Groundwater tests will last 18 months

The Woy Woy borefield will remain under a "test production" licence for at least a further 18 months, according to Gosford Council's director of water and sewer, Mr Rod Williams.

This was required because of the complexity of all the monitoring and reporting required by the Department of Water and Energy, he said.

"The test production licence is an interim licence to assist in evaluation and determination of what the department considers to be a sustainable production rate of the whole groundwater resource on the Peninsula," Mr Williams said.

"During this period, council will undertake specific monitoring and testing as required in the agreed groundwater monitoring plan schedule and environmental monitoring plan schedule."

Mr Williams said interim updates would be provided to the department.

"A number of baseline studies have been completed, including fauna/flora, groundwater levels, groundwater quality, reserve tree surveys, precise leveling survey grid and building condition reports on residences and buildings within a 50m radius of all production bores.

"This data will be compared with that data collected in next 18 months of production of the Woy Woy borefield scheme.

"At end of the 18-month period, council is to present all test monitoring data and make a case for an annual allocation for town water supply," said Mr Williams.

Press release, 25 Jan 2008 Meagan Wilkinson, Gosford Council