AN incorrect report about waste water being discharged into stormwater drains from a yacht at Mornington has sparked a warning from the EPA to all Port Phillip yacht clubs.
It is believed the EPA was told that illegal waste water was being discharged at Mornington, but club commodore Andrew Young disputed the claim. After EPA investigations, Young said the club was cleared. “We have always discharged waste into our sewerage system, not in stormwater [drains], and the case is closed.”
As a result of concerns raised with the EPA, bayside yacht clubs have been issued with a directive to dispose of waste water into the sewerage system rather than stormwater drains to prevent pollution. The EPA is examining waste water disposal procedures at all yacht clubs on the bay.
In a statement, the Mornington club told members it had “instituted a procedure to capture waste water from the traversing pit and pump this water into our sewerage system”. It also told its members ”not to dispose of contaminated waste water into our stormwater pits … Otherwise we risk a heavy fine and shutting down the ability to clean and perform maintenance on boats within the yard”.
In May, the club will require that all boats are cleaned by a diver one week before being brought up the slipway.
First published in the Mornington News – 2nd April 2024
