Fracking wastewater could be stored out in open

The NT Government has been accused of breaking its promise to implement fracking recommendations by allowing polluted wastewater to be stored in open tanks.

Jimmy Cocking. Picture: JEFF TAN

The NT Government has been accused of breaking its promise to implement fracking recommendations by allowing polluted wastewater to be stored in open tanks.

The admission was made last week in an NT Government estimates hearing where Chris Shaw, the executive director for Onshore Gas Reform, said there are exceptions to wastewater being stored in enclosed tanks.

“The code is now much more specific saying that water must be stored in enclosed tanks. However, on the flip side, particularly at early exploration scale of the industry, there are not a lot of waste water management solutions available locally….” he said.

Fracking is the process of drilling into the ground to extract gas and several sites in the Territory will soon be explored raising environmental concerns, particularly around water pollution.

“Water comes out, goes into the enclosed tanks and then can be evaporated but while it is being evaporated, we have a range of other controls in relation to potential rainfall events and in particular flora and fauna, and the biggest concern … birds,” Mr Shaw said.

The news has been met with disappointment by Jimmy Cocking who is the CEO of the Alice Springs based Arid Lands Environment Centre.

“The recommendations were clear that flow back water used in fracking must be stored in enclosed tanks. The new Codes of Practice exempts water being treated for reuse or disposal,” he said.

“This exemption muddies the water and is the first broken promise in the implementation of the fracking inquiry recommendations.”

The NT Government claimed it revised its code of practice in response to public submissions.

Minister for primary industry and resources Paul Kirby said the code mandates enforceable standards on wastewater management.

“We expect to see exploration this dry season — so long as the companies have met all the requirements that they need to meet,” he said.