A Red Hill petrol station has been fined almost $8,000 after petroleum hydrocarbons were found leaking into a local stormwater drain.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) Southern Metro Manager Marleen Mathias said Mornington Peninsula Shire Council noticed the leak at the front of the United Petroleum Pty Ltd (United Petroleum) station on Arthurs Seat Road in May and notified EPA.
“Sampling by EPA officers confirmed that the stormwater system was impacted by hydrocarbons and that it had come from United Petroleum’s service station in Red Hill,” she said.
“Council created a barrier downstream from the station’s stormwater discharge point to contain the spill.”
Ms Mathias said the impacted stormwater was pumped out and filtered by a waste contractor engaged by United Petroleum and the hydrocarbons were disposed of at an EPA-approved site.
She said petroleum hydrocarbons could release harmful vapours, contaminate land, groundwater and surface water and also impact bird and aquatic life in nearby streams and rivers.
“For the safety of public and environmental health, hydrocarbons need to be carefully managed and properly stored,” Ms Mathias said.
Ms Mathias said United Petroleum were issued with a Minor Works Pollution Abatement notice to fix the source of the leak.
The United Petroleum fine came a month after 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd was fined for stormwater contamination at their Hampton Park petrol station.
“EPA expects businesses and industry to monitor the condition of storage systems used for harmful substances to ensure these leaks and spills don’t happen,” Ms Mathias said.
“Earlier this year, EPA sent a flipchart to 1,400 service stations across the state with safety check lists, emergency contacts, technical and maintenance information, procedures for dealing with spills and leaks and easy-to-read guidance on their legal requirements to increase compliance from the industry.
“Protecting the environment is up to all of us and I urge anyone with concerns about contamination or any other pollution issue to report it to the 24-hour EPA hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).”
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, United Petroleum has the right to have the $7,929 fine reviewed or have the matter determined by a court.