Concrete companies are being warned to make sure waste from their sites does not pollute the environment, after EPA fined a Ravenhall company $8,261 after finding concrete slurry escaping its premises.
EPA Western Metropolitan Regional Manager Stephen Lansdell says the leaking slurry and contaminated water was easy to spot and the concrete batching company should have taken action without EPA's intervention.
"EPA officers observed slurry and turbid liquid that had left the premises of Economix Pty Ltd and was in gutters on Fuller Road," Mr Lansdell said.
"It went as far as 50 metres, and was found around a stormwater drain, which means it could easily have polluted the nearest creek," he said.
"Chemical testing found it was alkaline, which is consistent with the presence of cement."
The EPA officers observed the liquid and slurry was flowing through gaps in bunds that should have kept it contained on the Economix site for proper re-use or disposal.
EPA has issued the company with a regulatory notice, requiring it to repair the concrete hardstand at the premises so that no waste or liquids can escape.
"The liquid discharging from the premises is from industrial activity, which makes it Priority Waste under the Environment Protection Act 2017," Mr Lansdell said.
"The new Act, which came into effect on 1 July 2021, requires duty holders to eliminate or reduce risk of harm to human health and the environment. In cases such as this, EPA expects duty holders to identify potential risks and implement controls. Controls include waste reduction, re-use, and proper containment, transport and treatment or disposal, you can't just let it flow into the street," he said.
Duty holders operating concrete batching plants can familiarise themselves with the new law and find useful guidance material such as EPA publication 1806: Reducing risk in the premixed concrete industry on the EPA website.
Under the Environment Protection Act and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There's information on Priority Waste on the EPA website, at: epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/new-laws-and-your-business/manage-waste/priority-waste
