AGL says it will consider the recommendations from a new report exploring the best ways to dispose of water produced through coal seam gas extraction.
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The company said it found the findings from council’s produced water evaluation study, prepared with the assistance of RPS Group, “encouraging”.
While there was no stand-alone method of disposal recommended in the report, a combination of preferred options included irrigation of suitable crops, livestock farming, aquaculture (specifically barramundi and silver perch), silviculture (forestry), water for local mines and irrigation of parks and green areas, such as golf courses.
AGL’s manager of hydrogeology John Ross said the preferred options in the study would be considered further as part of a produced water management strategy, which will be released in coming weeks.
“We found council’s study encouraging as it thoroughly canvassed many beneficial options for the reuse and disposal of produced water from our project,” Mr Ross said.
“It also highlighted that both treated and untreated water opportunities exist for the reuse of the old, slightly salty groundwater that is brought to the surface as part of coal seam gas production.
“Council’s study suggests using a combination of options and our hydrogeology team will carefully review these when developing our water management strategy for Gloucester.”
A public meeting on the progress of council’s water study project will be held today.
Council’s independent peer reviewer Dr Rick Evans will be in attendance along with representatives of RPS and the shire’s water scientist Kate Johnson.
An informal ‘drop in’ session will be held at the council chambers between 2.30pm and 4.30pm with the public meeting commencing at 6.30pm.
