A Sunshine North company has been fined over a foam-without-the-fire incident that polluted the Maribyrnong River.

EPA Victoria has fined R.A. Bell & Co Pty Ltd $3,952 for contravening the Environment Protection Act 2017 by allowing 20 litres of concentrated firefighting foam to enter the stormwater system.

The investigation began with a report from the public on 6 August 2024. EPA officers followed the trail of foam back to the site on Berkshire Road where the company provides engineering and maintenance services for fire and rescue agencies.

They found the company had failed to follow its onsite procedures, allowing firefighting foam to escape into the stormwater drainage network.

EPA Western Metropolitan Regional Manager Jeremy Settle says that the quick report from the public made all the difference.

“That timely call meant the trail of foam hadn’t been washed away in the stormwater drain and the trail of evidence was still there to follow,” Mr Settle said.

“Businesses have a responsibility to contain spills on site, through their procedures and measures like having a barrier that can trap liquids before they escape from the property,” he said.

“Whether a foam or detergent is toxic or not, many of them deprive the water of oxygen, which can kill fish, the tiny invertebrates they live on, and plant life in and around the river.” 

In this case, the firefighting foam is understood not to contain harmful PFAS chemicals and gradually dissipated in the river.

EPA will continue to regulate the company, requiring it to install controls to ensure that no more incidents like this can occur.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.

Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution