MILLIONS of litres of industrial waste water pumped into the Yarra River by Mobil each year is being diverted into the sewer system.
Mobil Oil Australia’s new 4.7 million-litre water management system at Yarraville Terminal ends the 40-year practice of sending stormwater and treated wastewater directly in the river under an “industry waste-water” licence.
An amended licence – the last of its kind in the state – was granted to Mobil by the Environment Protection Authority in 2011, despite widespread condemnation.
EPA spokeswoman Lauren Nowak said continuing the licence would be inappropriate for the current day and age, “particularly when there is a viable option for Mobil to divert any waste water to the sewer system”.
Yarraville Terminal is Melbourne’s largest fuel storage and distribution terminal, receiving refined fuels from the Mobil Altona and Shell Geelong refineries and the Holden Dock fuels wharf.
Operated by Mobil as a joint terminal for Mobil and BP, it supplies about one third of the state’s fuel.
Stormwater discharge varied according to rainfall but an average of five million litres of waste water has been directed into the Yarra River per year after being treated to remove oil and hydrocarbons – more than 13,500 litres per day.
Ms Nowak said the discharge met EPA limits for chemicals such as benzene and there was no evidence the practice harmed the river or human health. EPA and Mobil entered discussions in 2011 to cut wastewater and end direct discharge into the river.
Ms Nowak said the EPA issued a pollution abatement notice in 2012, requiring Mobil to have a system in place by June 30 this year for sending all waste to the sewer. “Mobil was required to seek a trade waste agreement with City West Water before discharging to the sewer system. That agreement will include monitoring obligations.”
Andrew Warrell, Mobil’s manager of refining for Australia and New Zealand, said the new $1.5 million system showed commitment to environmentally responsible operations.
Yarra Riverkeepers Association spokesperson Ian Penrose said diverting waste water from the river was a welcome but overdue step, brought about by community pressure.
“We were disturbed that the EPA issued the licence [in 2011],” he said.
“It is a good thing that this is happening, but it’s not before time.”
