Reducing environmental impact of construction water

With continued emphasis on carbon reduction, most Australian construction businesses understand the importance of finding ways to work smarter and more sustainably. It’s also essential that contractors and subcontractors understand their legal obligations to reduce their environmental impact and ensure robust controls are in place to avoid regulatory action such as fines.

Here we explore the impact that construction waste, water, and noise pollution can have on the environment. It also gives you an opportunity to find out how to comply with relevant environmental regulations. This editorial provides tips to reduce your construction project’s environmental impact.

Managing stormwater and wastewater in construction

Water supports many different construction processes, from mixing concrete to dust suppression, and can also be found on sites following heavy rainfall and during dewatering for deep excavations. And wherever there is water, contamination can occur.

Contamination can affect the quality and safety of local waterways and seep into nearby soils and ecosystems. Even trace elements of some contaminants can be harmful, so great care should be taken to prevent water from coming into contact with these and other hazardous substances on site, such as sediment, paint, heavy metals and hydrocarbons.

Water removed during excavation should also be tested and, if necessary, treated before being returned to the site or local waterways.

Managing construction waste

Waste is a significant global issue and a challenge for many Australian industries. During 2021-22, the construction and demolition sector produced approximately one-third of the country’s total waste, while spending on waste services has increased by 35 per cent over the last five years.

There’s a clear need to reduce waste. The volume and vast nature of construction and demolition projects mean there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, waste management and reduction strategies should focus on:

Reducing the use of new materials
Re-using existing building materials
Recycling what can’t be used again
Safely and sustainably managing construction remaining waste.

Reducing noise pollution in construction

Noise pollution can’t be seen, but the impact of prolonged exposure can result in hearing problems and be felt socially through decreased productivity and concentration. Construction noise and vibration can also cause structural damage to nearby properties.

To reduce noise pollution on your next project, consider these questions:

Have sound-absorbing materials been incorporated into the design?
Can noise be reduced at the source with quieter, more efficient and better-maintained equipment?
Has adequate PPE been supplied to workers (think noise-cancelling earmuffs and ear plugs)?
Can construction schedules minimise people’s exposure to noise?
Can people be removed from the vicinity of prolonged or high-decibel noise?

Know your responsibilities

The responsibility for implementing and regulating environmental protection in Australia is shared by local, state and federal governments.

Commonwealth

The National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) is responsible for delivering on Australia’s obligations under international environmental protection agreements. It achieves this via National Environment Protection Measures² (NEPMs), designed to assist in protecting and managing particular aspects of the environment, like air and water quality, noise standards, hazardous waste, materials reuse and recycling, and site contamination.

States and territories

In each state and territory, an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serves a jurisdictional role in implementing the NEPMs. Each EPA also has legislative powers to minimise the risk of pollution and waste by investigating possible breaches and preparing guidelines to help businesses manage their environmental impact. They all differ in approach, so it’s your duty to understand and adhere to the regulations and guidelines issued by your local EPA.

Local government

Under the relevant state or territory Environmental Protection Act, decision-making powers are often delegated to local government in areas like water management, vegetation and weed control, waste management, plus air and noise quality. To understand and adhere to your local government responsibilities, refer to your local council website.

Top tips for minimising environmental impact in construction

Follow this practical advice to lessen your environmental impact and ensure your project is compliant:

Refer to your local EPA and local council to understand the regulations that apply to your project.

Regularly perform risk assessments in key areas (like noise, water and waste management) and design work practices to reduce these risks.
Prepare and implement a water management plan for water on or below your site. Engage a specialist like Coates to manage and treat contaminated water.
Prepare and implement a waste management plan to determine appropriate waste handling, storage, transportation and incident response procedures.
Complete specialist training for high-risk activities like removing asbestos and other hazardous construction materials with a registered training organisation (RTO) like Coates.
To prevent project delays, keep good records that demonstrate compliance.
Use zero- or low-emission equipment, such as solar and hybrid. Speak with a Coates Product Specialist to find the right Greener Choices equipment for your next job.
Employ techniques like modular construction to reduce construction waste and minimise noise and water pollution.
A little research goes a long way. Consult the many industry guides that share best practices on reduce the environmental impact of construction.