Chemical and microbiological pollution can come from a number of sources. Swimming and/or swallowing water contaminated with high levels of bacteria or chemicals can put you at risk of illness such as gastroenteritis, skin irritations, or respiratory, ear and eye infections. Contaminated water can also cause detrimental harm to the environment and animals.
Aquatic facilities
The Town monitors the water quality of public and some private aquatic facilities to ensure the water is safe to swim in. The Town may close aquatic facilities from time to time when there is contamination.
For more information about this please refer to the Aquatic facilities page.
Your home
If you are concerned about water quality in your home we may be able to assist with testing, please contact the Town’s Environmental Health Officers for more information.
Your neighbourhood
The Town's storm water drains should not be used to dispose of wastewater from household or business activities. There can be significant penalties for causing environmental harm.
Soil contamination can pose a serious risk to humans and the environment.
The Department of Environment Regulation maintains a list of known contaminated sites throughout Western Australia. For further information please refer to the Contaminated Sites Database.
To report a problem
To report soil contamination pollution, please call Customer Service on 9311 8111 or email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au with your contact details and address of the property of concern. Your request will be allocated to an Environmental Health Officer for follow-up.
If you report this after hours you will be transferred to the out-of-hours service where you can leave a message. If there is a Ranger available they will attend. Your complaint will be received by an Environmental Health Officer the next working day.
Dust
Dust from construction work or unsealed vacant land can be a nuisance to neighbours and interfere with normal daily activities. If severe enough, it can impact on people's health.
For further information on dust suppression during demolition or construction refer to the Dust control page.
Should you have a problem with dust emissions, attempt to discuss the issue directly with the person responsible for the nuisance in order to try and achieve a resolution. If the issue has still not been resolved, please contact the Town’s Environmental Health Officers.
Wood smoke
Refer to the Wood heaters page for more information.
Burning off
Refer to the Burning off page for more information.
The Town investigates complaints about light and glare that come from advertising signs, entertainment venues and events, Council parks and properties, and private property (such as flood lights or sensor lights). When investigating a light complaint, the Town will consider:
- The amount of light.
- The compliance of the lighting on the road to Council requirements.
- The duration and rate of emission and the light's characteristics and qualities.
- The sensitivity of the environment and the impact of the light.
- Views of any other neighbours or complainants.
Reducing light and glare on your property
To avoid light nuisance you can reduce light and glare emissions in a number of ways including:
- Switching off lights when not required for safety, security or enhancement of a night-time scene.
- Installing sensor lights with auto switch off after a period of time.
- Locating the light source as far as possible from neighbours and away from sensitive areas (e.g. bedroom windows).
- Avoiding placing the light near a light reflective surface and using existing features to hide the light source from view.
- Wherever possible, directing light downwards, not upwards, to illuminate the target area. If there is no alternative to up lighting, then using shields and baffles will help keep spill light to a minimum.
- Using specifically designed lighting equipment that, once installed, minimises the spread of light near to, or above the horizontal.
- Reducing the wattage of globes to avoid over lighting an area.
Refer to the Noise page for further information.
To report a pollution issue, please call Customer Service on 9311 8111 or email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au with your contact details and address of the property of concern. Your request will be allocated to an Environmental Health Officer for follow-up.
If you report this after hours you will be transferred to the out-of-hours service where you can leave a message. If there is a Ranger available they will attend. Your complaint will be received by an Environmental Health Officer the next working day.
Other reporting methods
To report major pollution incidents please contact Department of Environment Regulation's 24-hour Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782.
You can report known or suspected contaminated sites through the Department of Environment Regulation by submitting a Form 1.
For reporting pollution in Swan River contact the Department of Parks & Wildlife on 9219 9000 or 0419 192 845 after hours.