Cadia - the tank test results are in
The tests are done! The EPA has finished its testing of rainwater tanks and soils in the community around the Newmont (formerly Newcrest) gold mine at Cadia in Central West NSW.
They show how important it is to properly clean and maintain rainwater tanks and distribution systems.
People who live near the mine had reported elevated levels of heavy metals in their blood and drinking water.
After a lot of testing, the EPA found that no soil samples had levels of metals above the relevant national health-based guidelines. Metal concentrations were like those seen before the mine began operating.
The EPA also tested drinking water (at kitchen tap) and water tank water and sediment at many properties up to 50 kilometres from the site.
Ninety-three of the ninety-seven samples from the kitchen tap had levels of metals below the health-based Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The other four kitchen tap samples and a further fourteen tank samples were at or above these guideline values. There are no relevant guideline values comparable to the sediment samples.
The EPA’s report says these levels are typical of those found in water and sediments in Australian rainwater tanks. “Many or all of the exceedances found are from domestic and local sources of contamination such as roofing, plumbing and other atmospheric fallout such as that from aircraft emissions, industrial and roadside dust”, the report says.
To maintain good quality water at the kitchen tap, tanks and tank water distribution systems need to be maintained according to guidance provided by NSW Health.
The EPA has launched prosecutions in the NSW Land and Environment Court against Cadia Holdings Pty Ltd for alleged air pollution and solid particle exceedances from the Cadia gold mine.