Sydney chemical, manufacturing business ordered to clean up Toongabbie Creek after suspected pollution incident turns waterway bright blue

The mystery surrounding a western Sydney creek turning shades of fluorescent blue has taken a twist after environmental investigators traced the source. Here is what we know.

The creek stunned locals when it turned shades of bright blue last week.

The mystery about why a western Sydney creek transformed into shades of fluorescent blue has taken a turn after environmental investigators traced the source to a suspected pollution incident stemming from a chemical manufacturing and distribution business.

DGL Manufacturing has been ordered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to clean up Toongabbie Creek after the watercourse, which forms part of the Parramatta River catchment, turned vivid blue at two locations last week.

The incident had stunned many local residents and environmental groups as well as sparking a flurry of speculation into the potential cause.

An investigation by the EPA has now traced the discolouration to a storm water drain outlet upstream, located at the back of an industrial estate, where a “significant amount of blue water” was discharging.

Upon further investigation of the drainage system, the EPA said its investigators had been able to locate the source to the DGL Manufacturing warehouse building at 11 Boden Rd in Seven Hills.

The incident was reported to the EPA by concerned residents.

The investigation included an unannounced inspection of the business where the EPA said its investigators identified blue coloured water in stormwater drains located within the premises and a stormwater pit which discharges into the stormwater system

The EPA said investigators had also observed “blue coloured liquid” in bulk containers at the warehouse as well as containers labelled ‘waste dye’ located at the rear of the premises.

Based on the investigation, the EPA said it “reasonably suspected that a pollution incident had occurred at the premises resulting in pollution in Toongabbie Creek.”

A photo of the DGL Manufacturing site in Seven Hills. Picture: Google Maps.

The EPA has given DGL Manufacturing a clean up order to ensure “all reasonable and feasible measures are in place to contain and remove pollution from in and around Toongabbie Creek” as well as the stormwater system.

The Daily Telegraph contacted DGL Manufacturing for comment about the clean-up order but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

As part of the clean-up order, the company must also ensure that any waste generated by clean-up actions are taken to a facility that is lawfully able to accept the waste.

The order requires the measures to be adhered to by 5pm on May 8.

The creek turned vivid blue last week.

John Hibbard from Friends of Toongabbie Creek said the waterway was an important part of the ecology of the Parramatta River catchment.

“Everyone is worried because the creek is home to an abundance of wildlife including turtles and eels and all that water eventually flows into Sydney Harbour,” he said..

“A lot of volunteers work to protect and enhance the waterway - it does run clear sometimes - and it’s an important place for the community to appreciate the wonder of the environment.”