Will the Hawkesbury be a CSG dumping ground

Hawkesbury Environmental Network held a CSG information session in Windsor on 16 February. Jem Hallinan from the Environmental Defenders Office gave a presentation on the legal rights of landholders and Tim Spooner talked about how the Putty community found out about exploration in their area.

 

Tim also told the gathering that drilling fluids and waste water from the Putty core hole and from the wells at Camden are treated at a plant at Windsor. The treated water is sold to brick and tile makers but a company spokesperson said that during heavy rains some of this water flows into South Creek.

 

The Australian Government National Water Commission’s Position Statement on coal seam gas and water in December 2010 says that potential risks include:

• The production of large volumes of treated waste water, if released to surface water systems, could alter natural flow patterns and have significant impacts on water quality, and river and wetland health. There is an associated risk that, if the water is overly treated, ‘clean water’ pollution of naturally turbid systems may occur.

The residue of salt and chemicals left over from the treated water goes into restricted landfill and the sludge is sold as compost.

 

Read More

 

The Putty Gasbag Blog