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We are pleased to have assisted our Client in obtaining a minor amendment to their Environmental Authority (Licence) to remove uncertainty.

Like many Licences, their former Licence contained a simple, innocuous clause in the Water section that said; "Other than as permitted within this environmental authority, contaminants that cause or are likely to cause environmental harm, must not be released to any waters." No other clauses provided release criteria. So the literal interpretation meant the site could not discharge any contaminants, at any level - effectively stormwater drainage had to be drinking quality! And that covered all events that could ever occur (even floods). That's a tall order for most industrial activities covered by Environmental Authorities, even with Best Practice stormwater treatment systems.

Negotiating discharge criteria is challenging too, since the Department of Environment and Science (DES) model conditions seek to implement Environmental Values (EVs) or ANZECC guidelines for receiving waters. These are often also at, or close to, the Limits of Detection (LOD) for many pollutants. In practical terms, this means zero contaminants in stormwater discharge. This is not reasonable nor practicable for most Licenced Activities. To put it in context, rainwater contains pollutants in concentrations that would exceed some EVs.

Does your Licence have this sleeper clause just waiting to catch you? Reach out for a quick chat and we can provide a pathway forward.

6pm - 8pm October 2022

Drapper Environmental Consultants & Insane Detailing Open Night

Join us as we celebrate the Opening of the Drapper Environmental Consultants hydraulics lab, and the Insane Detailing Imaginarium.

Feed your mind with displays from Drapper Environmental Consultants hydraulics lab, demonstrations of testing procedures, and discussions on environmental monitoring. And demonstrations from Insane's Detail magicians.

Feed your eyes with a display of ~20 rare and vintage cars, and find out how Insane Detail's Imaginarium achieves its awesome results.

Feed your body with Food trucks onsite.

When - 6pm to 8pm, 7^th October 2022.

Where - Unit 22 and Unit 15, 1472 Boundary Rd, Wacol.

Book your ticket via the Eventbrite link. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/drapper-environmental-consultants-insane-detailing-open-night-tickets-399424197527

For further details call Darren 0431 299 875.

June 2022

Update of Urban Stormwater Characterisation

After 20 years of gathering data on urban stormwater pollutants and concentrations, Drapper Environmental Consultants, together with researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (www.usc.edu.au), Melbourne Water (www.melbournewater.com.au) and Water Technology (www.watertech.com.au) collated over 2,500 data points to perform a review and identify any trends. The results of the Review have been published in Frontiers of Environmental Chemistry Journal (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2022.853764/full) In summary, recent concentrations in urban stormwater are roughly half that used to inform most planning policies and export modelling across Australia. Perhaps it is time to revisit the pollutant load reductions and/or better identify local targets/thresholds based on local monitoring programs.

April 2022

Welcome Mr Levente Nyakas

We are excited to announce that Mr Levente Nyakas has joined us in our journey to provide innovative environmental solutions for our clients. Lev brings with him extensive experience in environmental and flood monitoring systems after working with the QLD Government's DES Coastal Impacts Unit, and QTEQ/Prospect Group.

Farewell Blair Jedras

After two exciting years testing multiple stormwater treatment prototypes and developing his Trash Trawler, Blair's contract with us ended. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

January 2022

Farewell Emily Hancock

Following a busy and challenging year with a variety of new projects, Emily has completed her degree and been offered full-time employment with Ecosure Environmental that will better utilise her ecology skills and interest. We wish her all the best in her new role.

Welcome Mani Kaur Virk

After several months of work experience with us, we welcome Mani full-time as another environmental engineer on our team. Mani has a keen interest in remote area power supplies (RAPS) and solar systems, as well as experience in the meat processing and onsite wastewater treatment and disposal.

October 2021

Office Shutdown

Following a very busy start to the year, and the added pressures of COVID-19, we've made the decision to close the office and hydraulics lab from 23rd October 2021, re-opening on 1st November 2021, to give our staff a chance to refresh and re-focus. We take our commitment to our clients seriously and want to be sure you receive our best service. So we trust you will understand that this will benefit all of us. We will still have a technical team collecting samples for our SQIDEP customers. If there are any environmental emergencies, please contact the DES Pollution Hotline. Alternately we will still have access to emails, but may be slower than typical to respond.

January 2022

Farewell Emily Hancock

Welcome Mani Kaur Virk

April 2020

COVID-19 Response

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts much of our lives, we are closely monitoring the Commonwealth and State Government Health advices. We have introduced measures in line with those recommended by the various Health Authorities including;

limiting personnel in our office/warehouse;
encouraging staff to work at home wherever practicable;
provinding appropriate PPE for any onsite activities where contact with others might be necessary;

We would like to reassure our valued clients that we are still operating and providing the same passionate service that we always have, to keep your business and projects moving forward in these uncertain times.

We will continue to monitor the changing requirements and provide further updates as Government adivce changes. If you have any concerns please contact us via the online form or via our info@drapperconsultants.com email address.

March 2020

Change of Address

After outgrowing our prevous workspace, we have taken the leap and moved into new premises at U15, 1472 Boundary Rd, Wacol, QLD.

We plan to use this space to expand our capacity to provide prototype testing and assembly of our onsite environmental monitoring equipment.

Feel free to drop by (once COVID-19 restrictions are eased).

June 2019

Introducing Mr Blair Jedras & the Trash Trawler

We have a new employee, Blair Jedras, who brings his experience from the drainage and diving industries, as well as being Founder of Clean Oceans Australia. We are working on a new perspective for capturing litter at the source. Check it out here https://youtu.be/cVgdLjcVqaQ and let us know what you think.

January 2018

Ready for the Commonwealth Games

We've just commissioned another stormwater monitoring site, this time on the Gold Coast. Working with Griffith University for this project, we'll be evaluating the performance of another stormwater treatment technology. It will be interesting to see how this remarkable piece of technology performs in this new location.

April 2017

Dirty Little Secrets - Launch of WATSOL Sewer Comb Animation

It's not the topic of your average dinner party, but we have just launched the new animation explaining the operation of the WATSOL Sewer Comb for managing solids in emergency sewer overflows. Check it out at https://youtu.be/KdGKQixLWnQ and let us know what you think.

January 2017

We are taking stormwater mobile!

This trailer-mounted stormwater monitoring unit has been delivered by Drapper Environmental Consultants for the University of the Sunshine Coast's Stormwater Research Group. This will allow researchers from USC to locate a fully automated, flow-weighted, remote access monitoring installation wherever they want. The setup allows sample collection to characterise stormwater from various catchments or evaluate stormwater treatment measure performance according to the draft Stormwater Australia SQID Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP). Equipped with its own solar power supply, a tipping bucket rain gauge, ultrasonic flow meters, auto-samplers, datalogger and wifi modem, this setup allows high accuracy sample collection during storms, that can be monitored in real-time from anywhere in the world (that has access to wifi service).

Keep an eye out for it on the streets of the Sunshine Coast. How can we help you with your environmental monitoring requirements?

Mobile Stormwater Quality Testing Station

July 2016

Stormwater Queensland recognises Excellence in Research & Innovation

At the recent Awards Ceremony, Stormwater Queensland recognised the contribution made by Drapper Environmental Consultants in collaboration with SPEL Environmental, University of the Sunshine Coast, QUT and Griffith University to Excellence in Research and Innovation. This project has taken the foresight and commitment of our client, SPEL Environmental, to initiate, and the "on the ground" contribuion of staff and students from USC, QUT and GU to reach this point. Principal Engineer, Dr Darren Drapper notes that this award would not have been possible without the efforts of the key personnel below;

    Andy Hornbuckle & Cameron Hales (SPEL Environmental)
    Professor Ashantha Goonetilleke and Dr Prasanna Egodawatta (QUT)
    Assoc. Prof. Terry Lucke, Dr Peter Nichols, Kristin Reeves, Shelbi Paterson & Renee Melis (USC)
    Professor Rodger Tomlinson, Sally Obst, Dan Ware & Lorry Hughes (GU)
    Grant Millar & Troy Mansinger

An ambitious project, spanning 9 monitoring sites from the central Gold Coast to the northern Sunshine Coast covering systems including underground filters, pit baskets, floating wetlands, packaged biofilters and hydrodynamic separators, it is setting the benchmark based on the draft Stormwater Australia SQID Evaluation Protocol. It is also providing a valuable road test of the draft protocol.

Outcomes from this research provides clarity for specifying consultants, and information for the development assessment process. It is also refining our understanding of the design process for floating wetlands in Australian conditions.

Well done to all involved!

February 2016

WATSOL Sewer Combs installed in Mackay Regional Council were put through their paces in recent wet weather and have been hailed a success. No messy clean-up, easy inspection and maintenance. How can the WATSOL Sewer Comb help with your sewer overflows?

October 2014

Principal Engineer, Dr Darren Drapper was recognised in the Stormwater Australia President's XI, Stormwater Industry Upstarts Team at the recent Stormwater 2014 National Conference for his contribution to the Stormwater Industry.

Darren was also personally awarded an Honorary "Stormie" Award by Stormwater Australia President Andrew Allan for his contribution to the National Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP).

June 2013

Drapper Environmental Consultants were engaged to provide the permanent dewatering system design for the new Gold Coast Aquatic Centre pool for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Drapper Environmental Consultants Latest News

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