Trial of Dredging and Sediment Separation System Starts

Melbourne Water began this month a trial of a custom-designed, fully integrated sediment dredging, separation and dewatering system.

The three-month trial of this Dredging and Sediment Separation System (DSSS) is an innovative approach to minimizing the impact of our operational activities at a wetland, the surrounding parklands and nearby residents.

The results of the trial will enable Melbourne Water to assess the efficiency of the proposed new approach and to managing the cost of removing and disposing sediment.

There are ten trial sites, including:

• Dandenong Valley wetland, Scoresby;
• Golf Links Road wetland, Narre Warren;
• Caroline Springs wetland complex, Caroline Springs;
• Watervale wetlands complex, Taylors Hill;
• Evans Road retarding basin and wetland, Cranbourne West;
• Karkarook sediment pond, Heatherton;
• Troups Creek South, Hallam;
• Fairbairn Road wetland , Laverton North;
• Botanica Springs wetland complex, Brookfield;
• Marriott Waters sediment pond, Lynbrook.

Each of these wetlands was constructed more than five years ago and needs to be desilted to ensure it continues to treat and remove pollutants.

Melbourne Water works with local government to construct wetlands that provide large scale drainage services, mitigate floods and improve the quality of our waterways. These wetlands play an integral role in the health of our waterways and Port Philip Bay.

This DSSS trial is funded through the Waterways and Drainage Charge, and is being implemented in collaboration with Environment Protection Authority Victoria.

This trial is part of Melbourne Water’s ongoing commitment to ensure that we sustainably protect and manage community infrastructure, assets and amenity.

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