Brunet Entreprise ordered to cease asphalt processing operation
January 28, 2026 10:42 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
Compiled by Anita Roberts.
The Department of Water Resources (DoWR) has ordered Brunet Entreprise Générale to immediately cease its asphalt processing operations being conducted within Zone 3 of the Matnakara Water Protection Zone (MPZ).
The MPZ is established under the Water Resources Management Act to protect groundwater resources supplying drinking water to Port Vila and surrounding communities. However, asphalt processing activities are being carried out without essential environmental and groundwater protection measures, including bunding, spill containment systems, and runoff management.
“These deficiencies create direct pathways for pollutants to infiltrate the underlying aquifer,” said the DoWR.
“Asphalt and bitumen products used at the site contain hazardous substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene, sulfur compounds, and heavy metals. These substances pose serious and long-term risks to soil and groundwater quality and present significant public health concerns.”
Based on these findings, DoWR issued a Stop Work Notice, a Direction Notice mandating relocation of the facility outside the gazetted water protection zone and remediation of any contaminated soil, and a Penalty Notice for breaches of water protection laws.
Both the DoWR and the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DoEPC) confirmed they have not issued any permit to the company.
“Regulatory non-compliance was confirmed, including breaches of Regulation Order No. 117 of 2019, which restricts hazardous-substance activities within gazetted water protection zones, and non-compliance with the Water Resources Management Act No. 9 of 2002, due to the absence of a required Water Works Permit,” DoWR said after a recent multi-compliance inspection.
“These breaches present unacceptable risks to drinking water quality, public health, the environment, and businesses that depend on groundwater extraction.”
The multi-agency compliance inspection was conducted by the Tagabe River Management Committee (TRMC) compliance team following multiple complaints from members of the public and nearby stakeholders about potential environmental pollution from the asphalt processing activities.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reached out to Brunet Entreprise Générale but was told “no comment” as the boss is out of the country.
Meanwhile, the DoWR has warned all businesses and the public that activities involving hazardous substances must not be conducted within the water protection zones.
“Non-compliance with water protection laws is treated as a serious offence, and enforcement action will be taken where breaches are identified,” said the department.
