waterways.

ü Never pouring unwanted chemicals into gutters or drains. Watch for chemical collection days in local press and Council literature.

ü Using sediment fencing on building sites to prevent coarse sediment washing into stormwater drains.

ü Sweeping grass clippings and leaves into your compost or using as mulch on the garden. This will prevent blockage of stormwater drains, flooding and damage to aquatic environments.

For further information on any of Council’s stormwater initiatives phone (03) 5952 3311 or (03) 5671 2211.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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