Quantifying water quality characteristics of stormwater: Assessment of untreated stormwater for the Adelaide Airport and Barker Inlet stormwater-aquifer storage and recovery recycled water schemes

This project characterised untreated stormwater quality for the Adelaide Airport and Barker Inlet stormwater-aquifer storage and recovery recycled water schemes. Stormwater quality was characterised in terms of physiochemical parameters, nutrients, metals and microbiological health parameters and results were compared to guideline values. Bioassays were also carried out to test for potential impacts on biota and any potential antagonistic or synergistic effects of potential chemicals. Results showed faecal indicator organisms were consistently present in the stormwater samples. Enteric protozoa Giardia and Cryptosporidium were also detected. Low levels of herbicides were detected in some samples. The generation of pathogen and chemical data is necessary to improve our understanding of stormwater quality, process design, the development of contingency plans and risk management, refinement of monitoring programs and to build confidence with regulatory authorities.