Contrary to ABC online reports, Origin today confirmed that the quality of treated coal seam gas water consistently meets with drinking water standards and rigorous environmental licence conditions and guidelines.
Consistent monitoring and reporting indicate that releases of treated water from its Talinga facility do not present a risk to health or the environment.
Origin CEO Upstream, Mr Paul Zealand said CSG water is consistently and reliably treated to standards better than Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) to ensure it is safe for release into the Condamine River which is a source of public drinking water.
“ The quality of treated water from the Talinga water treatment facility is rigorously managed and monitored in line with well established guidelines as part of environmental licence conditions which protect health and the environmental values of the river, ” Mr Zealand said.
Recent online reports by the ABC have sought to draw attention to parameters contained in the environmental licence by comparing them to Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC) guidelines for fresh and marine water quality.
“ ANZECC guidelines are intended to apply to the receiving aquatic environment. On this basis, recent downstream monitoring shows Origin has not exceeded ANZECC guidelines ,” Mr Zealand said.
“ It is also important to note that ANZEEC guidelines are not limits and are designed to trigger an environmental management response, such as further investigation .
“ Origin has undertaken detailed aquatic ecology surveys, conducted by qualified third party aquatic ecologists, along the Condamine River. The most recent aquatic survey was undertaken in August this year and showed no evidence that releases of treated water were impacting the receiving aquatic environment. ”
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LNG World News Staff, November 28, 2011; Image: APLNG