Ku-ring-gai Council reported a leak from an old landfill in Turramurra to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on July 11, which resulted in a watercourse through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park being contaminated with leachate.
The leak was found to be from a faulty pump underneath North Turramurra Golf Course.
An EPA officer inspected the site and discovered an orange liquid and sediment from a system that disposes of water from a former landfill site located within the golf course.
Photos from the scene show the polluted water flowing through a waterway in the national park.
A clean-up notice was issued to the council which required it to prevent, remove and divert the liquid from the national park.
A replacement pump was later put in place by the Ku-ring-gai Council to stop the leak.
“EPA officers gathered samples of the leak along with water samples from an unnamed creek downstream to determine any potential environmental impact,” a NSW EPA spokesperson stated to 9news.com.au.
“The EPA’s investigation is continuing.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ku-ring-gai Council said the leak occurred due to an “unexpected pump malfunction”.
“The Environment Protection Authority was advised as is standard process by the Council as part of our self-reporting practice,” the spokesperson said.
“The pump forms part of a drainage system that operates as part of a trade waste agreement.
“In response to the incident Council replaced the faulty pump as well as associated pipework and commenced clean-up work. This approach has been discussed with the EPA who have expressed their satisfaction with the works being undertaken.
“Council will continue to monitor the system to ensure no further incidents occur.”
