River Murray flood
River Murray in flood. Image courtesy of Department for Environment and Water
EPA position on flood mud
The River Murray is a valuable state resource providing a much-loved home for people, flora and fauna alike. It is also a lifestyle and holiday destination for many South Australian families. Everyone affected by the floods can play their part in keeping the river safe from environmental harm for their families, those living downstream and for future generations. It will take committed individuals and communities working together with local, state and Federal governments to ensure we protect this precious asset from unnecessary harm.
The EPA appreciates that the recent floods have had wide-reaching impacts on communities across the River Murray basin. The clean-up as the water recedes is an immense undertaking that requires a coordinated effort. One of the key elements related to these efforts is the removal and disposal of ’flood mud’.
Flood mud is the wet clay, soil and sand that settles on the ground after flood waters recede. The Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 prescribes clay, soil and sand (whether wet or dry) as pollutants. Under this Policy, a pollutant must not be released into any waterways, including the River Murray.
Depositing flood mud into the river causes the water to become cloudy, which significantly reduces the amount of light reaching the riverbed. This can result in significant harm to plant and aquatic life, which impacts the recovery of the river’s delicate ecosystem. To protect the river, any activity (either directly or indirectly) that may cause soil, clay or sand to enter the river must not be undertaken.
All reasonable efforts should be taken to remove soils and mud using either mechanical or manual means while cleaning up roads, paths and hard surfaces to avoid these pollutants entering the river.
If water from low-lying areas needs to be pumped back to the river, all reasonable efforts should be taken to avoid stirring up and pumping any mud that might have settled out in those areas.
How to dispose of flood mud
Flood mud can be properly disposed of by:
- Spreading it across land and property: this may have benefits to the ground area as the mud is nutrient rich.
- If there is no capacity or capability to do this, large quantities can be stockpiled (separate from other waste or litter) for collection by Green Industries waste contractor. This will be offered as a free service.
For further information please contact the relief information hotline on 1800 302 787.
Directory
- Latest information and advice from agencies across government on current flooding along the River Murray
- River Murray water and animals, PIRSA
- River Murray water quality, SA Water
- Flows and water levels, Department for Environment and Water
- Flood waste management and disposal will be overseen by Green Industries SA with advice from the EPA
- River Murray water and human health, SA Health
Flood-affected materials and orphaned wastes
The EPA provides advice on disposal of flood-affected materials or orphaned wastes from flood events and other waste management issues.
For further assistance, please contact us on (08) 8204 2004, email or via YourEPA.