Water Sensitive SA Event - Community of Practise

On December 4 we heard from leading local practitioners at our Specifying biofiltration filter media and swale plantings | Community of Practice. James Butterworth, Landskap, took us through the design process of the AILA 2024 Water for Life award winning St Peters Avenue upgrade, featuring some of the healthiest and biodiverse swales you will see in an urban streetscape. Shaun Kennedy, SA Water, Vegetation Specialists explored how a biodiverse planting palette can create sustainable urban meadow, resilient in variable watering regimes with effective weed suppression.

We delved into the science of biofilter media discussing the current specifications and demonstrated the performance of the different filter media products available in SA, highlighting the benefits of the inclusion of organics.

I prepared a set of five sample jars for each table to demonstrate the infiltration rate and other results when consistent volume of water was added to each jar. The jars all had transition and drainage layers, then had biofilter media standard; filter media with organic matter; filter media topped with sediment; organic loam; sandy loam.

It was impressive to see how the filter media performed compared to the other standard landscaping products sold at yards. It had excellent infiltration rates and maintained its structure.

Also speaking were Kerri Muller our principal ecologist, Mellissa Bradley our Program Director, and I.

The feedback was all very positive especially how it was hands-on for the demonstration aspect.

It was the first time I had done public speaking since university a year earlier.

The site tour looking at all the swales along St Peters Street was very informative - great for the attendees to see real life examples