An innovative new trial is helping to improve water quality in the Peel-Harvey estuary catchment by reducing the nutrients that fuel algal growth.
Scientists from Healthy Estuaries WA have applied a specially manufactured clay-based treatment to a drain in the catchment of the Peel-Harvey estuary (Bindjareb Djilba). The clay successfully bound up to 95 per cent of phosphorus at the treatment site, preventing it from fuelling algal growth in the downstream waterways.
Many of our waterways, like the Serpentine River (Waangaamaap Bilya), can receive excess phosphorus from fertiliser use in their catchment, potentially causing algal growth that can lead to fish kills and adverse human health impacts.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has been working on a novel clay known as Hydrotalcite clay, or HT clay. It is made from a natural bentonite clay modified with hydrotalcite, a phosphorus-binding mineral. The manufacturing process involves mixing several raw ingredients, causing chemical reactions where the clay becomes coated in the phosphorus-binding material.
The application of the clay to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the waterways complements ongoing work through Healthy Estuaries WA in the catchment. This work with farmers reduces the amount of fertiliser applied to farms, preventing the loss of further nutrients to the waterways.
The State Government’s Bindjareb Djilba Protection Plan and Healthy Estuaries WA program funded the clay production and distribution.
Healthy Estuaries WA is a $25 million State Government commitment that focuses on improving the health of Peel-Harvey Estuary, Leschenault Estuary, Vasse-Geographe waterways, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet, Torbay Inlet and Oyster Harbour.
The Healthy Estuaries WA program uses the latest science to monitor and manage our precious waterways alongside successful collaborative projects involving the community, scientists, farmers, government and industry. For further updates on important Healthy Estuaries work underway, visit: facebook.com/healthyestuarieswa
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
“The phosphorus binding clay is a Western Australian invention and demonstrates the innovative new approaches our State Government is taking to look after the health of our precious waterways.
“The groundbreaking research in the Peel-Harvey estuary complements the important work Healthy Estuaries WA is doing to reduce the amount of fertiliser applied to farms.
“While much work is happening in the catchment to reduce nutrient inputs for the future, this shows promising signs of addressing the high levels of nutrients that are polluting some of our waterways right now.”
Comments attributed to Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
“We know the Peel-Harvey estuary (Bindjareb Djilba) is the heart of our community in Mandurah, and we need to address water quality issues so that our waterways can continue to be the lifeblood of our community for generations to come.
“This trial demonstrates that there are many tools available to us to improve water quality, and we need to use them all to achieve significant nutrient reductions for the Peel-Harvey estuary.”
Comments attributed to Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday:
“Our precious waterways are so crucial for the region, and that’s why we must do everything we can to safeguard and keep them healthy.
“It’s fantastic to see the team at Healthy Estuaries WA putting innovation into action and achieving promising results.”
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