EPA Orders Removal of Contaminated Sediment

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued Melbourne Water Corporation a notice requiring it remove a sediment stockpile at Thomas Street, Yarraville, after it was found to contain traces of asbestos last November.

The sediment, which must be removed by early August, was dredged from Stony Creek as part of the water corporation’s routine maintenance of the site. Since EPA confirmed the contamination, the site has been fenced off from the public.

Melbourne Water was also issued a notice last year requiring it to develop a management plan for the Thomas St stockpile.

EPA Acting Metro Manager Daniel Hunt said that since the contamination first came to light, EPA and Melbourne Water had worked closely together to ensure there was no risk to the community.

“Last year’s notice asked Melbourne Water to assess the stockpile and it has reported back that the best management option is the removal of the sediment. EPA officers agreed with the approach and this is reflected in the latest notice requiring its removal.”

As part of the new notice, Melbourne Water is also required to provide test results to EPA by early August that clears the site from contamination following the removal of the stockpile.

[mappress mapid=”20530″]