Greywater Compliance

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (18 June 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change):

1. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is using audits of privately owned vessels to assess and encourage compliance with the 'Code of Practice for vessel and facility management (marine and inland waters)' (Code of Practice). The latest audit was at Renmark in May 2015 and involved five EPA officers, who were assisted by an authorised officer from the Renmark-Paringa Council. An officer from Goulburn-Murray Water, involved with managing houseboats on Lake Eildon in Victoria, was also present to learn from the audit procedures that the South Australian (SA) EPA is using.

The EPA currently has one full time officer allocated to its non-licensed compliance work in the 'Murraylands' region, which includes the work on vessel greywater. This officer is supported, at need, by officers from the investigations, legal, science and management areas of the EPA.

2. Of the privately owned vessels audited at Renmark on 27 and 28 May 2015, 16% were found to be non-compliant, with others assessed as having a 'pending' status.