EPA Victoria says businesses should treat recent heavy rains as a dress rehearsal for winter, and check that the environmental safety measures on their premises are working.
EPA South West Regional Manager Carolyn Francis says heavy rain can lead to hazards like odour, combustion and spills if the systems are not all right.
“This is a good chance to sort things out before winter sets in,” Ms Francis said.
“Checking and fixing any problems now can save you a pollution incident, more expensive repairs or enforcement action from EPA later,” she said.
“We would rather you bring your site into compliance now, than have us use a regulatory notice or issue a fine after there was a problem.”
EPA says site managers should be able to spot the potential problems with just a few minutes spent patrolling the premises after recent rainfall events in many areas.
• Check bunding and ensure it is appropriately emptied to return to full capacity
• Check stormwater drains and systems – do they look clean or are there indications of contamination leaving the site?
• Check storage areas – are there any signs of material being washed away or water pooling that could become a source of odour?
• Check stockpiles of organic material – if it is too wet, it can result in combustion or odour.
“If you find hazards or potential problems, seek expert advice on managing them and notify EPA if there are potential risks to the environment,” Ms Francis said.
“We would much rather offer advice and see that you have fixed a problem, than come back later because there’s been a fire, a spill or complaints from neighbouring businesses or the public,” she said.
Businesses can find helpful guidance on how to identify and manage risks on the EPA website
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at
