Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) officers have issued four remedial notices to Dandenong South businesses and found a likely source of lead contaminating the local stormwater system.
The EPA action follows two inspection campaigns across 22 Dandenong South businesses; EPA was joined by City of Greater Dandenong officers for the second phase of the operation.
EPA Manager Southern Metro Leigh Bryant said the inspections were undertaken in response to sampling of stormwater conducted by the Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM).
“The results of the CAPIM sampling, which found contamination in waterways including elevated levels of the metals barium, lead, copper and zinc, were obviously of great concern to EPA. These targeted inspections were carried out to identify potential sources of contamination,” Mr Bryant said.
Mr Bryant said the blitz had led EPA to issue four remedial notices to four businesses.
“EPA has issued the notices for a variety of reasons but predominantly for the incorrect storage of waste,” Mr Bryant said.
“Three notices issued following the first round of inspections have both been complied with and are now revoked. We will keep a close eye on the last notice to ensure compliance is met before the required due date.”
Mr Bryant said that while the identification of the sources of contamination was the key objective of the blitz, the secondary objective of the campaign was to increase the business community’s understanding their legal environmental obligations in order to prevent pollution.
“EPA has sent over 300 letters and education packs to businesses in the area reminding them of their environmental responsibilities and notifying them of possible EPA inspections,” Mr Bryant said.
“During our inspections we also provided general verbal advice on how to comply with the Environment Protection Act 1970, and in particular, how to prevent contamination of Dandenong’s stormwater system.”
Mr Bryant said all sites visited by EPA would be provided with inspection reports outlining all findings.
EPA, City of Greater Dandenong, Melbourne Water and CAPIM (funded by Melbourne Water) have worked jointly on the campaign.