An Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigation has found new pavers in Adelaide's Chinatown were likely stained while oil was being transported, but has not discovered evidence it was deliberately dumped in drains.
The EPA started investigating on Monday and today announced it had found "staining on some pavers but no physical or electronic evidence of direct disposal of oil into the drains".
The pavers were installed in Moonta Street as part of a $4 million redevelopment of the area next to Adelaide's Central Market.
Adelaide City Council staff raised the issue last week, suggesting the pavement had been stained by nearby restaurateurs using a stormwater drain to dump their waste oil.
The EPA today said the council had shared CCTV vision of two recent incidents, but found they only showed oil being transported, not dumped.
EPA acting operations director Andrew Pruszinski said the agency supported the council's move to focus on education for local residents, shop owners and restaurateurs about their responsibility for the storage and transport of oil and other waste.
"The council has advised that it will be creating new material to educate businesses about sustainability and the correct way to transport and dispose of waste," he said.
"The EPA will also continue to liaise with waste transporters to ensure all possible precautions are taken to reduce the likelihood of spills during collection."
Businesses risk fines of up to $30,000 for illegal oil disposal.
Moonta Street connects Gouger and Grote streets in Adelaide's Chinatown, but also includes restaurants and supermarkets from other ethnicities.
