Waterway Protection Technology Case Studies

Proven Capture of PFAS & Toxic Metals | University of Technology Sydney (2024)

Protecting South Australia’s Waterways – Before Damage Occurs

South Australia’s waterways and coastlines are under increasing pressure from stormwater pollution, legacy industrial contamination, nutrient loads and emerging PFAS risks. These pressures are now directly linked to harmful algal blooms (HABs), ecosystem stress, fisheries impacts and public health concerns.

SA Water Innovation (SAWI) exists to change this.

Rather than waiting for contamination to reach beaches, reefs and estuaries, SAWI delivers prevention-first, interception-based solutions that remove pollutants before they enter sensitive environments.

Central to this approach is SAWI’s deployment of the Gyroid polymeric interception system, developed by SORR Innovations.

This technology is now independently validated.

Independent University Validation

In 2024, an honours research project at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) independently investigated the remediation potential of the Gyroid polymeric material for:

• PFAS (including PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS)
• Toxic metals (26 metals tested)
• across freshwater, seawater and mixed contaminant environments
• with additional testing of real field-deployed material
   

The research was initiated after the material unexpectedly demonstrated PFAS adsorption during real-world deployment at Tuggerah Lake (NSW).

This study provides independent, scientific confirmation of what SAWI is now deploying in South Australia.

What Was Tested

The UTS study evaluated:

Materials

• Low density Gyroid sponge
• High density sponge
• Treated and untreated variants
• Field-used sponge recovered from Tuggerah Lake deployment
   

Water Environments

• Freshwater
• Artificial seawater (coastal analogue)
• Freshwater with oil contamination
• Seawater with oil contamination
   

These conditions directly mirror SAWI’s operating environments:
stormwater outlets, near-shore marine zones, industrial discharge points and mixed urban runoff.

Key Findings

Proven PFAS Capture

All three PFAS compounds tested were effectively adsorbed by the Gyroid material:

• PFHxS
• PFOA
• PFOS

This is significant, as PFAS are widely recognised as “forever chemicals” and are poorly removed by conventional treatment systems.

Strong Toxic Metal Removal

The majority of 26 toxic metals tested were successfully captured, with particularly strong performance observed for:

• Copper
• Mercury
• Arsenic

These metals are directly relevant to urban runoff, industrial zones, port precincts and stormwater pathways feeding Gulf St Vincent.

Optimal Performance Without Modification

The study found that the low density, untreated material performed best.

This is operationally critical for SAWI:

• no chemical modification required
• no additional processing cost
• scalable manufacturing
• rapid deployment capability
  

In other words: the most effective version is also the most practical.

True Multi-Contaminant Capability

The research confirmed that the Gyroid material can adsorb multiple contaminant classes simultaneously.

This matters because real stormwater and coastal discharge is never a single-pollutant problem. Nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons, micro-particulates and PFAS move together. SAWI’s model is built around intercepting the load, not chasing individual compounds.

Real-World Field Validation

Sponge samples recovered from the Tuggerah Lake deployment were extracted and analysed, confirming capture of both PFAS and toxic metals.

This demonstrates that the technology works:

• in live water bodies 
• not just in laboratory conditions 
• under real environmental loads
   

Why SAWI Uses This Technology

SAWI’s operating model is built around:

• Prevention, not reaction
• Interception, not chemical treatment
• Physical removal of pollutant carriers
• Low-impact, reversible deployment
• No biocides, no chemical dosing, no energy input
   

The Gyroid system aligns precisely with this approach. It is:

• passive and non-powered
• non-toxic and non-invasive
• compatible with marine and estuarine habitats
• recoverable and circular by design
   

This is not a clean-up tool.
It is a risk-reduction and load-reduction tool.

Relevance to South Australia

This independent validation directly supports SAWI initiatives across:

• Harmful algal bloom prevention strategies
• Stormwater outlet interception programs
• Coastal habitat and seagrass protection
• PFAS pathway disruption
• Industrial and port precinct risk reduction
   

It gives councils, agencies and government a science-backed, low-cost, rapidly deployable option to act on water quality risk now, not after damage is done.

Our Position

SA Water Innovation is not here to report on environmental decline.
We are here to prevent it.

Independent university research has now confirmed that the Gyroid interception technology deployed by SAWI:

• captures PFAS, 
• captures toxic metals, 
• operates across real coastal and stormwater environments,
• and performs in live field conditions.
   

This evidence underpins SAWI’s commitment to delivering practical, deployable, prevention-first solutions for South Australia’s waterways and coastlines.

Long Jetty 19 Stormwater Interception.

Central Coast Council, Tuggerah Lakes, NSW

Background

SA Water Innovation (SAWI) was established to address a critical and widely recognised gap in Australia’s stormwater and coastal management frameworks: the lack of practical, deployable systems capable of intercepting fine pollutants, hydrocarbons, nutrients and toxic load carriers before they enter sensitive aquatic environments.

Founded by Rob Manning, SAWI operates on a prevention-first model, focused on real-world interception and load reduction rather than post-impact monitoring and retrospective clean-up.

In mid-2022, SAWI identified Tuggerah Lakes as a priority system following repeated community reports of hydrocarbon contamination, surface sheen, odour events and visible ecological stress. In response, SAWI initiated engagement with Central Coast Council and relevant stakeholders to design a field-deployable stormwater interception trial capable of both pollutant capture and scientific validation.

To deliver the technical deployment, laboratory analysis and field operations, SAWI engaged Sustainable Oil Recovery & Remediation (SORR) as its specialist implementation and remediation partner. This collaboration formed the basis of the 

Tuggerah Estuaries Stormwater Trial (TEST), a proof-of-concept program aimed at improving stormwater quality entering Tuggerah Lakes and associated estuaries.

Following early deployments and community engagement under the SAWI framework, Central Coast Council formally engaged SORR in February 2023 to address persistent hydrocarbon contamination entering Tuggerah Lake via the stormwater outlet at Long Jetty 19 (LJ19).

The LJ19 project was initiated in response to observed hydrocarbon presence, odour, surface sheen and ongoing community concern, with the objective of preventing further pollutant loads entering the lake while enabling scientific analysis, source identification and long-term remediation planning.

SAWI provided the prevention model, project framing and stakeholder coordination, with SORR delivering the field deployment, laboratory analysis and data capture components of the trial.

 Project Objectives

Consistent with SAWI’s prevention-first framework, the LJ19 trial was designed not as a monitoring exercise, but as an active interception and data-generation program.

The primary objectives were to:

• Intercept hydrocarbons and associated toxic pollutants at the stormwater outlet before entry into Tuggerah Lake
• Generate reliable, repeatable scientific data on pollutant type and concentration
• Enable laboratory fingerprinting and upstream source investigation
• Support development of a remediation and prevention strategy for the catchment

Site Description

Long Jetty 19 is a stormwater termination point discharging directly into Tuggerah Lake. The site receives urban runoff from surrounding catchments and was identified as a consistent point source of hydrocarbon discharge into the lake system.

Methodology

Interception System Deployment

Absorbent sorbent booms were installed at the termination point of the LJ19 stormwater drain on 23 February 2023.
The system was designed as a physical interception barrier to capture hydrocarbons and other pollutants in flowing stormwater.

The initial expectation was a six-week change-out interval. However, due to the high rate of pollutant capture, the first change-out occurred within three weeks.

Water and Sponge Sampling

To assess effectiveness, water samples were collected:

• Upstream of the booms
• Downstream of the booms
• At a control point off the jetty

Sampling was conducted in June and July 2023. Hydrocarbon samples were collected in brown glass bottles, heavy metal samples in acidified test tubes, and PFAS samples in 250 ml containers supplied by the University of Newcastle (UoN).

Sponge samples saturated with stormwater were also retrieved for laboratory analysis.

Laboratory Analysis

Independent laboratory analysis was undertaken by:

• Microanalysis Australia (WA) – Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
• University of Newcastle, Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER) – hydrocarbon, PFAS and heavy metal analysis

The GC-MS methodology involved organic solvent extraction of the sponge material followed by compound identification using an Agilent 5977B MSD/7890B GC system and NIST mass spectral library.

Digital Monitoring and Vessel Deployment

SORR deployed a collaborative research vessel fitted with Oil-in-Water (OIW) sensors calibrated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) technicians. The vessel was positioned to create a sheltered lagoon environment, enabling uninterrupted sequential sampling and continuous hydrocarbon concentration logging.

OIW sensors recorded hydrocarbon concentrations consistently at or above 16 ppm, with data logged every five seconds.

Weather data (rainfall and wind direction) was also tracked to correlate hydrological conditions with hydrocarbon movement and surface distribution.

Results

Hydrocarbon Concentrations

Hydrocarbon readings prior to boom deployment were approximately 23 ppm.
Following deployment, readings within the stormwater channel reached between 60 and 220 ppm at various times, indicating active interception of high hydrocarbon loads.

Water readings taken after the boom (on the lake side) recorded as low as 11.9 ppm. Residual readings were influenced by tidal backflow and background hydrocarbon levels in lake water.

Laboratory Findings – Hydrocarbons

GC-MS analysis of sponge samples identified compounds consistent with diesel fuel and its additives, including:

• Octadecane derivatives
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Fatty alcohols and fatty acid methyl esters
• Macrocyclic lactones associated with soil microorganisms

The bulk composition was consistent with diesel range organics (C10–C28), aligning with known fuel oil profiles.

PFAS Capture

PFAS analysis of sponge samples confirmed retention of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
A second sponge sample tested in August 2023 recorded 2.93 grams of PFAS retained per kilogram of sponge.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metal analysis indicated significant retention of Zinc, Antimony and Manganese within the sponge material.

Environmental Significance

The intercepted compounds included:

• Diesel-range hydrocarbons (C10–C28)
• Fatty acid methyl esters
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Fluorinated compounds (PFAS)

These pollutants are associated with:

• Toxicity to aquatic organisms
• Bioaccumulation risks
• Long-term sediment contamination

Critically, the project demonstrated that fine and dissolved pollutants, not just visible litter, were being actively removed from the stormwater pathway.

This is a fundamental distinction from conventional stormwater management approaches, which are typically limited to gross pollutant and litter capture.

Data, Source Tracking Capability and Recommendations

The integration of:

• Oil-in-Water (OIW) sensors
• AWS digital twin monitoring
• GC-MS fingerprinting
• Drone and sediment analysis recommendations

Enabled a credible pathway toward source identification of the diesel contamination.

Recommendations arising from the program included:

1. Hydrocarbon fingerprint analysis to isolate diesel source
2. Upstream drain investigation
3. Extended sediment sampling in low water exchange areas
4. Deployment of PFAS-optimised sorbent material
5. High-resolution drone survey of the catchment area

Circular Economy Outcomes

The system is designed for:

• Reuse, recycling and repurposing of saturated media
• No landfill and no incineration pathways
• Conversion into carbon black, hydrogen and low-emission fuels

This approach reduces:

• Carbon footprint
• Waste volumes
• Secondary environmental contamination

Why This Matters

This trial demonstrated that:

• Significant hydrocarbon, PFAS and metal loads can be intercepted at stormwater outlets
• Rapid, low-impact deployment is achievable without major civil works
• Data-driven remediation planning is possible using captured material
• Prevention at source is a viable strategy for protecting sensitive estuarine systems

In practical terms, it shows that councils are not limited to monitoring and reporting pollution after damage has occurred – they can actively reduce pollutant loads at the point of entry.

SAWI Perspective

SA Water Innovation builds on this proven field deployment to offer:

Prevention-focused stormwater interception for councils seeking to reduce pollutant loads, protect marine habitats and lower long-term remediation risk.

The Long Jetty 19 project provides a real-world example of:

• Outfall interception
• Fine pollutant capture
• Circular end-of-life processing
• Data-enabled environmental management

This trial now serves as a prototype for the SAWI operating model – integrating prevention, interception, scientific validation and circular outcomes into a single, deployable framework.

 Microplastics & Stormwater Interception Trial – Industrial Manufacturing Site (NSW)

Chipping Norton, Sydney | June–November 2025

Background

SA Water Innovation (SAWI), founded by Rob Manning, operates on a prevention-first model to intercept pollutants at source before they enter waterways. In 2025, SAWI initiated an industrial stormwater microplastics interception trial at a large PVC manufacturing facility in Western Sydney, in collaboration with Sustainable Oil Recovery & Remediation (SORR), the Plastics Industry Pipe Association (PIPA), and academic partners.

The trial site was selected due to historical concerns regarding PVC resin pellets, microplastics, and fine polymer particulates escaping during rainfall events from resin handling and loading areas into the stormwater network. Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

This project formed part of a broader industry “Clean Sweep” initiative focused on improving waterway health by preventing plastic loss at source and validating advanced interception technologies under real industrial conditions. PIPA IPLEX

Project Objectives

The objectives of the trial were to:

• Prevent microplastic, resin pellet, and fine polymer particulate discharge into the stormwater system
• Validate the performance of micro and nano-scale filtration technology under industrial operating conditions
• Assess maintenance, durability, and hydraulic performance over time
• Quantify potential plastic loss prevention volumes
• Support future scaling across other high-risk drainage points and sites
   

Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

Site Description

The trial was conducted at a high-throughput PVC manufacturing facility in Chipping Norton, NSW. The focus area was the resin loading zone, where bulk polymer handling activities occur and where stormwater drains are exposed to potential resin pellet and microplastic loss during washdown and rainfall events. Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

Methodology

Site Inspection & Risk Assessment

In June 2025, a joint inspection was conducted by SORR, PIPA representatives and site personnel. The inspection identified:

• Existing drain guards previously installed as mitigation measures
• One drain guard that was structurally compromised and ineffective for micro-particulate capture (removed)
• One drain guard structurally sound but requiring retrofit
• Drains located in heightened risk zones due to proximity to resin handling activities
   

Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

Filtration System Installation

On 28 June 2025, SORR installed two Micro and Nano Filtration Units at critical drainage points:

Location Description Action Drain 1 (Resin Loading Zone) Former guard failed : 

Full installation of SORR Micro & Nano Filter Unit Drain 2 (Resin Loading Zone)Existing frame retained SORR Micro & Nano Filter retrofitted 

Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

The filtration units were designed to:

• Capture micro and nano-scale particulates, including PVC resins
• Prevent plastics, hydrocarbons and other contaminants from entering stormwater 
• Withstand industrial conditions with minimal maintenance
• Allow ongoing performance monitoring
   

Maintenance, Replacement & Monitoring

On 3 November 2025, a scheduled inspection and filter replacement was conducted by:

• Marc Kuhl – Engineer & Co-Founder, SORR
• Adnan Irshad – PhD Candidate, UNSW SMaRT Centre 

The visit included:

• Removal of used filter
• Installation of new Gyroid Micro–Nano Hybrid Filter (Serial No. SORR–IPX–1125)
• Visual inspection of pit, housing and flow conditions
• Photo and video documentation
   

Results & Observations

Visual & Operational Performance

During the November 2025 inspection:

• The drain pit was clean and free of gross pollutants, including litter, silt and plastic fragments
• No hydrocarbon sheen or resin accumulation was visible
• The filter housing was intact with no corrosion, deformation or damage
• Flow was evenly distributed through the media, with no bypass or obstruction
   

5.2 Plastic & Particulate Capture

Since installation on 28 June 2025, the two filtration units are estimated to have prevented approximately 15–20 litres of plastic particulates from entering the stormwater network. SORR Filtration Unit – 

This figure represents a conservative estimate based on observed capture and material removal during filter replacement.

6. Environmental Significance

The intercepted materials included:

• PVC resin pellets and fines
• Microplastics and polymer fragments
• Associated hydrocarbons and industrial particulates

These pollutants are associated with:

• Toxicity to aquatic organisms
• Ingestion risk to fish and birds
• Bioaccumulation through food chains
• Long-term sediment contamination
   

This trial demonstrated that micro and nano-scale plastics, not just visible litter, can be actively intercepted at source before entering waterways, addressing a critical gap in conventional stormwater management systems. Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…

Data, Validation & Source Tracking Capability

The trial integrated:

• Physical micro–nano filtration units
• Academic oversight (UNSW SMaRT Centre)
• Scheduled inspection and controlled replacement cycles
• Planned laboratory analysis of retrieved media

Retrieved filters and captured material were scheduled for submission to the UNSW SMaRT Centre for polymeric composition analysis, sediment load profiling and hydrocarbon absorption characterisation. SORR Filtration Unit – Filter R…

This approach enables:

• Identification of polymer types
• Quantification of capture efficiency
• Validation of system performance under industrial conditions
• Support for future scaling and regulatory reporting
   

Circular Economy Outcomes

The filtration system operates under SORR’s Circular Recovery Protocol, whereby:

• Used filters are returned for processing and regeneration
• Captured plastics and hydrocarbons are recovered, not landfilled
• Materials are repurposed into secondary products and feedstocks
• Zero landfill and zero incineration pathways are maintained
   

SORR Filtration Unit – Filter R…

This circular design reduces:

• Carbon footprint
• Waste volumes
• Secondary environmental contamination
   

Why This Matters

This trial demonstrated that:

• Microplastics and fine polymer particulates can be intercepted at industrial stormwater outlets
• Rapid, low-impact deployment is achievable without major civil works
• Routine maintenance and replacement is practical and safe
• Data-driven validation is possible using retrieved media
• Prevention at source is a viable strategy for protecting downstream waterways 

In practical terms, it shows that industrial facilities are not limited to compliance reporting after pollution has occurred — they can actively prevent microplastic loss at the point of generation.

SAWI Perspective

SA Water Innovation builds on this proven industrial deployment to offer:

Prevention-focused microplastic and stormwater interception for councils and industry seeking to reduce pollutant loads, protect waterways and strengthen ESG performance.
 

This project provides a real-world example of:

• At-source microplastic interception
• Fine pollutant capture under industrial conditions
• Circular end-of-life processing
• Data-enabled environmental management

It now serves as a prototype for SAWI’s industrial stormwater operating model, integrating prevention, interception, scientific validation and circular recovery into a single, deployable framework.

Key Takeaways (for web or executive summary use)

• 2 micro–nano filtration units installed at high-risk resin handling drains
• ~15–20 litres of plastic particulates prevented from entering stormwater in 4 months
• Clean pits, no bypass flow, strong hydraulic performance observe 
• UNSW SMaRT Centre engaged for polymer analysis
• Circular recovery protocol applied (no landfill, no incineration)
• Scalable model for other industrial and municipal sites
   

Footnotes / Sources

1. Deployment of SORR Micro and Nano Filtration Units – Installation Report, 28 June 2025. Deployment of SORR Micro and Na…
2. SORR Filtration Unit – Filter Replacement and Site Inspection Report, 3 November 2025. SORR Filtration Unit – Filter R…
3. Proposal for Proof of Concept – Stormwater Drain Gyroid Filtration Inserts, 30 May 2025. PIPA IPLEX

 Gyroid Sponge Field Validation – Heavy Metals & Polluted Water Remediation Goa, India | October 2024 Independent Laboratory Validation – Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd

Overview

SA Water Innovation (SAWI), through its technology partner SORR India, undertook independent laboratory testing of the Gyroid Sponge filtration system to validate its performance in capturing suspended solids, organic loads and heavy metals from polluted surface waters.The testing was conducted in Goa, India, by Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd, a Government-recognised and ISO-certified environmental laboratory.This project forms part of SAWI’s broader prevention-first strategy to provide deployable, circular, non-chemical water remediation solutions for stormwater, industrial runoff, ports and marine environments.

Why This Project Was Undertaken

Across India and many coastal and riverine regions globally, surface waters are impacted by:

• Untreated stormwater
• Industrial discharge
• Organic pollution
• Heavy metals
• Microbial contamination

SAWI and SORR India commissioned this testing to independently verify whether the Gyroid Sponge can:

• Capture fine suspended solids and organic load
• Retain heavy metals at meaningful levels
• Remain environmentally safe and stable in field conditions
• Support circular recovery and reuse pathways

Testing Partner & Accreditation

All testing was conducted by: Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd✔ Recognised under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 – MoEFCC, Government of India ✔ ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Certified ✔ Report Dates: 15–17 October 2024This ensures the results are independently validated, regulator-recognised and scientifically credible.

Scope of Testing

The program included:

1. Chemical and microbiological analysis of impacted surface waters
2. Comparative heavy metal analysis of unused and used Gyroid sponge samples
3. Material safety and integrity testing (TCLP analysis)

Key Results – What the Gyroid Sponge Achieved

Filtration of Contaminants from Water

The Gyroid Sponge demonstrated strong performance in removing and retaining pollutants from contaminated water, including:

• Suspended solids (TSS): up to 364 mg/L captured
• Organic load: 
  • COD up to 3320 mg/L
  • BOD up to 1050 mg/L
• Ammonia and nitrogen interception confirmed
• Microbial contamination detected (faecal coliforms) – confirming polluted source water (Gyroid is not designed as a biological treatment, but contributes to overall load reduction)

This confirms the Gyroid Sponge’s ability to physically intercept and concentrate pollution, rather than allowing it to disperse through waterways.

Heavy Metal Capture – Used Sponge Analysis

Laboratory analysis of the used sponge confirmed retention of:

• Manganese (Mn): up to 7.52 mg/L
• Iron (Fe): up to 0.28 mg/L
• Zinc (Zn): up to 0.09 mg/L
• Cobalt (Co) and Tin (Sn): trace levels recorded

Critically, the following hazardous metals were below detection limits:

• Arsenic
• Lead
• Mercury
• Chromium
• Cadmium

This demonstrates both effective capture performance and safe environmental handling characteristics.

Sponge Safety & Material Integrity

Testing of unused sponge material confirmed:

• No hazardous metal content
• No leachable contaminants

TCLP analysis verified:

• Strong containment performance
• Suitability for deployment in sensitive environmental areas

This is critical for use in stormwater outlets, coastal zones, ports and community waterways.

Environmental Benefits

The Gyroid Sponge system provides:

• Capture of visible, micro and nano-scale pollutants
• Interception of suspended solids, organics and metals
• Non-chemical, passive operation
• Low-impact deployment in natural and urban environments

Unlike conventional systems that focus only on litter or gross solids, the Gyroid Sponge targets the fine and dissolved fraction that drives long-term ecological harm.

Circular Economy Advantage

A core part of SAWI’s operating model is circular recovery. Captured materials can be:

• Recovered and concentrated
• Processed via pyrolysis or regeneration pathways
• Reclaimed as carbon, fuel or industrial feedstock

This means:

• No landfill
• No incineration
• Waste converted into value

Turning pollution into resource.

Why This Matters

This project confirms that:

• Fine suspended solids, organic load and heavy metals can be physically intercepted
• Independent laboratories can verify real-world performance
• The system is safe for sensitive environmental deployment
• Circular recovery pathways are viable

It provides strong validation for use in:

• Stormwater outlets
• Industrial discharge points
• Ports and harbours
• Coastal protection programs
• River and lake remediation projects

SAWI Perspective

SA Water Innovation builds on this independently validated performance to deliver:

Prevention-focused water interception systems that reduce pollutant loads before they reach ecosystems, while enabling circular recovery and long-term risk reduction.

The Goa field validation provides a scalable proof point for SAWI’s work across Australia, India and international markets.

Project Snapshot

• Location: Goa, India
• Testing Partner: Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd
• Report Dates: 15–17 October 2024
• Key Outcomes: 
  • High suspended solids and organic load capture
  • Verified heavy metal retention
  • Safe material integrity confirmed
  • Circular recovery pathways supported

Acknowledgement

SAWI and SORR India acknowledge the thorough and professional laboratory testing carried out by Sadekar Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd, forming the foundation for scaled environmental application across India and beyond.

Contact

Rob Manning Founder – SA Water Innovation Chairman – SORR India 📞 +61 (0) 419 698 484 ✉ r.manning@sorr.com.au🌐 www.sorr.com.au