Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is continuing to use its rapid air monitoring equipment at a Somerton fire site today to monitor air quality in surrounding areas.
This is the first deployment of the EPA's enhanced capacity to support emergency services. The rapid deployment capacity is a direct response to the learnings from Hazelwood and represents a significant investment to help ensure community confidence in air quality.
The equipment allows EPA scientists to provide real time air quality data to the incident controller. EPA monitoring of air and water has identified no concerns.
“It is the first time EPA has used its air quality rapid response equipment to a major pollution event since acquiring it this year,” Chief Executive Officer Nial Finegan said.
“The equipment is in addition to EPA’s fixed stations across the state and enables us to rapidly respond to incidents that may impact on air quality, which helps to give the community confidence in the air they are breathing.
“EPA is also using its ‘travel blanket’ capability, which is another form of mobile equipment mounted to a vehicle to help monitor air quality readings.
Mr Finegan said EPA officers were also on site providing advice on the waste materials as well as advice to CFA about how best to contain water used from fire fighting activities.
EPA has previously served notices on Ecotec Woodwaste to cease accepting waste and to stop burning it; the company breached those notices. EPA’s investigation into Ecotec Woodwaste continues.