Melbourne Water staff and crews are working with partner agencies to manage contaminated runoff from a large fire on Wednesday 10 July, at Swann Drive in Derrimut.
The fire site is now contained, which means runoff is no longer expected to enter local waterways.
Signage has been posted at Laverton Creek, Cherry Creek, Anderson’s Swamp, Kayes Drain, Cherry Lake, and Altona Beach in Derrimut and Altona to advise the public to avoid contact with the water.
Booms, made of porous material, remain at key sites on the surface of the water, continuing to draw in any remaining contaminants.
Melbourne Water personnel are inspecting booms daily and are working alongside the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to monitor water quality in the area.
Since the incident, Melbourne Water staff have been inspecting the water, and no observable impacts on wildlife have been revealed. However, pets should be prevented from drinking or entering it.
Roads and local drainage systems were washed, and water used to clean the site was removed for treatment. On Monday, Melbourne Water crews flushed additional local drains adjacent to the fire site ahead of heavy rainfall overnight.
From 12:30am on Thursday 11 July, Melbourne Water staff worked with Greater Western Water to manage the flow of runoff into the sewer network from three pumps at Cherry Creek, Kayes Drain, and Fitzgerald Lane.
The water was pumped to reduce further impacts on the ecology of downstream waterways. About 3 million litres of water were removed every hour for decontamination and treatment.
Image: phonix_a/stock.adobe.com
