THE United Firefighters Union has accused the CFA of neglecting toxic sludge which contaminated water supplies at the Fiskville training centre.
According to an internal report seen by the Weekly,
the CFA was told in 2009 that the sludge in its two recycled water dams was so contaminated it could not be placed in landfill without four years of treatment.
An investigation into Fiskville’s water began two weeks ago and the dams have since been closed. The report said it would cost more than $1million to dispose of sludge safely.
UFU secretary Peter Marshall said Fiskville was a “toxic waste dump” and the report proved it. “It shows the CFA knew they had toxic waste there.”
A CFA spokesman said a review of water use was continuing. “The CFA board has set aside an initial $5million to begin implementing the 10 recommendations of Professor Joy’s report, along with a further 11 initiatives.”
The CFA has agreed to test groundwater as a precaution and will search for a “substantial number” of missing toxic waste drums.
The Environmental Protection Authority said until an audit was complete, it was uncertain if the missing drums could affect local waterways.
