more good news - testing good

Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)

Media release

Kingaroy Underground Coal Gasification bore test results consistent

Benzene and toluene levels in the latest water samples taken from bores in the vicinity of Cougar Energys underground coal gasification trial plant at Kingaroy are consistent with previous test results and well within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).

The samples were collected by departmental officers on Tuesday and Wednesday from the same eight priority bores tested late last week as well as two additional nearby bores.

Department of Environment and Resource Management Director General John Bradley said the latest results were similar to the last test results.

Consistent with previous results, the independent laboratory tests show that benzene was detected at the Cougar Energy plant at a level that was within Australian Drinking Water Guideline, and was not detected at any of the bores outside from the plant, Mr Bradley said.

Toluene was detected at one bore within the plant at very low levels of two parts per billion, which is well within the ADWG of 800ppb. There was a reading of 0.2ppb just above detection levels - at one bore outside the plant. Toluene could not be detected at the other eight bores.

Departmental officers will continue to carry out regular tests on these bores.

Whilst the most recent sampling does not identify unsafe levels of benzene and toluene, DERM and Queensland Health will continue to analyse and review the results prior to altering the current advice not to use water from bores from inside the 2km exclusion zone for human consumption or stock watering.

DERM will continue to work with South Burnett Regional Council to advise the community of sampling and testing results and any changes in access to bores, Mr Bradley said.


ENDS

Date: 24 July 2010

For further information contact Department of Environment and Resource Management Media Services Ph: (07) 3224 7792 / 0423 020 746 or email [email protected]