Coal seam gas recycled water
Amendments to the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 in December 2010 established purpose-built, rigorous requirements for coal seam gas (CSG) water. The purpose of the amendments is to protect public health where CSG water may have an impact on an urban community’s drinking water supply source.
Recycled water providers producing and supplying CSG water are required to have a recycled water management plan (RWMP) or an exclusion decision approved by the regulator unless covered by transitional arrangements.
Application forms relating to the submission of applications for exclusion decisions, interim RWMPs and RWMPs have been developed. For more information on CSG water contact the Queensland Water Supply Regulator on (07) 3247 4487.
Recycling is not the only use for CSG water. To find out more visit the department’s CSG water webpage.
RWMPs for CSG recycled water schemes
RWMPs for CSG recycled water schemes include the same components as other schemes producing and supplying recycled water. However some CSG recycled water schemes will require additional components for the scheme’s RWMP, such as:
- a demonstration on how any risks associated with variations in the quality of the source water will be managed
- the pre-supply water quality data for the scheme.
Interim RWMPs
CSG recycled water schemes that indirectly augment an urban community’s drinking water supply source may apply for approval of an interim RWMP. An interim RWMP has fewer components than an RWMP. An approval for an interim RWMP provides the CSG recycled water scheme with 12 months in which to obtain an approval for an RWMP.
Exclusion decision
A recycled water provider for a CSG recycled water scheme can apply for exclusion from the requirement to have an approved RWMP. The regulator must be satisfied that the CSG recycled water will not have a material impact on an urban community’s drinking water supply source before making an exclusion decision.
Further information
The consultation draft of the Coal Seam Gas Recycled Water Management Plan and Validation Guideline Including Exclusion Decision Application Guideline (PDF)* outlines the proposed content and criteria for the development of an exclusion decision, interim Coal Seam Gas RWMP and Full Coal Seam Gas RWMP. Further information can be found at the CSG Recycled Water Management Plan website.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 9 January 2013
