todays australian article

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/coal-gas-water-not-yet-in-the-clear/story-e6frg6nf-1225900802614


Coal-gas water not yet in the clear
Andrew Fraser From: The Australian August 04, 2010 12:00AM PRELIMINARY tests have indicated poison levels in drinking water near a coal extraction plant at Kingaroy are within safety guidelines

But the Queensland government will look at more test results before allowing operations to resume.

The underground coal gasification plant operated by Cougar Energy was closed by the state government four weeks ago after quantities of benzene and toluene were found in waters near the site. A test of bore water from two wells on the Cougar property found minute traces of toluene and benzene, just above detection levels. An examination of water from eight bores on nearby properties found what the government called "a minute trace of toluene, just above detection levels", in just one.

All substances found were well within Australian drinking water guidelines.

The tests also examined the water for metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and nickel, which occur naturally in groundwaters, and found them unchanged since before the Cougar plant opened.


This round of tests was conducted by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Other tests are still being conducted and all results will be reviewed by an independent panel, which will recommend whether the pilot plant should stay open.

The South Burnett Shire Mayor David Carter said he and the community were still waiting for an explanation of how the poisons got into the water, even if it was in very small doses.

"It's pleasing that the results are so low but we want to know how that benzene and toluene got there," he said.

"Frankly, any sign of either of them is unacceptable."

Cougar has had to lay off half its staff and restructure its business as a result of the suspension. The company's shares were suspended from trading on the ASX when the poisons were found, and Cougar was granted an extension yesterday.