From that link .... "The local residents action group has now written to the Premier Barry O'Farrell, detailing new concerns over risks to the nearby Tomago aquifer, partly used for Newcastle's drinking water supply.
The Office of Water report confirms the aquifer is at high risk of saline contamination if its water levels are further reduced".
That could well be true but the residents group should understand that this has little to do with CSG extraction. The aquifer is at risk if more water is taken out of it. And who takes water from the aquifer?
Not Dart - and they aren't proposing to tap the Tomago aquifer. Dart want to drill through it to access the coal seams much lower down. Their drill casings will be sealed (as is standard procedure) and they would dewater the coal seam which is separated from the Tomago aquifer by lots of impervious rock.
If they are concerned about the Tomago aquifer the residents group need to look at the real threats to it and convince Newcastle to reduce the amount they draw down for drinking water.
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