Wastewater fine for business

A Springvale business received a $7500 fine for illegally dumping industrial waste into stormwater.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) fined Universal Marble after tracing white sediment-laden wastewater from the Booloora Road stormwater system back to the premises.
EPA acting southern metro manager Marleen Mathias said the investigation followed a complaint from a member of the community and the waste came from stonecutting works.
“The company said the discharge occurred due to a hole in a wastewater tank that resulted in the waste flowing down the stormwater drain,” she said.
Ms Mathias said the fine should serve as a reminder to all businesses that it was their responsibility to look at all potential ways wastewater could leave their sites.
“Anyone who allows wastewater to leave their premises can face a fine of over $7500 or up to $758,350 if prosecuted before the courts,” she said.
Ms Mathias said the EPA also issued Universal Marble with a notice requiring controls to prevent further industrial waste discharging into the stormwater system.
“The company has since fixed the issue by installing a pipe into the hole in the tank so that any leaks will now flow back into the site’s overflow system and not the stormwater system,” she said.
“EPA will continue to monitor the site to ensure the company remains compliant with its statutory obligations and that no further environmental impacts occur as a result of its stonecutting activities.”
Ms Mathias encouraged members of the public to report suspected pollution to the EPA on 1300 372 842 or at www.epa.vic.gov.au.