Sewage leak investigated

Leaking sewage that flowed close to the Tarago River has cost the operator of the Settlers Rest Caravan Park at Longwarry North a $6105 Environment Protection Authority fine.

An investigation alleged found the flow of sewage extended from the edge of a wastewater pond, across an internal road and into an onsite stormwater drain before entering a culvert that ran alongside Morrison Rd and towards the Tarago River.
EPA officers found poorly connected pipework allowed human waste to discharge into the environment, before it was stopped by a makeshift dam set up in the culvert 50 metres from the river.
The leak was reported to EPA by an anonymous community member. EPA received more than 26,000 pollution reports from the public every year.
EPA officers inspected the sewage flow and took samples from the pond as well as locations upstream and downstream of the point where it flowed into the culvert.
EPA Gippsland acting regional manager Zac Dornom said the environmental regulator expected better than this from caravan park operators.
"Caravan parks often combine a mix of environmentally vulnerable landscape with large groups of holidaymakers. The operators have a clear obligation to properly manage their systems and prevent risks of harm to people and the environment," Mr Dornom said.
The EPA fined the caravan park operator, Towt Bros Pty Ltd, for depositing more than 50 litres but no more than 1000 litres of sewage from the premises into a roadside culvert linked to the Tarago River, in contravention of the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or considered by a court.
Community members can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution