Water inputs

We source water from many different locations, and these are usually dictated by the availability of water in the region in which we are operating.

Where our water comes from

Our water can come from groundwater, surface water, sea water or from dams on site. In addition, some of our water is recycled and sourced from outside our operations, such as water treatment plants.

We withdraw a  mixture of fresh and poor quality water from the environment.  Most importantly, the use of poorer quality water - such as salt water and waste water -  can sometimes be used in place of good quality (potable) water.

For example, in 2006, almost half of the water used our perations was poorer quality water - mostly seawater - used for cooling power stations. In some cases, this saved fresh water resources.

Our results

In 2006, we withdrew 763 million cubic metres -  which is a three per cent increase from 2005. In 2006, about half the water withdrawn was fresh quality water. This is a similar to 2005. As there is generally a higher community and environmental demand for freshwater than poor quality water, we consider how much freshwater we withdraw to be one of our key indicators.

In addition to the water withdrawn for mining and processing, small amounts were withdrawn for supply to external parties, such as towns, pastoral use and export. In 2006, this amount was 29 million cubic metres.

We imported 5 million cubic metres of recycled water from external parties. Although this is a small amount at the Group level, importing recycled water at the operation level is often a successful method to reduce the dependence on freshwater.  For example:

• Seventy per cent of HIsmelt® water is recycled waste water from the Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant sewage treatment plant.
• Thirty eight per cent of Tarong's water is recycled from the neighbouring power station.
• Thirty two per cent of Kestrel's water is sourced from a neighbouring company's mine.
• Eleven per cent of Spring Creek's water is supplied from neighbouring coal seam methane producers.