The investigation began when a member of the public saw a vehicle and trailer next to an irrigation channel and reported it to the land manager, Goulburn-Murray Water.
G-MW staff called in EPA when they arrived to find a trailer load of agricultural chemical containers and a shallow pit filled with a white chemical.
EPA officers took samples for laboratory analysis and found the liquid was an agricultural chemical. They estimated between 1000 and 2000 litres had been unlawfully dumped at the site.
After tracing the vehicle’s registration, EPA fined the Shepparton man with the unlawful deposit of more than 1000 litres of industrial waste at a place that was not licensed or equipped to accept it. EPA also ordered the man to clean up the waste and remediate the site.
EPA northeast regional manager Ben Kneebone said the case was a clear warning to anyone considering the illegal dumping of industrial waste.
“It might have seemed like a secluded spot, but the offence was easily spotted and reported by a member of the public, and easily traced back to the person responsible,” Mr Kneebone said.
“The amount of chemical, the manner of its disposal and its close proximity to an irrigation channel didn’t leave much room for anyone to think it would do no harm.”
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the man has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
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