Rusted pipe leads to fine

By Melissa Meehan
A DANDENONG South company has been fined more than $5600 for discharging a red liquid into the stormwater system.
EPA Victoria fined International Flavours and Fragrances (Australia) Pty Ltd (IFF) for allowing trade waste to be discharged.
A public report was received in February this year of a red liquid flowing into a large open drain near Swift Way, Dandenong South.
EPA officers found the source of the liquid to be the company’s premises, at 310 Frankston-Dandenong Road.
Investigations revealed that company had temporarily changed its procedure for washing its manufacturing equipment.
Due to corrosion in the pipe underneath the washing bay, wash waters from the business entered the stormwater system.
EPA fined the company $5671.
EPA Dandenong manager Susanna Young said industrial wash waters were a trade waste and should be sent to a sewer, where they could be disposed of safely.
“The stormwater system washes into creeks and rivers and is not an appropriate place for waste from industrial sources,” Ms Young said.
“These kinds of incidents put our waterways at risk, and the fine is a warning to the company to take more care in future.”
A spokesman for the company said the release was accidental, and the problem occurred due to corrosion of an underground pipe in the company’s wash bay.
He said that after being notified of the problem, the company immediately isolated the problem and stopped using the facility.
The company has 28 days from the date of issue to pay the fine, seek an internal review, or have the matter dealt with in court.