North Coburg company, Calcorp Services, has been fined $3,698 after one of its employees was seen washing a white substance down a stormwater drain.
A community member noticed the employee by the side of Tower St, Ardeer in June washing off the substance into the gutter. They photographed the incident and reported it to the EPA Victoria.
Calcorp had been hired to spray an anti-graffiti coating on a nearby mural. The employee was in the process of cleaning off a spray unit but should not have been doing it into the street. "Tipping any waste down the street and into stormwater drains is not on. It has been against the law for a long time and a fine is clearly warranted.
"We estimate about 300 litres of the chemical cleaning substance was tipped down the drain which eventually reaches Kororoit Creek," Steve Lansdell EPA West Metro Regional Manager said.
"Calcorp has shown it is not how they would normally go about their business, have spoken to the employee involved and will improve their staff training.
"I would like to thank the community members who contacted us and provided photos on the spot so we could take quick action. The public are our best eyes and ears. If you see pollution let us know on 1300 372 842."
