BlueScope has been fined over a spill containing cyanide that accidentally entered a drain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued a $1500 penalty notice to BlueScope over the incident, which occurred on July 1 last year.
The EPA's Illawarra region manager, Peter Bloem, said coke oven gas condensate, containing cyanide at levels that breached BlueScope's environment protection licence limit, discharged into a drain, killing fish.
"BlueScope reported the incident immediately and investigations showed that the discharge was caused by a blockage in a condensate collection system, resulting in 3000-5000 litres of condensate entering into the drain," Mr Bloem said.
The spill did not pose a risk to humans as it was entirely contained on the BlueScope site.
In addition to the fine, BlueScope was also required to undertake two pollution reduction programs.
"The company is required to reconfigure the condensate collection system to make sure the incident doesn't happen again and investigate improvements to surface water management on site," Mr Bloem said.
He said the EPA response took into account the "isolated" nature of the incident and BlueScope's co-operation.
A spokesman from BlueScope said the company "regrets" the incident, which occurred as a result of "an unusual build-up" of the coke oven gas, which overflowed into the drain.
"This was noticed within minutes of the event and the system was shut down immediately and sample testing initiated," the spokesman said.
"A number of corrective actions have since been put in place to prevent a similar occurrence. This includes modifications to the system to ensure any future overflows will be contained, as well as an engineering study to redesign the drainage network in that area."