Humans have been impacting the natural habitats and environments of our precious wildlife for centuries, but now it’s time to find ways to lessen our negative impacts and adopt eco-friendly solutions to protect them. As we continue to innovate and develop new technologies, we are continually finding new ways to protect the environment. 

Gross Pollutant Traps–or GPTs–are one of the leading inventions designed to help protect our waterways, marine life and any other wildlife that relies on the water to survive. In this article, we will explore the ways that GPTs are promoting healthier environments and how to maintain them to make them more effective.

What Are Gross Pollutant Traps

Gross Pollutant Traps are a key part of the stormwater treatment process. Installed in development and redevelopment areas, GPTs are designed to catch pollutants such as rubbish, grit, sediment, oils and other debris present in water and keep them out of the environment.

At Everhard Industries, we offer three different types of Gross Pollutant Traps, including:

  • Storm Catch GPT: This direct screening system is available in a range of sizes to suit any environment. Comprised of a durable galvanised steel grate, Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) and stormwater pit, this GPT captures all pollutants larger than 2mm and is ideal for flood-prone areas.
  • V Guard: These one-size GPTs are lightweight and easy to install, offering a simple solution for any urban or industrial area. The V Guard offers a triple-action filtering process with a SQID and positive baffled separation sump fitted with a tray to remove silt and sediment effectively.
  • Nipper: This cost-effective, non-blocking system is ideal for removing pollutants in local stormwater infrastructure at the end of the line before the pipes connect to local council stormwater mains or creeks and rivers. They also include a fixed weir, self-cleaning screens and treat sites up to 1 hectare.

Legal Requirements for Gross Pollutant Traps

Gross Pollutant Traps are often a requirement under the Environment Protection Act 1993. This Act aims to protect Australia’s precious waterways and wildlife from human pollution. As such, local councils and businesses will generally be required to install GPTs on their stormwater drainage systems and maintain them appropriately.

When considering installing a GPT on your property, it is important to contact your local council to confirm any regulations in your area regarding what type you can have and maintenance requirements.

How Do Gross Pollutant Traps Protect the Environment

It’s not hard to see the negative impact we are having on natural environments when walking through parks or driving down the highway. Just about anywhere you go, you will encounter rubbish and litter that has just been dumped or thrown out the car window. Furthermore, as we continue to develop the land and complete industrial work we contribute to erosion and wash oils and chemicals down the drain or into the earth.

Fortunately, though, now we have developed ways to minimise this impact and protect our natural environments and wildlife. Gross Pollutant Traps do this by capturing any large rubbish and screening out smaller debris and oils into a Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID). This device can then be emptied and pollutants can be disposed of responsibly, keeping our environment free of litter and hazardous contamination.

How To Maintain Gross Pollutant Traps

Incorporating these devices into stormwater treatment processes is essential, as is regular maintenance. With the amount of pollutants already present in our environment and with it increasing each day, it’s important to keep these devices well-maintained and functioning highly.

Until we reach a point where, as a society, we eradicate pollution entirely, we need to do everything we can to manage the messes we make and the impacts we have on the environment.

Regular Inspections

The first step in maintaining Gross Pollutant Traps is monitoring and inspecting them. While these devices are designed to work continuously without any intervention, issues can occur. For example, SQIDs can become full and cause an overflow or components can break or corrode.

Individuals, environment groups, businesses and councils should complete regular inspections of any GPTs around their area to check for any issues. This ensures that any blockages, damage or overflows are caught early and appropriate action can be taken to keep these devices functioning highly.

Cleaning Procedures

Secondly, these devices need to be cleaned out regularly. The actual frequency of cleaning required will depend on the size of the GPT, the pollution present in the area and local weather conditions. Regular inspections should give an idea of how frequently to clean out the GPT in question.

Cleaning GPTs is a multi-step process. Firstly, any rubbish caught in the grates should be disposed of appropriately. The grate can then be removed to allow access to the SQID, stormwater pit or containment sump depending on the model. 

Captured debris can be removed, either by hand, by tipping out the basket or by pumping out the sump with a suction hose. Pollutants can then be taken to the appropriate waste facilities for responsible disposal. Baskets and filters should also be hosed out to remove any smaller particles.

Once the GPT is free of dirt and pollution and is reassembled correctly, it is ready to continue doing its job to protect the environment. We recommend that cleaning is completed on dry days when minimal water is going to be moving through the system.

Repairs & Replacement

Finally, if the Gross Pollutant Trap is corroded, blocked or damaged in any way, it will require professional repairs or replacement. The level of damage or issues will determine what work is required.

Professional plumbers or drainage experts will be able to inspect the GPT to diagnose any issues and recommend repairs or replacements as necessary to restore the system. 

Maintain Gross Pollutant Traps to Protect Our Environments

Maintaining our beautiful environment and wildlife should be at the top of our priority list. We should be aiming to live in harmony with our natural environment without compromising the quality of it and putting our wildlife in danger.

Installing and maintaining high-quality Gross Pollutant Traps are simple things we can do to do our part to keep hazardous pollutants out of our waterways and create healthier habitats. Explore our range of Everhard Gross Pollutant Traps, spec sheets, installation guides and more to better understand these innovative and powerful devices.