Queensland Cracking Down On CSG Waste Water
Posted by Big Gav in coal seam gas, queensland
The ABC has a report on new restrictions being placed on waste water from coal seam gas operations in Queensland - Govt to crack down on mine water disposal.
The Queensland Government has announced plans to boost environmental protections and potentially help secure water supplies for communities in the Surat and Bowen basins. Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says Cabinet has endorsed a proposal to strengthen disposal requirements for water generated when mining companies extract gas from underground coal seams.
He has told Parliament the policy will discourage mining companies from using ponds for evaporation. "Ponds will only be approved if they are required as a part of a water treatment facility," Mr Lucas said. "And if they are used, ponds must be lined to prevent soil contamination from salt and minerals.
"I'm a firm believer that using modern technology such as reverse osmosis treatment plants to clean the CSG [coal seam gas] water will allow for more environmentally friendly disposal and provide a valuable new source of water."
He says unless producers are using the CSG water, they'll have to treat it to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency before disposing it or supplying it to others.
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