LEGAL REQUIREMENTS for the use of concrete cutters and disposal of concrete slurry.

The following Acts, Regulations, standards and codes of practice apply
to concrete placing and finishing contractors and are related to
environmental protection, planning or management:
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO)
and Regulations
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and
Regulations
• Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001
• Local Government Act 1993 and Regulations
• Local Government by-laws.
• Code of Practice – Pumping Concrete, WorkCover, 1994.
Whether deliberate or accidental, it is an offence under section 120
of the POEO Act to cause or permit the pollution of any waters
unless the discharge occurs as a condition of an Environment
Protection Licence. This includes the pollution of any part of a
stormwater system.

The disposal of concrete slurry without proper consideration and preparation could cause severe pollution to waterways, rivers, drainage systems and the wider ecosystem. EPA guidelines throughout Australia are quite clear that precaution must be used when concrete slurry run-off is produced from the cutting of concrete. Drains and access points into the drainage system that often flows into the local ecosystem must be prevented. Operators of concrete cutting saws whether they be contractors, employees or owner operators are liable for any damage and pollution caused in the course of their work. Ignorance of any local bylaws, common law or EPA guidelinesa and regulations is no excuse and where these laws have been violated the operators could and will be prosecuted.  

"The placing, pumping and finishing of
concrete requires compliance with the above Acts, Regulations,
standards and codes. Generally, employers have a duty to ensure that
their activities or the activities of their employees are not having a
detrimental impact on the environment." (NSW EPA)

ENVIRONMENTAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR CONCRETE CONTRACTORS

Fresh concrete and cement-related mortars are toxic to marine life.
Run-off from washing or leaking of equipment or from disposing of
these materials to the street gutters and stormwater drains eventually
finds its way into waterways. Not only does this cause serious
environmental degradation, but also it is against the law and will most
likely result in an on-the-spot fine of $1,500 being issued by the
Appropriate Regulatory Authority (ARA), along with a Clean-up Notice.
The information provided in this section is designed to assist all people
involved in planning for, facilitating and undertaking concreting works
(see section 2). Understanding and following these environmental best
management practices should significantly reduce the likelihood of
pollution from typical day-to-day concreting activities, including:
• equipment wash-down on a building site
• hardstand construction
• concrete, tile and brick cutting
• washing exposed aggregate
• concrete delivery
• concrete pumping. (NSW EPA)