THE NSW Environment Protection Authority has slapped AGL Macquarie with a $15,000 fine for an alleged breach of the Bayswater power station's licence.
The watchdog alleged that in February slurry from the power station outside Muswellbrook's lime softening plant entered a Wisemans Creek tributary, "resulting in water pollution that made its way to a nearby river red gum endangered ecological community".
NSW EPA regional director north Adam Gilligan said the authority treated these types of incidents seriously.
"In response to a self-report from AGL Macquarie the EPA inspected the plant and saw that slurry material travelled approximately 500 metres, reaching the creek and the river red gum community.
"AGL had already started a clean-up of the affected area and additional containment measures were put in place.
"The discharged slurry material has been removed and the site has been remediated in consultation with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (formerly the Office of Environment and Heritage)."
The maximum fine for failing to comply with environmental protection licence conditions or clean-up notices is $1 million for a corporation. It can also cost them another $120,000 per day if the offence continues.
The EPA said AGL had implemented controls to prevent further issues at the power station near Muswellbrook and to improve its performance.
