Urban use Beneficial use for local Treatment required. Suitable depending on proximity Proposed. For example, Chinchilla communities to coal seam gas production Weir and Dalby TWS. (town supply) Limited longevity of supply (20 areas and economics. years) may offset economic viability of investment. Surface waters Provides increased flows Potential erosion of banks. Limited due to sensitive nature In use. For example, the Fairview for waterways suffering of surface water systems. operation in the Bowen Basin (RPS Difficult to to natural flow depleting water flows 2011; URS 2009a). rates. Historical approvals have allowed a May contaminate soil, water constant discharge to water course and ecology if not treated courses. More recent assessments to an appropriate level. have considered a variable discharge, in order to maintain natural flow variability. Ocean outfall Almost unlimited capacity to Poor quality water could Suitable depending on proximity consideration as an receive water (depending contaminate the marine to coastline and economics. emergency or alternative disposal on the quality) ecosystem. option. Evaluation of this method of Dependent on quality. disposal is currently very limited. of treating water may make option unviable. Transportation costs may be large. No beneficial use.
Urban use (town supply) Beneficial use for local communities Treatment required. Limited longevity of supply (20 years) may offset economic viability of investment. Suitable depending on proximity to coal seam gas production areas and economics. Proposed. For example, Chinchilla Weir and Dalby TWS. Surface waters Provides increased flows for waterways suffering depleting water flows Potential erosion of banks. Difficult to to natural flow rates. May contaminate soil, water course and ecology if not treated to an appropriate level. Limited due to sensitive nature of surface water systems. In use. For example, the Fairview operation in the Bowen Basin (RPS 2011; URS 2009a). Historical approvals have allowed a constant discharge to water courses. More recent assessments have considered a variable discharge, in order to maintain natural flow variability. Ocean outfall Almost unlimited capacity to receive water (depending on the quality) Poor quality water could contaminate the marine ecosystem. of treating water may make option unviable. Transportation costs may be large. No beneficial use. Suitable depending on proximity to coastline and economics. Dependent on quality. consideration as an emergency or alternative disposal option. Evaluation of this method of disposal is currently very limited.
background-review-co-produced-water.docx