Companies are being urged to consider how they dispose of wastewater after an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Environmental Protection Authority has fined a Wodonga quarry operator over the dumping of wastewater.
C and K Cartwright Civil Contracting Pty Ltd was fined more than $9000 by the EPA for the offence which they can have reviewed or considered by a court according to reports.
An investigation in March uncovered hoses depositing wastewater into Carroll’s Creek which the company was not licensed to do according to the EPA.
EPA Northeast Regional Manager Renee Palmer said the wastewater could have impacted Carroll’s Creek.
“This was not an accidental spill, there were five hoses laid through a culvert under Carrolls Lane to take the wastewater to a drainage depression in the road reserve. From there it overflowed into the billabong,” Palmer said.
“There was no permission to allow the company to dispose of wastewater at that spot and there was the risk of wastewater making its way to Carroll’s Creek, which flows into the Murray River.”
The company was fined $9,246 for unlawfully depositing more than 1000 litres of waste, an offence under the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.