Drinking Water Supplies Contaminated Across Tasmania, Launceston Catchment Badly Affected
www.tas.greens.org.au
Mr Morris will be available for comment or interview by request today.
The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated their call on the Bartlett Government for a complete ban on Triazine herbicides in Tasmania after revealing that there have been at least 139 positive contamination test results for Triazines in Tasmanian rivers in recent years, with 13 of these positive contamination results coming directly from water treatment plants supplying Hobart and Launceston.
Launceston is suffering particularly badly, with eight positive contamination results detected in its drinking water treatment plants, and shockingly 48 other positive results in rivers and creeks that feed into the city’s drinking water supplies.
Greens Water spokesperson Tim MP said that a regional breakdown reveals that there have been ninety-six positive Triazine contamination results in northern Tasmania, thirty five in the South, and eight in the North West;
North: six in the Brid River, thirty-four in the Rubicon River, fifteen in the South-Esk River, twenty-six in the Macquarie River, two in the Liffey River, three in the Meander, one each in Western Creek and Brumbys Creek, and eight at Esk Water treatment plants. The Macquarie, South-Esk, Liffey and Meander Rivers, as well as Brumbys and Western Creek, all supply water into Launceston’s drinking water supply.
South: six in the Coal River, twenty-one in the Prosser River and tributaries, one in the Jordan River, two in the upper River Derwent, and five at Hobart Water treatment plant at Bryn Estyn. The Derwent supplies water into Hobart, while the Prosser River supplies drinking water to Orford and Triabunna
North-West: six in the Duck River, one in the Montague River and one in the Inglis River. It is unknown if North-West town water supplies were contaminated by these results.
“Tasmanian rivers and drinking water supplies are being contaminated regularly with Triazine herbicides, and it is time to say that enough is enough, and to ban these toxic chemicals from use in our state,” said Mr Morris.
“One hundred and thirty nine positive contamination test results, with 77 coming from waterways that feed drinking water supplies, is a shocking indictment on the failure of the State Labor Government to properly regulate the use of Triazines, and a ban is now the only way we can be sure that these toxic chemicals are not getting into our rivers and drinking water supplies on a regular basis.”
“Launceston is suffering particularly badly, with eight positive contamination results detected in its drinking water treatment plants, and shocking 48 other positive results in rivers and creeks that feed into Launceston’s drinking water catchment.”
“Whilst the Greens wish to end all chemical contamination of our rivers, the Triazines – including Atrazine and Simazine – are the worst of the herbicides and given that there are plenty of alternatives available for killing grasses, they can and should be banned for use in Tasmania to protect our health, and our brand.”
Mr Morris said that the Greens will be bringing on their Bill to ban Triazine herbicides during parliamentary Private Members Time this Wednesday, 28 October 2009, and are calling on the Bartlett Government and Liberal Opposition to acknowledge the immense scale of contamination that is occurring in Tasmania, and to support the move to ban these chemicals from further use in this state.
Tim Morris MP Greens Water Spokesperson
