Prevent Toxic Contamination of Albury Wodonga Drinking Water Supply - Stop Dederang BESS
Prevent Toxic Contamination of Albury Wodonga Drinking Water Supply - Stop Dederang BESS
The issue
Prevent Toxic Contamination of Albury Wodonga Drinking Water Supply - Stop Dederang BESS
Description:
We, the undersigned, urgently call for immediate action to prevent the construction of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Dederang, which poses a grave risk to our water resources and public health. This facility, known for its use of various battery types including lithium-based batteries and Sodium Sulphur (NaS) batteries, could lead to toxic contamination of our drinking water supply and pose a significant fire risk in our bushfire-prone region, where our local Country Fire Authority (CFA) lacks adequate equipment to combat such fires.
Background: The proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Dederang represents a severe threat to our community. Batteries utilized in energy storage systems, including lithium-based batteries and Sodium Sulphur (NaS) batteries, are known to leak hazardous substances like lead and sulfuric acid into the environment. Additionally, the risk of fires associated with these battery types further exacerbates the danger to our water supply and public health.
Impact:
Water Contamination: The construction and operation of the BESS facility could lead to leakage or improper disposal of batteries and their electrolytes, contaminating groundwater and surface water, including the Murray River, jeopardizing the safety of our drinking water supply. Toxic substances such as lead and sulfuric acid have the potential to seep into the soil and nearby water sources, eventually reaching the Murray River.
Effects on Town Drinking Water: As the Murray River serves as a major water source for towns and cities along its route, toxic contamination from the Dederang BESS facility could have far-reaching consequences. Towns relying on the Murray River for their drinking water supply, from Albury Wodonga to Adelaide, could be affected by the pollution, leading to widespread public health risks and water shortages.
Ecological Impact: The contamination of the Murray River could have devastating effects on aquatic life, vegetation, and ecosystems along its banks. Toxic substances discharged into the river could disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem, leading to fish kills, loss of biodiversity, and long-term ecological damage.
Economic Consequences: The contamination of the Murray River and subsequent impacts on drinking water supplies could have significant economic repercussions for communities along its route. This includes increased healthcare costs due to waterborne illnesses, loss of revenue from tourism and recreational activities, and damage to agricultural industries relying on clean water for irrigation.
By signing this petition, you are demanding the immediate halt to the construction of the Dederang BESS facility, thus protecting our drinking water supply, public health, and environment from the grave risks associated with hazardous battery storage facilities.
Together, let's prevent the construction of this hazardous facility and safeguard our communities, water resources, and environment.
-Further Research Examples -
(A consequential health hazard was created when the Town of East Hampton’s primary water
supply was poisoned by run-off water used to extinguish the fire at the East Hampton battery
storage facility on May 31, 2023. Toxins that can lead to cancer and other illnesses were
released into our sole source of freshwater. No public warning has been issued, nor has a
cleanup effort been announced. The Montauk facility should be taken offline while an open and
transparent investigation into the fire at the East Hampton facility is performed.
Please read the information as best as I can ascertain, as follows––)
350
The issue
Prevent Toxic Contamination of Albury Wodonga Drinking Water Supply - Stop Dederang BESS
Description:
We, the undersigned, urgently call for immediate action to prevent the construction of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Dederang, which poses a grave risk to our water resources and public health. This facility, known for its use of various battery types including lithium-based batteries and Sodium Sulphur (NaS) batteries, could lead to toxic contamination of our drinking water supply and pose a significant fire risk in our bushfire-prone region, where our local Country Fire Authority (CFA) lacks adequate equipment to combat such fires.
Background: The proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Dederang represents a severe threat to our community. Batteries utilized in energy storage systems, including lithium-based batteries and Sodium Sulphur (NaS) batteries, are known to leak hazardous substances like lead and sulfuric acid into the environment. Additionally, the risk of fires associated with these battery types further exacerbates the danger to our water supply and public health.
Impact:
Water Contamination: The construction and operation of the BESS facility could lead to leakage or improper disposal of batteries and their electrolytes, contaminating groundwater and surface water, including the Murray River, jeopardizing the safety of our drinking water supply. Toxic substances such as lead and sulfuric acid have the potential to seep into the soil and nearby water sources, eventually reaching the Murray River.
Effects on Town Drinking Water: As the Murray River serves as a major water source for towns and cities along its route, toxic contamination from the Dederang BESS facility could have far-reaching consequences. Towns relying on the Murray River for their drinking water supply, from Albury Wodonga to Adelaide, could be affected by the pollution, leading to widespread public health risks and water shortages.
Ecological Impact: The contamination of the Murray River could have devastating effects on aquatic life, vegetation, and ecosystems along its banks. Toxic substances discharged into the river could disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem, leading to fish kills, loss of biodiversity, and long-term ecological damage.
Economic Consequences: The contamination of the Murray River and subsequent impacts on drinking water supplies could have significant economic repercussions for communities along its route. This includes increased healthcare costs due to waterborne illnesses, loss of revenue from tourism and recreational activities, and damage to agricultural industries relying on clean water for irrigation.
By signing this petition, you are demanding the immediate halt to the construction of the Dederang BESS facility, thus protecting our drinking water supply, public health, and environment from the grave risks associated with hazardous battery storage facilities.
Together, let's prevent the construction of this hazardous facility and safeguard our communities, water resources, and environment.
-Further Research Examples -
(A consequential health hazard was created when the Town of East Hampton’s primary water
supply was poisoned by run-off water used to extinguish the fire at the East Hampton battery
storage facility on May 31, 2023. Toxins that can lead to cancer and other illnesses were
released into our sole source of freshwater. No public warning has been issued, nor has a
cleanup effort been announced. The Montauk facility should be taken offline while an open and
transparent investigation into the fire at the East Hampton facility is performed.
Please read the information as best as I can ascertain, as follows––)
350
Supporter voices
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Petition created on 25 February 2024