EPA runs snap inspection of local car washes

ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria officers are helping car washes across the state’s southwest clean up their act, following 18 snap inspections at commercial businesses in Geelong and elsewhere.

The inspections concentrated on stormwater management, the disposal of wash water, the storage and handling of chemicals, spill response readiness, the use of EPA’s Waste Tracker to make sure priority waste goes to the right place for disposal, and each company’s trade waste agreement with local authorities.

EPA Victoria announced it had completed the snap inspections last week, and acting south-west regional manager Tanya McAteer said the EPA’s experience with local businesses showed a lot could be achieved with co-operation.

“For most of the car wash operators it was the first time they’ve interacted with EPA officers, so we’ve focused on giving them a chance to get things in order with advice and guidance rather than regulatory notices or fines,” Ms McAteer said.

“It’s mostly about the cleaning products – you don’t want them winding up in the stormwater drains, local creeks and the nearest lake or river.

“Your local commercial car wash needs to be a professional operation, and that includes fulfilling its responsibility to the environment.”

The EPA Victoria car wash inspection team are Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment (OPLEs), who are EPA-authorised officers that work closely with councils to tap into local knowledge and work with staff on co-operative operations.

The OPLEs delivered 28 pieces of compliance advice to car wash operators on the management of wash waters, the need for effective spill kits to allow quick response to any chemical spills, the use of Waste Tracker, and the right ways to store and handle liquids.

“Under the Environment Protection Act 2017, there’s a General Environmental Duty that gives every Victorian a role in reducing the risks to the community and environment from pollution and waste,” Ms McAteer said.

“Every business must be able to show they can manage and control the risks of pollution they create.

“The car wash operators responded positively to the inspections, so EPA is expecting they will have given it their best efforts to make sure they are compliant with the rules when we return.”

EPA Victoria is conducting inspections across the state and targeting industry sectors with the potential to cause pollution, including concrete batching plants, agricultural chemical distributors, motor vehicle and machinery servicing/repairs, chemical handling, and intensive animal industries.

For more information about the General Environmental Duty, head to epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/laws/laws-and-your-business/general-environmental-duty-for-businesses

For more information on EPA Waste Tracker, head to epa.vic.gov.au/wastetracker