Talks on water, power drilling

Kim Waters
Barwon Water and a company planning to tap underground power sources below the region’s borewater supply will have talks amid contamination fears.
But both organisations are confident the geothermal energy project will leave the underground supply of drinking water untainted.
Gherang residents opposing the project believe it presents an “imminent threat” of contamination with dangerous but naturally occurring chemicals.
Ivor Briggs said GreenEarth’s plan to drill 48 wells through the borefield layer into a geothermal aquifer could lead to “irreversible cross-contamination” with arsenic, mercury, lithium and boron.
“The problem is that geothermal plants are still in their infancy and not wholly without error or problems,” Mr Briggs said.
“We’ve been told that when they drill down there are two wells on either side to constantly check whether the water is being contaminated but by that stage it’s already too late.”
Mr Briggs said Barwon Water was spending a “large amount of money” on pumping borewater for Geelong’s drinking supply.
“I don’t think residents are going to be too happy about their tax dollars being spent if the bore field is closed down because of contamination,” he said.
“Water is such a precious commodity and the drilling companies say they take precautions but there is no guarantee.”
Barwon Water strategy and technology general manager Joe Adamski said the authority would have “further discussions” with Greenearth Energy to “flesh out its proposal”.
“Based on information to date, Barwon Water does not expect the proposal to have any impact on the Anglesea borefield,” Mr Adamski said.
A Greenearth Energy spokesperson conceded that geothermal projects had contaminated water “in the past”.
“Hundreds of wells of this type have been drilled in similar environments in Victoria and the drilling procedures and environmental management are quite standard practice,” the spokesperson said.
“Procedures for the prevention of contamination of aquifers either by surface run-off or cross-contamination between aquifers are now extensive and well understood.”
State Government gave Barwon Water approval in 2008 to pump 16 billion litres a year from the borefield.
State Government provided $20 million for the project, while Barwon Water contributed $85 million.