Alcoa river ‘link’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
ALCOA is responsible for a spate of fish deaths in Anglesea River, according to a Geelong scientist.
Frank Parsons said he included his explosive evidence in a submission to a Department of Sustainability and Environment independent review of the river’s water quality.
Mr Parsons, who has a Certificate in Applied Chemistry and a Diploma of Applied Science, said he conducted seven months of research including taking 150 water samples and analysing 46 elements and acidity.
“I’ve caught Alcoa’s Anglesea power station in a case of monstrous dumping of processed water high in boron,” Mr Parsons said.
“Alcoa was discharging wetted, dissolved fly ash containing boron at 10 times higher than normal – in effect the fish suffocated by ingesting the resultant flock.”
Mr Parsons said he took samples at Salt and Marshy creeks, at Alcoa’s power station outlet and downstream in the river.
“The samples clearly indicated the toxic substances being poured down the Anglesea River – 90 per cent of the water comes from the Alcoa plant except in significant rain events,” Mr Parsons said.
Mr Parsons said Alcoa’s Environment Protection Authority licence for the power station had “TBA” listed for its boron limit.
Alcoa’s Brenda Foran defended the company’s operations at Anglesea.
“The company remains confident of its continuing safe operations for the environment and the community and looks forward to the findings of the independent review.”
Mr Foran said Alcoa strongly refuted Mr Parson’s allegations.
“We haven’t seen any evidence as yet so we have nothing to respond to. Alcoa will respond once we have the evidence.
“We hope his methodologies, testing and qualifications are investigated as well.”