BSA is committed to working with government and industry to achieve a coal seam gas industry that has minimal environmental, economic and social impacts and preserves groundwater resources for future generations.
Groundwater Impacts
- Unlimited water extraction – no restrictions - The Coal Seam Gas industry is predicted to extract up to 350,000 ML of groundwater per year – that’s equal to about two-thirds of Sydney Harbour or the size of Somerset Dam! And yet, there are no laws preventing an unlimited take of this water. CSG companies are exempt from complying with the Great Artesian Basin Resource Operations Plan. BSA views this as unacceptable and irresponsible.
- Risk of inter-aquifer transfer and concerns about poor drilling operations and supervision with up to 40,000 wells within the Surat Basin region alone. Impacts on Groundwater Quality are a serious concern to water users. The Walloon Coal Measures usually contain a much poorer quality water than the underlying and overlying aquifers. Any cross-contamination could result in deterioration of water quality – making it unusable for human consumption, town water supplies and agriculture.
- Claims by CSG companies that the Coal Walloon Measure is not a GAB aquifer – when the official Government scoping study states that it is.
- There is limited baseline data against which to measure aquifer drawdown – While CSG companies are meant to be monitoring groundwater impacts, these reports are not independent nor are they publicly available. Additionally, there is no independent body currently monitoring groundwater quality.
- Impact on allocated aquifers – BSA has concerns that the water from aquifers that lie above and below will be drawn down (drain into coal seams) as water is extracted from Coal Walloon Measure. There is little to no research on the long term impacts.