Council’s Catchments to Coast Committee has heard about a hydrocarbon smell and surface shimmer, possibly diesel, at the outlet of a stormwater pipe at Long Jetty.
The evidence has existed for over 10 years.
There has been several investigations and the source of the leak has still not been identified, the September 13 advisory committee meeting was told.
“It has been confirmed to be a long chain hydrocarbon, which suggests that it may be either diesel or motor oil,” a council staffer told the meeting.
Council is investigating a Contaminated Land Declaration nearby.
The report did not state the address of the stormwater pipe.
Council will investigate if the hydrocarbon is weathered to determine its age.
A member of the committee suggested that if it is found to be diesel then it may well be a leaking underground tank, but if motor oil then possibly ongoing illegal discharges.
“Alternatively it may be a historic leak that is still present underground on top of the water table that slowly makes its way into the stormwater system through subsoil pipes into stormwater pits,” the meeting heard.
Council’s Environmental Management Unit will be approached to assist with a scientific analysis.
A meeting of interested groups including the Long Jetty WaterWatch group will meet in October and an update will be provided to the Catchments committee in December.
