REQUESTS to pump water from beneath Wentworth Mine to supplement Orange's water supply have been knocked back again due to its arsenic content and low yield.
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After councillor Glenn Taylor asked to investigate the option in July, Orange City Council staff dusted off two studies from 2004 and 2009, completed by CM Jewell & Associates, plus further investigations in 2013 as part of the council's water cycle management plan.
The first study took samples from the Reform shaft and concluded the yield from extracting the water would be up to two megalitres a week, less than 5 per cent of Orange's water demand.
Technical services director Ian Greenham stated in the report regulatory agencies at the time were concerned with the arsenic levels and the potential for mine water to pollute Summer Hill Creek and affect ecology.
"Whilst the concentrations of the heavy metals were low, the concentration of arsenic in the two samples collected exceeded the maximum level recommended by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines," he said.
The second study looked into hydrogeological issues, raising concerns about lowering the groundwater table, affecting the output of natural springs and ground subsidence.
But based on previous pumping in the 1910s and 1950s, the report found two megalitres a week could be extracted.
The move would have required the council to secure a water licence.
The council continues to investigate efficiencies in its water management operations and with high water users, plus expansions for the stormwater harvesting schemes.
Councillors acknowledged the report and took no further action.
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