AdvertisementEnvironmentConservationMining ‘Colossal’ pollution spikes in Sydney’s drinking water catchment Caitlin Fitzsimmons January 29, 2026 — 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Got it Share A A ADirty water from coal mining near Lithgow has polluted a major river in the Sydney drinking water catchment, the environmental watchdog has found. The LDP001 waste discharge point near Springvale Coal into Wangcol Creek, a tributary of the Coxs River. His main concern was the health of the Coxs River, which was habitat for platypuses and other flora and fauna. Now scientists know why She noted underground coal mining also drained swamps and caused subsidence, threatening the unique rock pagodas of the nearby Gardens of Stone area.