Fish kill sparks warning of serious pollution in Heathmont creek

THE environment watchdog is investigating pollution in a Heathmont creek after dozens of eels and other fish were found dead — and one person living nearby says his skin was burning after touching the water.

Several dead eels were spotted in Dandenong Creek in Heathmont last week. Picture: Submitted

THE state’s environment watchdog is investigating pollution in a Heathmont creek after dozens of eels and other fish were found dead.

An outbreak of foam first appeared in Dandenong Creek on Melbourne Cup Day, sparking fears local wildlife had been harmed.

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But despite telling the Leader an inspection found there were “no significant environmental or health impacts”, the Environment Protection Authority put a warning out that dead animals had been seen in a 900m stretch of the creek and told people “to avoid contact until further notice”.

The warning was still up on its website on Friday.

First Friends of Dandenong Creek committee member Anthony Bigelow said he saw more than 20 dead eels along the creek early last week.

“Eels usually try to get out of the water (to escape danger), so whatever has happened to them must have been significant and hit them pretty fast,” he said.

“I’m fearful of what’s actually happened at this point.”

Another local resident, who did not wish to be named, said his skin was burning after his dog splashed him with water from the creek on November 10.

The fish kill has sparked serious concerns. Picture: Submitted

Foam was spotted in the creek days before the fish kill. Picture: Submitted

He said he saw “at least” six dead carp in the creek, most of them near the tennis courts at HE Parker Reserve.

The creek is also home to other animals including turtles and ducks.

The EPA has taken water samples from the creek, with the results expected to be known soon.

EPA southern metro region manager Marleen Mathias said no new foam entered the creek during the authority’s initial investigations, so it was impossible to know where it had originated.

“Dandenong Creek is surrounded by the residential areas of Heathmont and Wantirna and an industrial estate, so it is a regular source of pollution reports to (the) EPA,” she said.

Ms Mathias said the EPA supported Melbourne Water in general pollution prevention, and “detection work” including inspections of “possible industrial sources”.

“We also urge residents of the area to remember that anything that enters storm water drains will wind up in the creek, so even simple actions like never washing your car out in the street can help to protect the creek environment,” she said.

Melbourne Water has been contacted for comment.