Prior to collecting foam samples, grab samples were taken to determine if toxic concentrations of contaminants were present.
There appears to be no acknowledgement of the grab samples from George River or Moulting Bay that were found to be toxic to test organisms (oysters, sea urchins and cladocerans).
These samples initiated the investigation to begin with and grab samples tested on human cell lines by Fiona Young initiated the use of activated carbon in the drinking water supply.
No man made chemicals were identified in toxic grab samples.
The skimmer box method concentrates the foam to make chemical identification easier.
At no stage did we find chemical evidence of man made chemicals in this concentrated foam. The only chemicals identified had a matching chemical signature with the leaves.
Our work was repeated by NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, NZ) who came to the same conclusion.
INDEPENDENT WATER QUALITY COMMISSIONER NEEDED
As George River Water Quality Report Recommends Improved and Co-ordinated Catchment Management
Tim Morris MP
Greens Water spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today, in an initial response to the George River Water Quality Panel Report said that the Report demonstrates the need for an independent State Water Quality Commissioner, a State Policy on Water Quality, and Chemical Trespass legislation.
Greens Water spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that the Report raises serious concerns that chemicals are not being used in an environmentally responsible manner, and identifies the need for greater public transparency regarding chemical usage, as well as one entity responsible for catchment management.
Mr Morris also said it was disturbing that it was just accepted that pesticides were in the St Helens water catchment, with the Report relying on the argument that apparently the levels are not harmful to humans.
“The Greens and the community have been raising for years the very concerns regarding lack of transparency and available information about catchment activities and chemical usage that this Report identifies,” Mr Morris said.
“The most effective way to provide the improved and co-ordinated catchment management as recommended by the Panel is to establish an independent Office of the State Water Quality Commissioner, which prioritises the expansion of the State Water Quality Management Policy as a matter of urgency.
“The immediate introduction of Chemical Trespass legislation is also overdue. The introduction of such legislation will help address the identified concerns over lack of information and transparency about chemical usage in catchments, as well as the inference that chemicals are not being used in an environmentally responsible manner.”
“The Report states that there is ‘a lack of demonstrable evidence that chemicals in the catchment are being used in an environmentally responsible manner,’ which basically is bureaucratic-speak admitting that chemicals are not being used responsibly,” Mr Morris said.
Gunns …
Gunns Welcomes Findings of the George River Water Quality Panel
The George River Water Quality Panel has found there are no water quality issues in the George River
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These findings give a clean bill of health for treated drinking water to the local community, ruling out fears of a cancer cluster in the St Helens area, pesticides in the water as well as Eucalyptus nitens toxicant
issues for local oyster growers
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“The bottom line is that there is no indication that the treated water is not safe to drink at St Helens”
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“In essence the panel found that the river foam samples that were referred to in the Australian Story report broadcast by the ABC in February this year were not representative of the naturally occurring water in the George River” Panel Spokesperson and Water Quality Expert, Dr Graeme Batley
Please refer to link below for the full announcement:
http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Media%20Releases%202010/2010%2006%2029%20Announcement%20-%20
Gunns%20Welcomes%20George%20River%20Water%20Quality%20Panel%20Findings.pdf
Bryan Hayes, General Manager – Forest Products
