[Greens-Media] Power stations and water supply are a dangerous mix

[John Kaye]

Power stations and water supply are a dangerous mix
 
Media release: 2 December 2008
 
The NSW government must tighten the licensing requirements of Delta Electricity's power stations on the Coxs River to protect Sydney's drinking water, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Commenting on the release of a two year study by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society ('River 'killed' by pollution feeds city water supply,' Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5), Dr Kaye said: "Massive quantities of salt, acid and heavy metals are damaging the Coxs River that feeds directly into Sydney's largest water storage, Warragamba.
 
"Oxygen concentrations have fallen to disastrous levels, while the river is rapidly acidifying. The Coxs is in a state of collapse.
 
"Not only is the water flowing into Warragamba contaminated but the river will lose its capacity to act as a carrier of fresh drinking water.
 
"The NSW government has been aware of these problems since at least October of last year when The Greens raised them with the Minister for Environment and Climate Change in questions on notice.
 
"Minister Tebbutt continues to hide behind the licensing conditions, ignoring the deteriorating condition of the Coxs and the long term consequences for the Sydney's drinking water supply.
 
"Delta Electricity's Wallerawang Power station persists in pouring out sulphates, acids, heavy metals and other river-destroying pollutants at levels that cannot be sustained by the environment.
 
"The political power of Delta Electricity with the Iemma and Rees governments has condemned the local community to stand by and watch the Coxs River deteriorate as it is increasingly treated as a dumping ground.
 
"It is clear that the licensing requirements are not strict enough to protect the river and Sydney's water supply.
 
"It is time for the Rees government to act in the public interest, tighten the requirements and make Delta act responsibly," 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