Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined the iconic Kalkallo Hotel $7,773 for breaching its licence by allowing contaminated waste water to discharge into a tributary of Merri Creek at levels above its licence limit.
EPA Manager Metro Dan Hunt said the hotel’s management had been contacted on several occasions to improve the performance of its Waste Water Treatment Plant, but had failed to act in a reasonable time.
“EPA investigations and analysis at the hotel at 1324 Hume Freeway, Kalkallo showed suspended solids and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in discharged waste water above the hotel’s licence limit. Their limit for BOD was set at 20 milligrams per litre (mg/L) but the discharge was at 38mg/L,” said Mr Hunt.
“Hotel management was aware of the situation but failed to act and had not notified EPA of the contravention as they must according to the conditions of their licence.
“Further analysis in March this year showed a continued discharge of waste water above the BOD licence limit despite our communications with the hotel management, and because of that they were fined $7,773 and given an Official Warning for failing to notify EPA of the breach.”
Mr Hunt said the EPA had acted under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and would continue to monitor the situation to ensure appropriate action is taken by the hotel which has until the end of July to show it has taken appropriate steps.
“Kalkallo Hotel management was given a chance to improve the performance of its Waste Water Treatment Plant and keep EPA Informed. Their failure to do so in a reasonable time is disappointing and means a fine and ongoing monitoring of waste water discharge is appropriate,” said Mr Hunt.
He said the discharge in to the Merri Creek was not at a point used by the public.