Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction program


  

Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction programs

Summary
 
Licence number: 767
Title: PRP21: Discharges from LDP7 - Improved Water Management System Report
Start date: 03 Jun 2024
 
Licence Condition
Discharges from LDP7 - Improved Water Management System Report Aim The aim of this condition is to identify improvements to the premises water management systems to contribute to achieving the following water quality targets in Camp Gully Creek. Toxicants •ANZG default guideline values for water quality that meet 99 percentile species level protection. Physical and Chemical Stressors •pH 7.3 – 7.7 •Electrical conductivity (specific conductance) 270 µs/cm. •Turbidity 3 NTU •Total alkalinity 50 mg/L •Total nitrogen 450 µg/L •Total phosphorus 30 µg/L Note:  The ANZG “high conservation value” level of protection applies to Camp Gully Creek because it flows into Garrawarra State Conservation Area and Royal National Park immediately downstream of the premises. This is consistent with the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG, 2018) and the approach adopted by the licensee's Discharge Impact Assessment report. The criteria for Physical and Chemical Stressors are the estimated 80th percentile values measured at a site in Camp Gully Creek upstream of the premises (for pH, 20% and 80% values are given). This method for determining guideline values for stressors is recommended in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2018 (ANZG).  The Licensee may continue to monitor the upstream reference site to refine these site-specific guideline values.  However approval must be sought from the EPA to modify the values for use in the condition below. Requirements 1.  By 5pm, 1 July 2024, the Licensee must propose a suitably qualified consultant or company, with experience in coal mine water management and treatment to the EPA for approval to engage the proposed consultant or company to complete the report listed below. Note: The EPA will take consideration of any recommendations made by the expert consultant on the scope of requirements and timing for delivery of reports under this condition.         Complete (DOC24/542126-2). 2.  By 5pm, 30 September 2024, the Licensee must install additional continuous monitor/s to record: a.  water quality and discharges from LDP 7 along Camp Gully Creek in respect of physical and chemical stressors (immediately downstream of LDP 7): and b.  the flow in Camp Gully Creek downstream of LDP 7:  The objective of this requirement is to account for the LDP 7 discharges, and upstream and downstream locations, to the extent reasonably possible. 3.  By 5pm, 30 September 2024, the Licensee must make the results of the additional continuous monitoring available and accessible to the EPA.  Note: These results should be used by the licensee, and will be used by the EPA, to monitor discharges from LDP 7 to Camp Gully creek as well as assess the effectiveness of water management improvements. Monitoring requirements may be varied if considered appropriate by the EPA. 4.  By 5pm, 28 February 2025, the approved consultant or company must submit an Improved Water Management System Report (Report 1) to the EPA which contains a Water Management and Treatment Options Assessment and a Potential Water Management System to achieve the above aim. 5.  The Water Management and Treatment Options Assessment section of Report 1 must include, at minimum:  a.  An assessment of reasonable and feasible options available to:  i.  Increase water storage capacity and retain water on the premises to avoid or minimise LDP 7 discharges; ii.  Improve water management to prevent discharges during periods of low flow in Camp Gully Creek; iii.  Install water treatment system/s or other practical measures to improve the quality of discharges; b.  The assessment of each option must contain the following information.  The level of detail to be provided must be sufficient to allow comparison of options at a strategic level. i.  A description of the option. ii.  For options to avoid and minimise discharges, sub-daily time step water balance model to assess effectiveness. iii.  An assessment of the water quality outcomes for Camp Gully Creek and the Hacking River.  This assessment should predict the concentrations of key pollutants of concern at sites in Camp Gully Creek and the Hacking River under a range of operational and creek flow conditions from typical through to worst case. This should include sites in Camp Gully Creek immediately upstream and downstream of LDP7, sites at the current continuous monitoring sites, and sites in the Hacking River immediately upstream and downstream of the confluence with Camp Gully Creek. iv.  Indicative and relative costs, and indicative timeframes. v.  The level of technical expertise needed for operation and maintenance. vi.  The ease of adaptation into existing processes. vii.  Other environmental considerations, including noise impacts, air emissions, electricity use, and waste generation and disposal. viii.  Examples of application in relevant industrial settings. c.  The overall effectiveness of the options set out in a. when implemented together as a combined system. 6.  The Potential Water Management System section of Report 1 must detail possible improvements to the Water Management System that could be implemented identifying (and justifying) the most suitable option or suite of preferred options.  Note: The EPA proposes to consider issuing further requirements to implement improvements to the water management system with consideration of Report 1 and any other relevant information.