Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority has issued 38 clean-up and pollution abatement notices to electroplating businesses in the Melbourne metropolitan area, including operators in Campbellfield and Reservoir.
EPA director of environmental regulation Chris Webb said electroplaters were singled out because of the environmental risks posed by the heavy metals and chemicals they use.
Mr Webb said heavy metals and their impact on stormwater was one of EPA’s top six compliance priorities for 2013-14.
“A spill or release of these metals and chemicals, even in very small amounts, can cause long-term damage to soils, rivers and streams, fish and other aquatic life and human health,” Mr Webb said.
“In 2011, an initial round of inspections highlighted significant non-compliance, and sampling of a Melbourne creek showed elevated levels of particular
metals.”
One site inspected in Campbellfield received two notices, requiring the company to check and repair concrete and below-ground infrastructure to ensure against leaks.
In all, 40 businesses were inspected as part of the compliance crackdown.
Sixty-two per cent of inspected sites received a notice, some receiving more than one, and eight businesses are under further investigation.
“Environment protection officers found that the most common reasons for a notice included improper storage of chemicals and waste, lack of bunding or bunding not maintained, and inadequate maintenance of plating tanks, baths and other leaking infrastructure,” Mr Webb said.
“The proper identification and disposal of filter cake waste was also an issue.”
