A Glen Waverley company has been fined $8,060 by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) for releasing a substance that turned Scotchman's Creek bright green.
Following public reports, EPA officers inspected the creek on 18 March 2019 and found it had turned a brilliant bright green. Tracing the source back to Myrtle Street, Glen Waverley, the officers found that an onsite issue at the company Pebble Mix, had resulted in liquid mix fluorescein escaping through the stormwater system into Scotchman’s creek.
Flurescein is a dye-like substance often used by plumbers to track drain systems. A small quantity can spread a great distance through water and is benign to the aquatic environment unless mixed with other substances.
“EPA expects businesses to manage their onsite risks including installing controls to make sure liquids do not escape their premises. It is disappointing that the site did not have adequate controls in place” said EPA Regional Manager Marleen Mathias, Southern Metropolitan Region.
Pebble Mix’s release of fluorescein turned Scotchmans Creek bright green
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.
Victoria’s new environment laws take effect on 1 July 2020 and introduce a general environmental duty requiring businesses and individuals to prevent harm to the environment and human health. Learn more on EPA’s website at www.epa.vic.gov.au/newlaws
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842)