The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) makes up approximately 10% of the world’s coral reef habitat and provides vital ecosystems for over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and endangered animals including turtle and whale species.1
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the GBR it is the world’s most extensive reef system, covering an area of 348,000 square kilometres. Protecting this natural wonder is essential to marine biodiversity, ecology and tourism.
Sustainably managing these coastal environments is the goal of the Reefwise Urban Program, a suite of interventions proposed to facilitate the improvement of water quality and treatment of stormwater flows in priority reef catchment areas.
With over 30 million dollars of federally supported funding, the program seeks to reduce water pollution from stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge.
Seeking to effectively model and predict the impacts of stormwater on water quality in reef catchments, the program will help develop large scale MUSIC models (Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation).
These models will help local councils to track pollutants, manage the effects of runoff on water quality, compare treatment options to reduce pollution, and improve Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) practices.2
Why is Stormwater Treatment Imperative to a Healthy Reef?
Key outcomes set out in the Reef 2050 Plan include improved conditions for coral, seagrass and wetlands environments to support biodiversity and increase culture of stewardship.
The Reefwise Urban Program joins existing programs that form part of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, which sets ambitions targets for reductions in five main pollutants – fine sediment, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, particulate nitrogen, particulate phosphorus and pesticides.
High levels of sediment and nutrients in reef environments increase algal blooms, smothers coral, and carries contaminants into coastal areas. These result in the impediment of coral growth, reproduction, and the disruption of important ecological functions, which can cause disease and even death of sensitive species.3
Improving water quality in catchments flowing into the Great Barrier Reef requires a firm commitment to the development of stormwater infrastructure.
The Reefwise Urban Program assists the scale and scope of stormwater treatment across GBR localities. Supported by sustainable engineering and the use of MUSIC modelling, this will help better manage stormwater runoff to improve the health of reef and riparian habitats.
Atlan’s range of SQIDEP-verified stormwater devices have been engineered and independently tested – with high removal efficiencies for removing target pollutants on the GBR such as Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP), and sediment.
Atlan Stormwater is committed to providing best-practice solutions to support sustainable outcomes across the Great Barrier Reef to preserve this iconic landmark for future generations.
References: 1. Animals Found on the Great Barrier Reef: https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/learn/animals/animals-on-the-reef. 2. Funding to enhance urban stormwater management in Reef catchments: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/funding-enhance-urban-stormwater-management-reef-catchments. 3. How Does Pollution Threaten Coral Reefs: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral-pollution.html
