The only thing that should go down our stormwater drains is rain, and that's why EPA Victoria gives such close attention to industrial run off.
ASK Developers Pty Ltd has been fined nearly $4,000 after an investigation by EPA found they had used high pressure cleaners to clear a newly built driveway at Stonehill Drive, Maddingley of a special surface bonding agent. As part of the clean up process, the contaminated wastewater was washed into stormwater drains that lead to the Werribee River.
A remedial notice was also issued under the General Environmental Duty section of the EP Act to provide instructions and training to all employees and contractors on their construction sites on how to properly control industrial waste.
"Construction companies are required to comply with their environmental obligations, but where they haven't, they will be investigated and more fines will be issued unless they live up to the community's, and the law's, expectations," said EPA South West Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane.
"Discharges that are individually small can collectively lead to pollution of our natural waterways and local areas, impacting aquatic plants and wildlife such as the platypus who are known to live in the Werribee river."
