Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Incitec Pivot Ltd (IPL) more than $15,000 for discharging an estimated 1.7 million litres of treated wastewater and untreated stormwater into Corio Bay from its North Shore premises between July and September that did not comply with the conditions of the company’s EPA licence.
EPA South West Manager Carolyn Francis said that in addition to EPA’s fines, the company had already spent a significant sum to transport additional wastewater and stormwater offsite to prevent further discharges.
“This costly scenario could have been avoided if the site had in place the correct management of stormwater and had maintained its wastewater treatment plant to prevent discharges into Corio Bay,” Ms Francis said.
“The stormwater containment system at the site was simply not able to cope with high rainfall and overflowed on three occasions into Corio Bay, completely bypassing its treatment system.”
Ms Francis said the discharges for some contaminants were higher than background levels in Corio Bay, and were at levels that could have had harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems, such as nuisance algal growth.
“These discharges did not comply with the company’s EPA licence limits for pH, suspended solids, fluoride, total phosphorus and zinc,” Ms Francis.
“EPA does not have any direct evidence that the discharges caused environmental impacts. However the levels of contaminants were above the licence limits, which are set to protect the environment.”
Ms Francis said the company has already modified its wastewater treatment plant so that treated effluent complied with its EPA licence. The company is also required to review the stormwater management system to ensure it can copy with high rainfall events.
“Large industry has a responsibility to meet its licence conditions, which are established to reduce environmental impact from a site’s activities,” Ms Francis said.
“EPA licences companies such as this to ensure the health of Victoria’s environment. Industry needs to be vigilant in its responsibilities by understanding licences and the impact its activities can have on the environment.”
Members of the public should continue to report suspected pollution to EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au