EPA Victoria has fined East Gippsland Water $9,880 over a leak of more than three megalitres of treated wastewater at Eagle Point.
The water was Class B wastewater from a sewage treatment plant, which is considered suitable for irrigation or watering stock but contains high levels of nutrients and should be kept out of waterways to avoid causing algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels.
The spill came in December 2024 when East Gippsland Water self-reported to EPA that an underground broken main on its irrigation network had leaked treated wastewater beyond its property. The wastewater had flowed into a private dam on a farm on Lake Victoria Rd.
EPA says the broken main caused a drop in water pressure, but the poor design of the system meant that the irrigation pump sped up instead of shutting off. The problem was not detected for approximately 36 hours and an estimated three to four megalitres of wastewater escaped.
As a body licensed by EPA, East Gippsland Water is required to self-report any unauthorised discharges.
EPA fined the company for the unlawful deposit of more than 1,000 litres of waste under the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Anyone can report pollution to EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
