Project Summary
A stormwater upgrade in Queensland required improved management of wet weather overflows and better water quality prior to discharge into downstream wetlands. By replacing traditional screening infrastructure, including a Gross Pollutant Trap with self-cleaning debris exclusion screens, the project team achieved significant capital savings, reduced operational costs, and enhanced environmental outcomes.
Early technical collaboration enabled the adoption of a streamlined, low-maintenance screening solution that provided continuous debris removal, reduced manual cleaning, and improved the quality of flows entering the wetland treatment system.
The installation delivered capital savings as well as annual operational savings, while supporting long-term environmental protection and system resilience.
Project Objectives
The upgrade aimed to reduce wet weather flooding, improve stormwater flows, and enhance the ecological health of receiving waters. Effective screening at the creek intake was essential to managing high debris loads, preventing blockages, and ensuring efficient transfer to downstream pump station and pipeline infrastructure.
Challenges
Storm events routinely mobilised large volumes of organic material and debris, creating risks of blockages, reduced hydraulic capacity, and increased maintenance. The intake structure also needed to comply with fish protection requirements, necessitating a fine-screening, low-velocity solution that balanced hydraulic efficiency with ecological performance.
The AWMA Screening Solution
Initial designs included coarse screens and a Gross Pollutant Trap.
Through early engagement, the screen team determined that self-cleaning intake screens could replace both elements, providing equivalent or superior debris exclusion without the associated civil works or maintenance costs.
The installed system comprised:
-
Two electric-driven, self-cleaning cylinder screens
-
46 ML/day design flow per screen
-
2 mm stainless steel wedge wire filtration
-
Wall-mounted arrangement with isolation plates
-
Integrated lifting points for safe retrieval and inspection
These screens operate reliably during variable flow conditions, automatically removing accumulations and maintaining hydraulic capacity without manual intervention.
Outcomes & ROI
The self-cleaning screening system:
-
Eliminated the need for a Gross Pollutant Trap
-
Reduced blockages and improved system reliability
-
Enhanced water quality entering downstream wetlands
-
Supported fish protection and environmental compliance
-
Delivered 3-5yrs return on investment
Long-term operational savings will continue to accrue through reduced maintenance, fewer site visits, and improved performance during peak storm events.
Project Data
-
Location: Queensland
-
Water Source: Creek used for stormwater management
-
Design Flow: 46 ML/day per screen
-
Screen Aperture: 2 mm
-
Screen Type: Self-cleaning cylinder screens (2 units)
-
Material: 316 stainless steel wedge wire
-
Mounting: Wall-mounted with isolation plates
-
Retrieval System: Integrated lifting points
-
Operational Savings: annually
-
Capital Savings: initially
-
ROI: 3-5yrs
