NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined a company $15,000 for the inappropriate storage of materials at their composting facility.
EPA officers inspected the site in early January 2018, and found inappropriate storage of –
- above ground tanks including drums,
- chemical containers and intermediate bulk containers containing oil,
- solvents, and
- transmission fluids.
Unfortunately, these were stored in the workshop without bunding or a spill containment system in place.
EPA Manager Regional Waste Compliance Cate Woods said if released to the environment, the liquids stored in above ground tanks would cause environmental harm.
“Inappropriate storage of materials can result in pollution including impacts on local waterways in the event of a spill and a lack of containment,” Ms Woods said.
“Environment Protection Licences detail strict conditions. Compliance with conditions is not optional – they outline the specific rules and conditions waste facilities must operate by to ensure minimal risk to the environment.”
The company has now installed bunds in the workshop to ensure the materials are stored safely.
Penalty notices are one of a number of tools NSW EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance including formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions.
For further information about NSW EPA’s regulatory tools, see NSW EPA Compliance Policy.
