'Concerning' story behind Melbourne creek's fluoro glow
A Melbourne business has copped a hefty fine after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Victoria declared it responsible for turning a creek fluoro green.
Following reports Scotchmans Creek in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne had turned bright green EPA traced contamination back to Pebble Mix Finishes.
The EPA found liquid mix fluorescein from the business on Myrtle Street in Glen Waverley had escaped through the stormwater system and contaminated the creek on May 18.
The government organisation issued an $8,060 fine to the decorative stone distributor for its negligence in ensuring liquids didn’t escape its premises.
“EPA expects businesses to manage their onsite risks including installing controls to make sure liquids do not escape their premises,” EPA Regional Manager Marleen Mathias for the Southern Metropolitan Region said.
“It is disappointing that the site did not have adequate controls in place.”
Flurescein is a dye-like substance often used by plumbers to track drain systems, according to the EPA.
The distinct colouring only remains vivid in the water for a couple of hours, but the EPA told Yahoo News Australia that was long enough for the public to perceive a threat.
“It’s hard to say if it caused any harm to the area, but anything that makes the local community believe there could be a threat is a cause for concern for us,” an EPA spokesman said.
A small quantity can spread a significant distance through water and is harmless to the aquatic environment, unless mixed with other substances as was the case for Pebble Mix Finishes.
Yahoo News Australia contacted the company for comment on the matter.
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