Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined SPC Ardmona Operations Ltd over $7,500 for illegally depositing fruit juice into a stormwater drain from a waste water pit at its Shepparton plant.
EPA North East Manager Clare Kiely said the spill of fruit juice was reported to EPA by SPC last October.
“SPC informed EPA that the fruit juice overflow had occurred because of a blockage in the company’s trade waste system, which is a clear breach of the Environment Protection Act 1970,” Ms Kiely said
Ms Kiely said that further investigation from EPA officers found that the Goulburn River back water where the company’s stormwater discharges was a greenish colour and had a strong odour with rotting fruit characteristics; however the spill had not impacted the water quality of the river.
“Testing of the stormwater and trade waste pit conducted by EPA officers confirmed the fruit juice had come from SPC’s Shepparton plant,” Ms Kiely said.
“While there were no environmental effects on the Goulburn River, the odour from the spill did impact temporarily on the local commercial and parkland areas.”
Ms Kiely said SPC had pumped the fruit juice from the stormwater drains and flushed it to remove any residual contamination.
“EPA has also issued the company with a further notice that requires it to provide a stormwater management plan detailing improvements SPC will make to reduce the risk of further spills occurring,” Ms Kiely said.
EPA urges members of the public to report suspected pollution to EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au