Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Progress Update

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Paulina Douglas
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1 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Progress Update B Dewhurst & L Archer (Orica) 18/03/2014

2 Progress Since Last CLC Meeting Groundwater containment was achieved at all three containment lines (SCA, PCA and BIP) during the last monitoring period VMP Progress Report No. 14 shares results of a quarterly groundwater monitoring event Concentrations of contaminants of concern in surface water at Penrhyn Estuary remain below ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) trigger values To date, approximately 13,910 ML has been extracted from the aquifer for treatment The estimated total mass of CHCs destroyed is 1,155 tonnes Third Strategy Review Workshop held, and extraordinary CLC meeting held with two experts

3 What does the groundwater treatment plant do? The Groundwater Treatment Plant (GTP) receives approximately 6 mega litres per day of contaminated groundwater which is extracted from 3 containment lines down gradient of source zones located on the Botany Industrial Park (BIP) Extracted groundwater undergoes extensive processing before being supplied to local industry for use in their manufacturing processes

line is equipped with several extraction wells with individual pumps Priority

4 Where is the groundwater pumped from? Groundwater is pumped from three different containment lines Each containment line is equipped with several extraction wells with individual pumps Priority is given to the Secondary Containment Area (SCA) to ensure that contaminated groundwater does not discharge into Botany Bay

5 Independent Monitoring Committee (IMC) Established in 2005 for the Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project No new IMC Tasks since 2011 Expenditure to date is $108,236 Prof Ian Acworth is stepping down Contracts due to be renewed Orica invites CLC feedback on ideas about forward IMC activity

6 Former ChlorAlkali Plant Mercury Soil Contamination Remediation Update Colin Wiley (Orica) 18/03/2014

7 Project Update Stages 1 and 2 have been successfully completed 6,000 t of contaminated material removed very low ambient mercury levels, well under action levels and WHO guideline values Stage 3 has commenced, with decontamination of the Temporary Emission Control Enclosure (TECE) almost complete We have met all the requirements of the Management Order to date Detailed plans for the remainder of Stage 3 are being prepared - site preparation and TECE removal We will continue extensive air monitoring to protect workers and the community Quarterly CLC Meeting

8 The FCAP Site

9 Remediation Stages anticipated completion dates Subject to EPA feedback and further consideration of Stage 3 and 4 works Stage Work Anticipated completion dates Stage 1 Stage 2 Blocks A & M excavation and reinstatement Block G targeted excavation and reinstatement Complete Complete Stage 3 Decontamination, site preparation and June 2014 removal of Temporary Emissions Control Enclosure (TECE) Stage 4 Construction of cut-off wall & Installation of capping system June 2015

10 Temporary Emission Control Enclosure

11 Update on Regulation of Orica Botany Groundwater Clean Up Project And Former Chlor Alkali Plant Mercury Remediation Project Groundwater Community Liaison Committee 18 March 2014 Niall Johnston Contaminated Sites James Goodwin Sydney Industry 1

12 Overview of Presentation Contaminated Sites - Groundwater Clean up Project - Former Chlor Alkali Plant Sydney Industry - Update on Environment Protection Licence

13 Groundwater Clean up Project Section 44 Notice to amend currently approved VMP prepared by the EPA in December 2013 (on EPA public register); amendments as follows: - Implementation of the revised groundwater and surface water monitoring program; - Implementation of the Groundwater Injection Recovery (GIR) System for contingency purposes; - Minor date change for strategy review workshop and annual report; - Cessation of residential bore monitoring. 3

14 Groundwater Clean up Project December 2013 Quarterly Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring Report, received by EPA on 28 February 2014, this was the first quarterly event under the new monitoring program: - Concentrations of the key contaminants in surface water at Penrhyn Estuary remain below ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) trigger values. GIR Trial Report received by EPA on 12 March 2014: - full scale trial conducted end of 2013 to determine if the GIR system is suitable to perform for the the GTP; - trial reported to have been a success - report currently being reviewed by EPA. 4

15 Groundwater Clean up Project Groundwater Strategy Review Workshop 18 and 19 February 2014: - Views sought from 3 international experts on the current groundwater remediation strategy. - Consensus that current strategy is working well, but useful recommendations were made. - Detailed summary of outcomes to be included in 2014 Annual Report, due to be submitted to the EPA in April. Extraordinary CLC Meeting 20 February 2014: - Opportunity for CLC to meet international experts - Feedback provided by experts on current approach - EPA feedback on workshop. 5

16 Former Chlor Alkali Plant Remediation works are currently on schedule and compliant with the Management Order. Stages 1 and 2 of the remediation works have been completed, Stage 3 is underway, pending approval from the EPA for removal of the TECE. Orica has submitted the following reports to the EPA: - Block A and M Remediation Validation Report - Long Term Site Environmental Management Plan (LTSEMP) for Blocks A and M - Blocks A and M Site Audit Report and Statement - Block G Excavation Characterisation Report 6

17 Former Chlor Alkali Plant - Excavation of Shallow Impacted Soils, Block G Site Audit Report and Statement - TECE Decommissioning Management Plan - Block G Remediation Design Specification - Construction Environmental Management Plan The EPA is in the process of reviewing a number of the reports. 7

18 Environment Protection Lic Licence changes for Former Chlor- Alkali Plant Groundwater Treatment Plant Financial Assurance Minor Chlorine Release Incident on 28 November

19 Orica Botany CLC March 2014 Ian Colley, CLC Chair

21 Significant improvement on previous meetings (though only 7 respondents): 100% good or very good 86% agreed that The Meeting delivered on its aims to share credible information on the Orica Botany remediation projects 86% agreed that The Meeting accurately reflected issues raised at that Meeting Main reasons: Survey Feedback on December Small numbers but with experienced people and covered a number of key areas. Active participation interesting dynamics in friendly space general ambience of the meeting and community members inclination to speak up and be frank The full agenda was completed and issues were raised and discussed in a mature way

22 Today s approach Continuing from December ALL IN presentations first, then small group discussion on freely chosen topics to set the 2014 agenda Small groups to consider questions on notice, and action items for consideration AT THE NEXT MEETING Why? Promote and sharpen participation and exchange

23 Ground Rules disagreeing well 1. All of us are responsible for the culture of this meeting 2. Everyone has an opportunity to speak 3. Be short, sweet and to the point. Make the point, no need for repetition 4. Raise your hand if you want to make a point 5. Be observant: is there someone who has not had a chance to say something? 6. Feel free to express strong disagreement, but be respectful in your language 7. Let s make it a dialogue - an opportunity to learn together

Update on Regulation of Orica Botany Groundwater Clean Up Project. Groundwater Community Liaison Committee 13 December 2011

Update on Regulation of Orica Botany Groundwater Clean Up Project Groundwater Community Liaison Committee 13 December 2011 Niall Johnston Contaminated Sites James Goodwin Sydney Industry 1 Overview of