Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Donald company more than $7,500 for illegally dumping about 400 litres of septic waste on public land at the Lake Wooroonook Reserve near the Borung Highway.
EPA North West Manager Scott Pigdon said Onleys Holdings Pty Ltd was fined as abandoning industrial waste of this nature, at a site not licensed to receive it, was a clear breach of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
“It is very disappointing to see a sewerage cartage company take short cuts when it knew full well discharging this waste on public land was unacceptable,” Dr Pigdon said.
Dr Pigdon said an EPA investigation, sparked by a report by a member of the community, had found the company was contracted to educt the septic system at a toilet block at the Lake Wooroonook Reserve.
“During the eduction four full loads of septic waste, with each load being of about 4,500 litres, was removed from the site and taken to a licensed treatment facility. However, during the last load about 400 litres was illegally dumped about 150 meters away because it wouldn’t fit in their tank on the truck, which ensured another load wouldn’t be required,” Dr Pigdon said.
Dr Pigdon said EPA officers had found dried grey material that contained a quantity of toilet tissue to the west of the toilet block.
“A series of soil samples were taken from the area which showed high elevations of e-coli levels were present. As a result EPA has also issued the company with a notice that requires them to remove all of the waste and to take it to a licensed site by Friday 17 June,” Dr Pigdon 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