Maribyrnong Council investigate contractor after claims of contamination

A council in Melbourne’s north west is investigating claims one of its contractors dumped contaminated water into a storm drain, which leads directly into Stony Creek.

Maribyrnong Council is investigating a waste water contractor for allegedly dumping contaminated water into a storm water drain.

Maribyrnong Council is investigating a waste water contractor for allegedly dumping contaminated water into a storm water drain that empties into Stony Creek.

Last week, a concerned resident took photos of a Veolia truck dumping black water into the Francis St main drain in Sanderson St, Yarraville.

The resident said the drain emptied into Stony Creek.

Neighbours have been concerned about the condition of Stony Creek since the West Footscray fire last year devastated its health and biodiversity.

Maribyrnong Council infrastructure director Steve Hamilton said Veolia was contracted to clean out pipes and drains in Sanderson St using a method called dewatering.

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“Dewatering is a standard practice where debris is removed from the pipes, and run through filters to ensure any solid material is captured and separated from the water” Mr Hamilton said.

“The method they used in this photo was not agreed to by the council.

“The council is taking this matter very seriously and investigating with Veolia, seeking assurance … that this does not occur again.”

The resident said he reported the incident to the Environment Protection Agency.

EPA statistics show stormwater washes 14,000 tonnes of sediment, 650 tonnes of nutrients such as nitrogen from fertiliser, litter, heavy metals and bacteria into the Yarra River each year.

Veolia did not respond to a request for comment.