Rain likely to impact Stony Creek

Published on 20 November 2018

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is advising residents of West Footscray, Kingsville and Yarraville that this week’s forecasted heavy rain is likely to raise odour levels around Stony Creek.

Even though more than 70 million litres of contaminated water was removed from Stony Creek during the immediate response phase of the industrial fire on Somerville Rd in August, it has not been possible to completely remove all traces.

EPA Principal Expert Inland Waters Leon Metzeling said the forecasted rain would help flush any remaining contaminant through the system and would ultimately help the creek recover.

“Not long after the fire, most of the chemicals from the fire had settled out in the sediments in pools and backwater areas within the creek,” he said.

“High flows such as the one we saw on Cup Day and the flows likely to been seen this week will pick up those sediments and carry them further along the creek, perhaps all the way to Port Phillip Bay.

“While this is a natural process which will help the creek recover, unfortunately in the short term, residents will notice that acrid chemical smell return again.

“The concentrations of the chemicals are anticipated to be much lower than previous times though these chemicals do give off a considerable odour even at low concentrations.”

There has been no sign of contaminated runoff from the site since the fire and EPA officers will be monitoring the site closely across the week to ensure controls are effective.

Officers will also be conducting water quality and odour monitoring across the week.

EPA continues to advise people to avoid coming into contact with water or odour from Stony Creek following the West Footscray factory fire.

EPA’s ongoing advice is:

• Don’t let your dogs swim in Stony Creek
• Don’t walk along the edge of Stony Creek
• Seek medical help if you feel unwell

Signs have also been erected in local areas warning people of the contamination.