Identifying and addressing challenges in gross pollutant trap maintenance: perspectives from the Australian stormwater industry

A common approach to removing pollution from stormwater is through the installation of gross pollutant traps (GPTs). However, GPTs are often not maintained effectively, leading to pollution accumulation and additional pollution bypassing into natural environments. To explore why GPTs are not always maintained, we surveyed representatives from the Australian stormwater industry (n = 94) using convenience non-probability sampling. Collectively, the largest barriers preventing GPT maintenance from respondent perspectives included a lack of resources, a lack of consequences for not maintaining GPTs, and the low priority of GPT maintenance. Addressing these barriers, plus introducing nationwide standards, were the top ranked improvement strategies. Furthermore, most respondents agree with the existing structure for stormwater governance. However, they suggest governance improvements, such as the usefulness of a stormwater levy and aligning stormwater governance. Industry-wide efforts to address current challenges will likely lead to improved maintenance of GPTs, ultimately resulting in less untreated stormwater entering natural environments.