On 25 March 2022, Kenneth John Beaver, 49, walked down the driveway of a house in Greenhood Court, Gosnells, carrying a bucket of liquid waste. He then emptied a dark, opaque liquid from the bucket into the stormwater drain next to the verge.
Testing carried out later confirmed the waste contained hydrocarbons, commonly found in substances such as fuels and lubricants.
In the Armadale Magistrates Court on Tuesday 29 November 2022, Mr Beaver was fined $8,000. He was also ordered to pay $363 for the drain clean-up, as well as court costs of $788.30.
The maximum penalty for this type of offence is $62,500.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Executive Director for Compliance and Enforcement, Kelly Faulkner, said there was no circumstance in which pouring waste down a drain was acceptable.
“Street storm drains flow directly into the environment and waste poured into them ends up in wetlands, lakes, rivers or the ocean,” she said.
“Some wastes, such as used engine oil, can be disposed of free of charge at licensed facilities, which can be searched for online. Substantial penalties await anyone who does the wrong thing.”
Anyone who witnesses illegal dumping is asked to call the department’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782, email pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
