Questions and answers

• How severe is the pollution?

  This pollution event is affecting Cherry Creek and Lake. While investigations into the incident are still ongoing, it is understood a chemical spill of up to approximately 12,000 to 13,000 litres of a detergent being stored at Melbourne Transport and Warehousing factory site in Laverton North, led to some of that material entering the drainage system and flowing into the creek. The spill has also resulted in many fish deaths.

  EPA advises that people should avoid contact with the water, and do not collect or eat the fish from Cherry Creek or Cherry Lake. Keep your pets away from the water and do not let them eat the fish.

• What was the detergent, what is it usually used for? How dangerous is it?

  The detergent is known as ‘Teric N9’, and it has a main ingredient called ‘nonylphenol ethoxylate (pronounced ‘NON-ill-FEE-nol eth-OX-ill-ate) also known as NPE)’. It is used in shampoos, cosmetics, cleaning products and has many industrial uses. NPE is very toxic to fish, because high concentrations in water cause oxygen levels in the water to drop. The impacts of concentrated Teric N9 on humans can include skin irritations and eye damage. It is harmful if swallowed. For this reason, EPA has been issuing precautionary advice for people and their pets to avoid contact with the water.

• Has the matter been taken seriously?

  EPA and partner agencies including Melbourne Water, WorkSafe and the Hobsons Bay City Council take this matter very seriously. EPA has commenced an investigation into how this contamination occurred and any potential breaches of the law. EPA and WorkSafe have also issued legal notices to require appropriate management actions by the duty holder, Melbourne Transport and Warehousing Pty Ltd. Melbourne Water is leading the fish clean-up and initial cleaning of the stormwater drains, with assistance from EPA and other agencies.  

• Is the Clean-Up Occurring? When?

  Melbourne Water and specialist contractors engaged by Melbourne Transport and Warehousing started the clean up on 7 March, as soon as the incident was reported. EPA has been working closely with Melbourne Water to provide assistance with the clean-up and has issued an Environmental Action Notice to Melbourne Transport and Warehousing to require appropriate containment, management, clean up and reporting. A significant amount of clean up is already complete by Melbourne Water and Greater Western Water in the stormwater and drain catchments worst affected near Laverton North, and they are currently finalising their Clean Up Plan as required by EPA which will confirm further works and timing.

  At 28 April, 2022, 23 tonnes of dead carp (and some eels) have been removed from the impacted waters. All dead fish have been disposed of in an appropriate licensed facility.

• Who is responsible for the clean-up at the lake? Are there enough resources for this task?

  Ultimately whoever was responsible for the incident will be responsible for the clean-up. To address the immediate impacts, Melbourne Water has taken the lead on cleaning up the waterways and removing the dead fish. EPA is assisting with monitoring water quality from Cherry Creek and Lake.

• How long will it take to clean up the matter?

  We are seeing good progress. While the initial clean-up of the dead fish has taken some weeks, the overall recovery of the Creek and Lake to pre-pollution incident levels is likely in June on current observations.  EPA continues to undertake sampling and analysis of both water and sediments within the affected area. These sampling results will determine the effectiveness of the clean-up operations and inform any further works that may be required.

• What is the green bubbling type substance coming from a drain?

  That is the detergent, it foams up when high pressure water is added to it. As Melbourne Water wash out the drains, they are being careful not to apply too much high-pressure water to the remaining detergent.

• How long would it have taken for the chemical to get to the dog beach, as the signs were only put up more than 10 days after the event?

  The primary concern, and reason for signage at the dog beach, was decomposing fish, ingestion of dead fish (which would likely have contained higher concentrations of the chemical) by pets, and bacteria associated with decomposing fish in the water. Dead fish were not initially observed beyond the lake during the initial incident and were not present at the beach until much later. Signs were erected at Altona Dog Beach once EPA observed fish carcasses were present at the beach. EPA testing has confirmed there are no contamination or bacteria concerns in this area and these signs have now been updated to advise it is safe to swim at the Altona Dog Beach. 

• Is there advice for residents who use the Cherry Lake public BBQ facilities, playgrounds, etc?

  Key health messages are the same:

  • Do not eat or collect (touch) the fish
  • Do not let your pets eat or collect the fish
  • Avoid contact with the water, it may cause skin irritation in individuals sensitive to detergents

• Does any government agency regularly test or monitor the water in Cherry Lake or its contributing waterways?

  Many water monitoring resource can be found on our website.

  Water quality data for Victoria can be found at the Water Measurement Information System.

• Is the water being tested at Altona Beach and Dog beach to confirm it is safe for swimming?

  Water testing is being conducted at Altona Dog Beach as this is next to where Cherry Creek flows into Port Phillip Bay. The water is now safe for swimming at Altona Dog Beach.

• What is the prediction outlook for long term water qualities, sediments?

  The detergent is known as Teric N9, the main ingredient being nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). NPE will degrade with sunlight, oxygen and bacteria. EPA is investigating the by-products of NPE and further work is required to understand NPE in the sediments of Cherry Creek and Lake. EPA has undertaken sediment sampling and is currently awaiting analysis results. 

• Will you make the real time data available to the public? As the EPA beach report is now closed, there is no way of us finding more about the water quality over time, ie after rain?

  We appreciate the desire by the Altona community for up-to-date information, and it is our priority to provide information that is meaningful. The samples and data being collected from Cherry Creek and Lake require analysis and interpretation for it to be meaningful. For this incident, measurements of the contaminant NPE require laboratory analysis, which typically takes 5-7 days to complete. Once our scientists receive and interpret the results of that analysis, we can provide a meaningful update of the water quality to the community, and use the data make operational decisions (eg whether we need to update signs, alter our testing plans, test other areas, etc). EPA will continue to monitor water quality in both Cherry Creek and Lake until concentrations of NPE return to the levels that would be expected in similar urban creeks.

• What is the plan for recovery of the area? Fish/eel restocking (natives). Broader wildlife surveys?

  This will be determined after the clean-up process is complete and authorities have the necessary testing results to make the correct decisions. Melbourne Transport and Warehousing have indicated a willingness to work with community on any restocking opportunities.

• Will long term data be made public?

  Details of many water monitoring resource can be found on our website.

  Water quality data for Victoria can be found at the Water Measurement Information System.

  EPA is open to sharing sample analysis results with interested individuals by request.