Ashton Coal has an extensive monitoring system in place inclusive of two meteorological monitoring stations and a network of real-time air quality monitoring stations, a continious noise logger, attended noise monitoring and a network of surface and groundwater monitoring, all of which are utilised to inform operations to ensure continued compliance with development consent criteria.
The continuous monitoring of Particulate Matter under 10 micorgrams (PM10) by a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) System was commissioned in late December 2003 and commenced operation on 1 January 2004. Monitoring of depositional dust and Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) commenced from the start of construction activities in September 2003.
The final configuration of the monitoring network was agreed between Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited and the DECCW. The network includes:
Air Quality
- Six TEOM – “real time” continuous PM10;
- Four HVAS - TSP; and
- Eleven depositional dust gauges - insoluble solids.
- To view a map of the monitoring locations click here.
Meteorological
- Two meteorological stations – “real time” wind speed, wind direction and temperature inversion.
- To view a map of the monitoring locations click here.
Noise
- One continious noise logger; and
- Five attended monitoring locations - monitored on a quartely basis.
- To view a map of the monitoring locations click here.
Surface Water
- Twelve off site creek monitoring site
- To view a map of the monitoring locations click here.
Groundwater
- The is an extensive dynamic network of groundwater monitoring bores located on and around the site.
- To view a map of the monitoring locations click here.
