Australia's Water Pollution: Strategies And Solutions

Water pollution is a pressing global issue, and Australia, as the driest inhabited continent, must take measures to protect its water quality. Water pollution can have detrimental effects on the health of the environment and its people, and with 85% of Australians living within 100km of the marine environment, it is essential to manage water pollution effectively. The Australian government has implemented various strategies and guidelines to address this issue, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) and the National Health and Medical Research Council, which manages drinking water and recreational water guidelines.

Reducing sewage and industrial wastewater

Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent, faces challenges in managing water pollution, especially with less than 3% of Earth's total supply of freshwater. The country spends an estimated US$6 billion annually on water and wastewater treatment services, with approximately 85% of the population having access to over 700 community sewage treatment plants.

To address these issues, the Australian government has implemented various measures. The Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 (EPP) aims to enhance environmental protection by requiring local governments to develop and enforce sewage management plans. This ensures that health and environmental standards are met, and unnecessary discharges from sewage treatment plants are minimised. The EPP also mandates the monitoring and reporting of wastewater discharges and waterway quality.

Additionally, the Australian and New Zealand governments have jointly developed guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. These guidelines provide direction on managing water and sediment quality to sustain community values for natural and semi-natural water resources. Furthermore, within the Murray-Darling Basin and other areas, salinity management and monitoring are addressed through Land and Water Management Plans. These plans include setting salinity objectives, improving irrigation practices, and implementing salt interception schemes.

To further reduce sewage and industrial wastewater pollution, industries are adopting strategies such as water conservation, eliminating contaminants, and effectively treating wastewaters. SWA Water Australia, a leading industrial wastewater treatment company, provides innovative solutions to diverse industries worldwide. The company offers customised treatment plants, oil separators, and solid separators to manage wastewater effectively.

Managing salinity and acid sulfate soils

Australia has developed various strategies to manage salinity and acid sulfate soils, which are outlined below.

Salinity Management

Salinity is a pressing issue in the Murray-Darling Basin and other areas of Australia. To address this, the Australian government has implemented Land and Water Management Plans that include water quality monitoring and management. These plans provide a framework for setting salinity objectives and developing on-the-ground measures to improve salinity conditions. Such measures include providing adequate water flows, investing in revegetation, improving irrigation and dryland farming practices, and implementing salt interception schemes.

Acid Sulfate Soils Management

Acid sulfate soils are a significant environmental challenge in Australia, particularly in coastal areas of New South Wales and Western Australia. These soils form when naturally occurring bacteria convert sulfate to sulfide, which then reacts with metals to form metal sulfides. When exposed to air, these metal sulfides produce sulfuric acid, reducing pH and releasing heavy metals and toxicants, which can severely impact water and soil quality.

To manage acid sulfate soils, the Australian government, in collaboration with the National Committee for Acid Soils, has developed national guidelines. These guidelines aim to reduce or eliminate the risks posed by these soils to the environment and economy. Additionally, the Western Australian government focuses on managing the impacts on groundwater abstraction, urban drainage, and risks to waterways and estuaries.

The identification and management of acid sulfate soils require technical and practical knowledge. The National Water Commission's Sulfidic Sediments project provides tools and guidance on reducing the impact of sulfidic sediments on inland wetlands. Furthermore, the National Guidance for the Management of Acid Sulfate Soils in Inland Aquatic Ecosystems offers methods for identifying and managing inland acid sulfate soils.

Overall, managing salinity and acid sulfate soils in Australia involves implementing strategies to improve water quality, prevent environmental harm, and protect the country's valuable water resources.

Controlling stormwater runoff

Stormwater runoff is a major contributor to water pollution in Australia. It occurs when rainwater flows over hard, impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets, picking up pollutants and sediment along the way. These pollutants can include garden fertilizers, chemicals, and soil, which are then carried into creeks and rivers, causing siltation, eutrophication, and the death of aquatic plants and animals.

Rain Barrels and Cisterns

Installing a rain barrel or cistern at the end of a downspout can help capture stormwater runoff from roofs. The collected water can then be used for irrigation or other non-potable purposes. Rain barrels are inexpensive, simple to install, and can store 50 gallons of water on average, while larger cisterns can hold thousands of gallons.

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are landscaped depressions filled with permeable soil and planted with native vegetation. They are designed to catch and slow down stormwater runoff, allowing it to filter through the soil and recharge groundwater. Rain gardens can be built in various styles and sizes, with larger and deeper gardens treating more runoff. The natural soil in a rain garden is amended with sand, topsoil, and organic compost to improve its permeability.

Redirecting and Capturing Runoff

Redirecting or capturing runoff from roof downspouts and neighboring properties can help minimize erosion and reduce the accumulation of water in problem areas. This can be achieved by digging shallow trenches filled with gravel to catch and slow down the runoff, especially at the base of slopes or alongside driveways.

Covering Bare Soil

Covering bare soil with mulch or ground cover can help slow down stormwater runoff and reduce erosion. This is especially effective on steep slopes or areas with compacted, low-fertility soil.

Washing Cars on the Lawn

If you have a driveway that is not permeable, washing your car on the grass allows water to soak into the soil instead of running into the street. This simple practice can make a significant difference in reducing stormwater runoff.

Improving groundwater quality

Australia, being the world's driest inhabited continent, faces unique challenges in managing water pollution. Improving groundwater quality is a critical aspect of water management, and Australia has implemented various measures to achieve this.

Firstly, the Australian government has developed comprehensive guidelines for groundwater quality protection. These guidelines, updated in 2013, emphasize the importance of groundwater for human and ecosystem needs, economic growth, and population expansion. They provide a risk-based framework that can be integrated into existing policies and legislation to protect and enhance groundwater quality. This includes characterizing groundwater resources, setting quality objectives, and devising specific protection strategies.

Secondly, Australia has invested in scientific research to better understand groundwater ecosystems and their management. Publications by Hancock et al. (2005, 2009), Sundaram & Coram (2009), and Korbel & Hose (2011, 2017), among others, have contributed significantly to advancing the science of groundwater management. This knowledge is crucial for effective policy-making and decision-making in groundwater quality protection.

Moreover, the Australian government has taken steps to manage specific issues affecting groundwater quality. For instance, the National Committee for Acid Soils has developed guidelines to manage acid sulfate soils and prevent their release into water bodies, protecting sensitive ecosystems like the Ramsar wetlands in the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert.

Additionally, Australia has implemented Land and Water Management Plans in the Murray-Darling Basin and other areas to address salinity issues. These plans include measures such as ensuring adequate water flows, revegetation, improving irrigation practices, and implementing salt interception schemes, all of which contribute to improving groundwater quality.

Lastly, managing point source discharges is an important aspect of groundwater quality management. Licenses are issued to limit discharges to specific levels, taking into account the waterway's usage. These licenses are specific to the type, quantity, frequency, and place of discharge. Enforcement methods are in place to ensure compliance and prevent environmental harm, with prosecution as a last resort.

Preventing pollution from toxic chemicals

Conserving and maintaining water quality is of utmost importance in Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent. Less than three percent of Earth's total water supply is freshwater, and protecting it from pollution is essential to maintaining the health of the environment and our quality of life.

One of the significant sources of water pollution is the careless disposal of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can cause pollution even in small quantities and can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. To prevent pollution from toxic chemicals, Australia has implemented several measures:

Strengthening Chemical Laws and Frameworks

Australia is committed to strengthening chemical laws and putting sound chemical frameworks into Australian law to prevent pollution from toxic chemicals. This includes participating in international conventions and forums, such as the Stockholm Convention, which sets requirements for the environmentally sound disposal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). By taking part in these agreements, Australia ensures that chemicals are managed and disposed of properly to minimise their impact on the environment and human health.

Managing Industrial Discharges

Industries are significant sources of water pollution, as they discharge treated sewage and industrial wastewater. To address this, the Australian government, through the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, manages water quality by licensing discharges. These licences limit the discharges to specific levels and consider the waterway uses. Operators discharging without a licence are subject to prosecution. The government also works cooperatively with companies to ensure they operate in a way that does not cause environmental harm.

Controlling PFAS and Asbestos

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals found in everyday items, including food packaging. PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects, and Australia has been identified as one of the hotspots for these toxic "forever" chemicals. In response, the Australian government has started restricting PFAS use and plans to introduce new controls to ban or severely restrict specific PFAS types. Additionally, due to the past use of asbestos in building materials, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency works to improve asbestos awareness and ensure its safe management, removal, and disposal to minimise its impact on human health.

Community Education and Reporting

Educating the community about water pollution and toxic chemicals is essential. The Water Quality Australia website, created by the Australian Government, provides tools and resources to guide various stakeholders in developing and implementing water quality plans and strategies. Additionally, the National Pollutant Inventory informs the community, industry, and government about substance emissions in Australia. The community is encouraged to report any concerns or enquiries related to water pollution or environmental health to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or its equivalent in their jurisdiction.

Frequently asked questions