media release for cat lovers

Just been released by DERM

Kingaroy Underground Coal Gasification testing results
17 July 2010

The Department of Environment and Resource Management has received testing results from 5 of the 8 bores being sampled as a precautionary measure.

DERM Director General John Bradley said the testing results indicate that the presence of hydrocarbons including benzene and toluene had declined from earlier tests.

"In all cases these are below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline standards," Mr Bradley said.

"The maximum level of benzenes detected was 0.7 parts per billion (ppb) compared to an Australian Drinking Water Guideline standard of 1.0 ppb and this was only detected at the Cougar Energy plant site itself.

"Although it is difficult to compare exposures from drinking water to those in air, by comparison, this is less than 10% of the benzene level in the air of a city street and up to six hundred times less than the air at a suburban petrol station.

"The maximum level of toluene detected was 4.3 parts per billion at the Cougar plant itself compared to an Australian Drinking Water Guideline standard of 800 parts per billion. Toluene test results at neighbouring bores were at the limit of detection.

Aside from the Cougar site results, the highest reading from any landholder bores to date has been 3 parts per billion for toluene on 16 June which is over 200 times below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline standard.

"Queensland Health has advised that at these levels in the groundwater no adverse health effects would be expected.

"These are welcome results and we look forward to assessing the remaining bore samples as soon as possible.

"Nevertheless we will continue frequent monitoring at these sites in the coming weeks and report results publicly."

"We will also continue with the Enviromental Evaluation and review by the Scientific Panel, and if there is any doubt by the Government, these underground coal gasification projects will not be permitted to resume or continue operations," Mr Bradley said.

Tests were undertaken using dual sampling techniques to provide confirmation of results and remaining sample results are expected to be available by Monday.

For further information contact Department of Environment and Resource Management Media Services Ph: (07) 3224 7792 or email [email protected]