Car wash grime leads to fine

A bright green mix of car wax, soap, solvent mixed with car dirt, oils and grease flowing into a stormwater drain was enough to make community members see red and call EPA Victoria.

In February this year, EPA officers responding to community calls, attended Brilliant Car Wash at Arthurton Rd, Northcote, and saw the green slick running down Goldsmith Grove into the stormwater system, which flows right into the Merri Creek.

The car wash operator, SOR ENTERPRISES PTY. LTD. as the Trustee for RUKAJ FAMILY TRUST, which faces a $4,070 fine, confirmed a blockage, but they hadn’t called a plumber to fix it meaning the waste had been running for some time.

“The wastewater that comes off a car, according to the Australian Car Wash Association is often high in heavy metals like copper, lead and zinc, as well as the road dirt that has been collected and the wash solvents and chemicals, so it has to be properly controlled,” said EPA Northern Metropolitan Regional Manager Steve Riley.

“Only rainwater should go down stormwater drains. Anything else poses a risk to the health of our waterways.

“We’ve been to this car wash in the past for similar issues and we will be monitoring their ongoing performance, but if you do see any pollution issues, call us on 1300 372 842 and www.epa.vic.gov.au anytime.”

SOR Enterprises has the right to appeal the fine.