Binary remediation update - 16 April 2007
Weekly update
Monday 16 April to Friday 20 April 2007
To keep local residents, businesses, media and other interested parties fully informed of the remediation of the Narangba Industrial Estate, the department is publishing a weekly update.
The current soil remediation activities are part of the department's ongoing cleanup and remediation works on State and local government-owned land adjacent to the Binary factory site.
A summary of progress and site conditions between Monday 16 April 2007 and Friday 20 April 2007 is provided below:
- Remediation of the two remaining containment ponds continued this week. A total of (approximately) 2000 tonnes of soil was transported to the landfill for bioremediation;
- Soil samples were taken from Pond 2 to validate contaminant levels;
- The remediation site did not receive any rainfall this week;
- The department continues to treat contaminated stormwater collected on the site using the specially constructed treatment pond on the project site. The treated water is being discharged to the Caboolture Shire Council sewer at a rate of 100,000 litres a day, for final treatment through the existing sewerage treatment facility;
- Caboolture Shire Council reinstated the stormwater drainage system around the Binary site.
The department has been supervising all works conducted on the department project site.
Anyone with concerns about odour, soil or water contamination from the Narangba Industrial Estate is advised to contact the department hotline on 1300 130 372.
Removal of Zelam Pty Ltd water from Pond 1
The department expects the remaining fire water being stored by Zelam Pty Ltd in a containment pond on the Binary remediation site at the Narangba Industrial Estate to be removed within the next two weeks.
Zelam signed a trade waste agreement with Caboolture Shire Council in March and began discharging the water to sewer. This interim measure has been effective in maintaining the available freeboard in the containment pond and preventing any overflow into the adjacent Saltwater Creek tributary during recent rain events.
Results of analysis from the department sampling of the Zelam fire water undertaken in mid February demonstrated significant degradation of contaminants in the water. The water is of an appropriate quality for reuse by industry and civil contractors for dust suppression.
Zelam has shown a commitment to seeking beneficial reuses of the fire water and since March, industries on the Narangba Industrial Estate have been taking small quantities of the firewater for use in their production processes.
An agreement was reached this week between Zelam and Trackstar Alliance for use of the fire water as dust suppression during the construction activities associated with the Caboolture to Beerburrum Rail Upgrade Project.
The department understands that Zelam has been contacted by other parties also interested in using the water for dust suppression purposes.
The department supports and is overseeing these projects to ensure all parties involved meet their general environmental duty for removing, transporting, storing and using the water.
Last updated: 28 November 2007