EPA Victoria has fined a concrete manufacturer $4,070 after highly alkaline wastewater was found flowing from its Port Melbourne premises into a stormwater drain leading toward the Yarra River.
During an inspection, EPA officers observed concrete slurry escaping from the site on Boundary Street and entering the drainage system. Testing confirmed the wastewater had a pH above 10, indicating high alkalinity. EPA determined the discharge posed a risk to the surrounding environment due to its corrosive and harmful properties.
Under Victorian environmental law, only clean rainwater may be discharged into stormwater systems. The incident was considered a breach of the Environment Protection Act 2017 due to the potential for pollution and ecological harm.
EPA Victoria continues to remind all operators handling concrete, slurry or washout materials to have appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal systems in place to prevent runoff from entering drains or waterways.
