Fitzroy water quality report released
Ensham Coal Mine, 40km east of Emerald, was one of the most severely affected of those mines, being subject to rainfall and flooding that trapped a dragline and resulted in an estimated 150,000 megalitres (ML) of floodwater being collected in the mine. The EPA authorised the mine to discharge flood waters entrapped in this mine to the Nogoa River, which ultimately flows into the Fitzroy River, under strict conditions which were based on guideline values from the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) and were designed to protect the downstream environmental values of the river – including the use of the water for agricultural and domestic purposes. In the months that this work has been undertaken, water in the river has been monitored to assess any potential impacts.
The Premier appointed Prof. Barry Hart on October 14 to provide independent advice on risks to human health, aquatic ecology, agriculture and industry that could result from the mine-affected floodwaters discharged from the Ensham mine, and how these should be managed. Prof. Hart' s report on these and other related matters can be found on the Fitzroy River website.
Last reviewed 8 March 2011
Last updated 14 July 2010