11 Jan 08 - Community Invited to Coramba Remediation Works Information Session

A community Information Session is to be held in Coramba Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday, January 17, on the initial phase of the contaminated groundwater remediation work, which is due to begin this month.

The initial phase will see the installation of a Pilot Trial Air Sparge/Soil Vapour Extraction System (SVE) on land at the lower portion of Martin Street.  The pilot-scale installation will assist in designing the full-scale Air Sparge and SVE system, which requires Project Approval from the NSW Department of Planning.

The full scale Air Sparge and Soil Vapour Extraction System will act as a 'curtain' to intercept the migration of the plume of contaminated groundwater towards the river.

The Air Sparge system uses compressed air to help remove contamination from soil and groundwater below the water table. When air is pumped underground through the contaminated material and groundwater, the hydrocarbons evaporate into the injected air, which makes them easier to remove. The Soil Vapour Extraction System is a vacuum system, which then captures the air containing the hydrocarbon vapours. This air is then passed through filters to remove any contaminants. 

A programme of air, river water and groundwater monitoring will also continue in 2008 as part of the remediation work. The preliminary timetable for the remediation project is: 

• Phase 1: Pilot trial testing program - January to March 2008
• Phase 2: Base monitoring: air, river water & groundwater - continuing throughout 2008
• Phase 3: Full scale Air Sparge and SVE installation - second half 2008, subject to receiving Project Approval from the NSW Department of Planning
• Phase 4: Operation of the full scale Air Sparge and SVE - 2 to 3 years from 2008

A question and answer sheet on the Pilot Trial and how it will operate is being distributed to the Coramba community prior to the Information Session. Copies will also be made available on Council's website at www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/2502

The Information Session will be attended by representatives of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, NSW Health, Coffs Harbour City Council, the consultants carrying out the remediation work and members of the Community Working Party.

The clean-up is being funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has overall statutory responsibility for regulation of the clean-up. Coffs Harbour City Council is coordinating the on-ground works.