By Charlene Macaulay
A Hoppers Crossing food company has been fined more than $7700 for allowing waste water from truck washing to escape to stormwater drains at its Richards Road premises.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers were conducting compliance inspections in the area when they discovered waste water from Pitliangas Food Group entering stormwater drains and foam in the drains, which empty into nearby Skeleton Creek.
EPA metro manager Peter Kerr said the waste water contained bleach and chemicals and posed a threat to aquatic life.
Under the Environment Protection Act (1970), businesses must not wash vehicles where waste water can access stormwater pits, gutters and drains. Vehicles must be washed in purpose-built wash bays connected to sewers, or at a purpose-built car wash.
“This was the second time in one month that EPA detected water from truck washing going to the stormwater system from the premises, and the company had been given advice on how to comply with the law,” Mr Kerr said.
The EPA fined Pitliangas $7773 and issued the company with a pollution abatement notice requiring it to modify its truck washing process to prevent waste water or chemicals from entering the stormwater system.
