The contractor overseeing construction of the federal government’s Snowy Hydro 2.0 expansion has come under scrutiny after multiple sewage spills at its Marica camp, prompting an inquiry by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The incidents, which occurred in March and April, involved the release of sewage-contaminated water into the environment without proper remediation, raising concerns over environmental compliance and workplace safety.

According to sources close to the project, large volumes of sewage spilled from camp facilities and were not treated according to environmental protocols. Instead of excavating and safely disposing of contaminated soil, the contractor reportedly used water trucks to rinse the affected areas, an approach allegedly contrary to the advice of the company’s environmental officers. Workers at the camp were reportedly forced to navigate areas where raw effluent residue remained, increasing the risk of contamination in residential zones.

The exact volume of sewage discharged is disputed. Snowy Hydro’s official incident report quantifies the March spill at approximately 500 litres, with a smaller amount noted for the April event. However, independent sources suggest the actual volumes were significantly higher. The discrepancy has fueled debate over whether these spills merited formal reporting to regulators and whether they should have necessitated a temporary shutdown of the camp for thorough cleaning.

The NSW EPA only became aware of these incidents after being contacted by media sources. Snowy Hydro, which holds the environmental licenses for the project, is responsible for notifying regulators of any breaches. It is understood that the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which manages the ecologically sensitive area surrounding Snowy Hydro 2.0’s work site, was not alerted to the spills.

Concerns about the management of the spills are linked to broader critiques of the project’s safety culture. Justine McCarthy, state director of Professionals Australia NSW, representing white-collar workers on Snowy Hydro 2.0, described an environment marked by poor safety standards and a culture of retribution. She said union members expressed fears for workplace safety and hesitated to raise issues with senior management, citing fears of being targeted for speaking out. McCarthy suggested these dynamics contribute to underreporting and cover-ups of safety and environmental incidents.

Leaked footage obtained of the March spill reportedly shows raw sewage streaming down a road from the camp and pooling in nearby water bodies, as well as effluent settling in heavily trafficked camp areas. This visual evidence aligns with workers’ accounts of systemic downplaying of environmental and safety concerns.

Snowy Hydro 2.0, Australia’s largest renewable energy development, has already faced significant construction delays and multi-billion dollar cost overruns. The recent revelations over sewage management add to the challenges confronting the project as it seeks to meet environmental and safety obligations in a sensitive natural setting. The EPA’s ongoing investigation will determine whether regulatory breaches occurred and if further enforcement action is warranted.