[Greens-Media] Power station chemical spill is warning for Sydney water supply

[John Kaye]

Power station chemical spill is warning for Sydney water supply
 
Media Release: 9 April 2008
 
Reports of a spill from a 10,000 litre container of sulphuric acid at Wallerawang power station near Lithgow highlight the risk of placing coal-fired electricity generation in Sydney's water catchment, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Delta Electricity claims that only a small quality was spilt but it was enough to cause the evacuation of 16 workers.
 
"Both Wallerawang and Mt Piper power stations sit on the Cox's River which feeds directly into Sydney's drinking water storage at Warragamba. 
 
"These generators use massive quantities of chemicals each year, including 35 tonnes of ammonia, 140 tonnes of chlorine, 1,600 tonnes of sulphuric acid, 1,400 tonnes of caustic soda, 50 tonnes of ferric chloride and 10 truckloads of carbohydrazide.
 
"A larger spill which escaped from the power station would not only devastate the local river and stream environments but would flow directly into Sydney's water supply.
 
"Yesterday's accident serves as a wake up call.
 
"Placing massive coal-fired power stations in the drinking water catchment is inviting trouble.
 
"Suggestions of doubling the capacity of Mt Piper by building two new units should be abandoned immediately. 
 
"Not only would more coal generators in the Lithgow region massively add to this state's greenhouse gas emissions but it would devastate the local rivers and streams and  add to the risks to Sydney's water supplies.
 
"The Greens will be calling on Energy Minister Ian Macdonald to release a full report into the acid spill event at Wallerawang when parliament sits today.
 
"We have already been questioning the Minister about the impacts of on going discharges into the Cox's River from these power stations.
 
"The people of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra will want to know how dangerous chemicals are being handled in their water catchment," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000