Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Campbellfield business more than $14,000 for illegally discharging liquid waste into nearby artificial wetlands.
EPA found Industrial Galvanizers Corporation Pty Ltd breached the Environment Protection Act 1970 after waste was discharged into a local stormwater system on 23 January 2014.
EPA Metro Manager, Dan Hunt said the discharge happened as a result of equipment failure and a design fault of the onsite stormwater system which was bypassing their auto sampling pit and resulted in orange coloured liquid waste flowing from the company’s Lara Way premises into nearby artificial wetlands.
“EPA officers were able to link the source of the orange substance to a drain bordering the company’s premises via a stormwater pit.
“Water samples taken at the site and nearby wetlands also confirmed a high concentration of certain heavy metals, including zinc, lead and copper. While the size of the discharge is unknown, these high levels of heavy metals have the potential to impact on local waterways and aquatic life.”
Mr Hunt said EPA launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter, which found it was in contravention of two offences under the EP Act.
“EPA first issued the company with two Pollution Abatement Notices requiring it implement measures to prevent the potential for further discharges to the environment. The company complied with these notices and were later revoked.”
“The investigation found the company deposited industrial waste at a place not licensed to accept it, which is an offence under section 27A(2)(a) of the EP Act.
“It also found the company breached Section 27(2) of the Act for allowing wastewater to be discharged from its site, which is a breach under its current licence.”
“EPA has taken into consideration all the relevant factors into this investigation and has fined the company $7,218 for each offence.”
“Companies must ensure they take the appropriate measures on site to minimise impacts to the environment, especially businesses that use heavy metal solutions in their production processes.”
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