Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Ameropa Australia Pty Ltd (Impact Fertilisers) more than $15,000 for two illegal discharges of contaminated liquid from its Corio site last November.
EPA Executive Director of Regional Services Damian Wells said a large volume of red liquid had flowed into open stormwater drains along Heales Road in Corio from the fertiliser distribution company on 5 November 2015.
“EPA immediately began investigating the source of the spill following a report from a member of the community and was able to determine the liquid, which contained high concentrations of ammonia and nutrients, was being discharged from a dam at the fertiliser company,” Mr Wells said.
“The red colour of the discharge came from contamination of onsite stormwater with wash waters that contained a red pigment.”
Mr Wells said the construction of a bund by City of Greater Geelong Council had prevented the 5 November spill from entering Corio Bay and allowed the liquid to be collected and pumped back to the company’s storage dam.
“During its investigations EPA found out that a further discharge had occurred on 12 November 2015. As EPA was not informed of the discharge at the time, a full investigation was not possible. It is likely that this second discharge would have reached Corio Bay; fortunately no impacts were reported to EPA and no long term effects are likely to remain after dilution in Corio Bay,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said that along with the fines of more than $15,000 EPA had also issued Impact Fertilisers with a notice requiring the company to change its stormwater management to prevent contaminated runoff from being discharged from the site.
“Waste from industrial sites can cause major environmental problems if it gets into stormwater systems. Businesses need a trade waste agreement with local water authorities to discharge trade waste to sewer, where it can be properly treated,” Mr Wells said.
EPA urges members of the public to continue reporting suspected pollution to the EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au