Poor paint wash practices lead to fines

Environment Canterbury recently issued two infringement notices due to paint from rinsing brushes, rollers and other painting equipment being washed into a stream or onto land where it could enter a waterway. Each infringement notice carries with it a $750 fine.

“We are beginning to see an emerging issue associated with the huge increase in house repairs and this serves as a warning to those in the painting industry as well as to others handling painting equipment that they need to wash out their gear in a responsible manner,” says Environment Canterbury Regional Manager RMA Monitoring and Compliance, Brett Aldridge.

“It is important that all people carrying out painting, plastering and concreting work, especially as part of the rebuild effort, understand their obligations and how to dispose of the wash water appropriately to protect streams and rivers.

All of Christchurch’s storm water drains, streams and creeks eventually flow into the Avon (Otakaro) and Heathcote Rivers (Opawaho), or the estuary/Ihutai, and these are highly valued by Christchurch residents. Paint and wash water must be disposed of to the sewer or trade waste system, otherwise if discharged into streams it could kill fish and invertebrates. The Christchurch City Council will provide advice and assistance to organise this.

Mr Aldridge explains that people or companies caught discharging wash-down water into streams or onto land where it could get into a stream can expect to receive infringement fines.

“If we discover people repeatedly offending, prosecution is the likely end result. If they are found guilty, offenders face penalties that are potentially very significant.”

Environment Canterbury’s Pollution Prevention Team is working with the painting industry, especially those involved in the Christchurch rebuild effort, by providing advice on how to dispose of all trade waste, including the clean-up of paint equipment properly, and in an environmentally appropriate way.

For information and guidance on how to appropriately clean up painting tools and the like please refer to the Pollution Prevention pages of the Environment Canterbury website