The Age (Australia): Shell told to clean up oil leaks: “The EPA has issued a soil and groundwater clean-up notice against Shell, warning that oil leaking from the company's Corio refinery is threatening Corio Bay.”: “Compliance with the notice is expected to cost Shell "several millions of dollars a year…” (ShellNews.net)

By Kenneth Nguyen

October 19, 2004

The EPA has issued a soil and groundwater clean-up notice against Shell, warning that oil leaking from the company's Corio refinery is threatening Corio Bay.

Although the seepage is mainly under Shell's refinery, of particular concern for the EPA is a plume of contaminated groundwater covering at least 100 square metres underneath the Corio foreshore.

Shell said yesterday that it was already working on cleaning up groundwater.

But EPA chairman Mick Bourke said the company had engaged in "insufficient actions and slow implementation of measures . . . to address (the EPA's) environmental concerns".

The notice requires Shell to remove contaminated groundwater, repair and expand upon existing underground trenches, and improve on-site identification and reduction of leaks.

Compliance with the notice is expected to cost Shell "several millions of dollars a year", EPA south-west area manager Tony Robinson said.

The foreshore area under threat is not used as a swimming beach, and Mr Robinson said there was no immediate risk to public health.

Shell refinery manager Geoff Ellison said the company had appointed a groundwater expert to help it comply with the notice. He also said work was under way on implementing an environmental improvement plan in conjunction with the EPA.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/18/1097951628217.html?oneclick=true