Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on December 10, 2014, 10:36:34 PM
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Lake Wallace and upper Cox’s River being contaminated by coal mine discharge
Source: NSWCoFA
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The unusual clarity of water and the presence of dead and deformed fish in Lake Wallace (see example above) has led local anglers to investigate discharges from a colliery in the watershed.
It appears that a colliery has been discharging water with a high pH and conductivity, and arsenic levels that exceed its Environmental Protection Licence into the upper Coxs River.
Previously, the water from the mine was transferred to the river system via usage in Wallerawang Power Station. The water underwent treatment in the power station, including reverse osmosis filtration before the water was released, so its quality was quite satisfactory.
However, the power station has not been operating for some time due to reduced demand for electricity, and so has not accepted the mine water. The mine which produces the water presently allows it to enter the river system untreated, despite the quality of the water representing a breach of its licence.
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