#NoCSG activists accuse AGL contractor of releasing wastewater into Sydney’s sewer system at lock on protest today
Wednesday 2nd March 2016
On Wednesday members of the Knitting Nannas Against AGL, CSG Free Western Sydney, Stop CSG Sydney, Stop CSG Penrith, Stop CSG Camden, Stop CSG Blue Mountains, Stop CSG Hawkesbury and the Greens held a community protest and blockaded Transpacific Waste Water Trucks from entering their premises.
The community decided to take direct action to stop Transpacific accepting wastewater from AGL's coal seam gas operations in Camden.
The community groups came together today due to concern regarding Transpacific's handling of AGLs Coal seam gas waste water. This toxic water is usually treated by reverse osmosis – A process that is not able to completely remove all toxic chemicals. Transpacific uses a filtration system which is even less effective at removing toxic mining chemicals. To make matters worse Transpacific is releasing AGLs waste water end product into our sewer system. This puts our water ways at risk. It is well known that contaminants in waterways can last for over 50 years and travel in ground water movement for over 10km (Dr Marion Carey of Doctors for the Environment Australia)
94 year old war veteran, Bill Ryan, who locked onto one of Transpacific's trucks today said;
"This is a huge concern to the community, we want to know which sewer Transpacific is using to release AGLs end product waste water. The community is entitled to know where this toxic mining water is being released".
Transpacific is also releasing AGLs end product sludge residue into landfill. This is a huge concern as processed fracking sludge contains radioactive elements. Community groups fear this leaves our communities with a radioactive legacy.
Suzie Gold spokesperson for Knitting Nannas Against AGL said;
"Western Sydney should not be a dumping ground for these dangerous chemicals. It’s clear that Transpacific has no way to completely eliminate them before dumping the end products into our landfills and sewer. Our communities have a right to know which landfill Transpacific is using to release AGLs end product sludge residue".
Suzie Wright from the Greens said;
"Communities right across NSW have made it clear we do not want to see coal seam gas wells or waste near our homes or water catchments. AGL and Transpacific need to stop participating in this industry if they want to see an end to further community protests".
Transpacific's contract to accept this waste water has allowed AGL to frack with the health of Camden families for way to long. Families living within the Camden Gas project are suffering health effects such as chronic headaches, chronic bloody noses – that spurt from the nose like an artery, hair loss, irritation of the eyes, and hay fever like symptoms. Transpacific need to stop being a party to this dirty industry
Melinda Wilson spokesperson for CSG Free Western Sydney, who locked onto one of Transpacific's Trucks today said;
"Western Sydney residents do not want AGLs toxic legacy in our communities. We demanded that Transpacific (Cleanaway) stop taking AGL's toxic water and encourage AGL to move towards an early closure of the Camden Gas Project."
Transpacific state they have no idea what is in the wastewater they receive from AGL. Melissa from Transpacific recently stated that she could not divulge if the waste water was toxic due to confidentiality agreements. The fact a confidentiality agreement is needed sends off alarm bells for our community.
Stop Press:
AGL responded quickly with some fanciful assertions on their may derated YourSayAGL site http://yoursayagl.com.au/produced-water-from-the-camden-gas-project/
Our #StopAGL legend responded with ….
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