Farmer fined after herbicide dumped in Werribee drain

A Werribee South farmer has been fined for dumping a herbicide in a storm drain.

The Environment Protection Authority responded to reports of a chemical spill in Werribee South in January and traced the chemical to a Duncans Road farm.

They found a container of herbicide which was tested and confirmed to be the same as the chemical in the water.

The farmer was fined $1500 for causing an environmental hazard.

EPA metro manager Richard Marks said landowners needed to dispose of hazardous waste safely.

“The stormwater drain in Duncans Road, Werribee South, leads directly to Port Phillip Bay. There was concern if the

herbicide reached the bay it would harm vegetation, in particular sea grass beds,” Mr Marks said.