EPA Victoria's has released its latest statement about the illegal waste dump site located 15km south of Kaniva.
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The environmental regulator is currently continuing to prepare the site for the next phase of remediation.
Last year, Graham Leslie White allegedly buried 50 million litres of chemical waste on property he owned near Lemon Springs, which threatened the water supply for the Wimmera district.
White was issued a clean up notice by EPA Victoria last August, and after showing no compliance, the environmental regulator exercised its powers to secure and monitor the property in December last year.
"Our staff have been on-site this month to scope further site stabilisation works. This will include a prepared area to enable the safe storage and testing of any evacuated waste materials," EPA Victoria stated.
To support the efficient movement of heavy machinery around the site, there are plans to potentially create additional internal roads on the property.
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Any remediation works undertaken on the property will require permits, with contractors already at the site this month as part of the process.
While the environmental regulator acquires all of the relevant permits needed to complete remediation works, they are still monitoring water quality in the area.
EPA Victoria are working alongside Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) to monitor groundwater quality.
Despite Kaniva residents being initially worried about the town's water supply being affected, testing continues to show no sign of groundwater contamination.
To complement the environmental regulator's groundwater monitoring, GWMWater has increased water sampling and testing of bores, which supply Kaniva, to every fortnight.
"Why the risk is very low, this is to make sure any potential changes to the groundwater quality would be detected early," EPA Victoria stated.
EPA Victoria are also still investigating how the toxic material arrived and was disposed of, with the Kaniva community to be kept informed by various different media platforms.
If residents are interested in receiving monthly updates, they can email: northwest.mailbox@epa.vic.gov.au to register.
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Taylor Harvey
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
