The water scientist, Dr Ian Wright, who initially alerted the Environmental Protection Authority to the pollution of Wollangambe River, said the “demanding” new EPA licence for the Clarence Colliery could make Lithgow a, “champion for sustainability.”
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“I think this is a great outcome for two reasons. The first is that it will rejuvenate the river. The second is that it provides security for Clarence Colliery and the jobs there,” Dr Wright said.
The Western Sydney University scientist began testing the water quality of the World Heritage protected Wollangambe River with PhD students five years ago.
“It’s tough to get down to. But it’s stunningly beautiful,” Dr Wright said.
Dr Wright found what he describes as “some of the worst pollution from a coal mine in the world.”
“In Lithgow there are coal mines plonked in the middle of paradise. That’s why the pollution really stood out, like a beacon.”
The Clarence Colliery, owned by Centennial Coal, empties waste water into the river.
Dr Wright’s research found that discharge from the coal mine had polluted the river 22 km downstream.
Increased concentrations of nickel and zinc, as well as high salinity levels, had greatly reduced aquatic life.
Dr Wright shared his findings with the EPA, which triggered a year-long independent investigation into the mine’s pollution.
“The mine was approved in 1976,” said Dr Wright.
“It was a very different world in 1976. I don’t think people were aware of all water pollution problems, including the EPA.”
Clarence Colliery had been subject to an Environmental Protection Licence that made monthly water quality testing obligatory. However, the licence did not include nickel or salinity testing and no water tests were carried out on the river itself.
“We were using an old classification system that attempted to classify all the waters in New South Wales,” said EPA Regional Director for South and West, Gary Whytcross.
“Nature doesn’t work like that. We know now its about spending the time to do thorough research.”
The EPA announced a new licence for the colliery on Friday, March 17, that includes a Pollution Reduction Program.
“The licence imposes really quite demanding requirements. The mine has to achieve those limits in 13 weeks,” said Dr Wright.
The new restrictions on metal concentration will require the mine to either remove the waste water, treat the water more thoroughly or do a mix of both.
“The EPA is requiring them to test the river, so they will be looking at the sensitivity of the environment not just the waste. If they can achieve this pollution reduction, that's great for the sustainability of coal mining.
“I congratulate the EPA and Centennial,” Dr Wright said.
“There is this supposed conflict between job security and a clean environment. There can be a happy medium, and maybe this is it.
“If they can pull this off they will be world leaders.”
