❓ The WA parliamentary question seeks information about desalination plants and water usage in the Collie-Wellington Basin, particularly regarding Alcoa's potential involvement. The government confirms existing desalination plants operated by Synergy and clarifies water usage by self-supply users.
AnsweredQoN 2193Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the State Government or the Department of Water aware of either a proposal for, or the operation of, a desalination plant in the Collie-Wellington Basin? (2) If yes to (1): (a) who built it, or proposes to build it; (b) who owns it, or proposes to own it; (c) who operates it, or proposes to operate it; and (d) who is, or will be, using treated water produced by the plant? (3) Did the State Government or the Department of Water receive any expressions of interest or proposals from Alcoa, in response to the Water Source Options Steering Committee report entitled Water Source Options in the Collie-Wellington Basin Final Report to the Minister for Water Resources May 2007 ? (4) What, if any, infrastructure has been constructed, or is proposed to be constructed in, from or to the Collie-Wellington Basin? (5) Who is, or was involved in the construction of infrastructure, if any, in, from or to the Collie-Wellington Basin? (6) Who, if anyone, is currently using water from the Collie-Wellington Basin and for what purpose? (7) Is the State Government or the Department of Water aware of Alcoa’s involvement, or proposed involvement, in the design, construction, management or operation of a desalination plant or proposed desalination plant in the Collie-Wellington Basin?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2015
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Water
Response time
91 days
(1) Yes
(2)
(a) (i) Verve Energy built two desalination plants currently in operation.
(ii) Several proponents have raised their ideas with government but at this time there are no firm proposals for new desalination facilities.
(b) Synergy owns the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(c) Synergy operates the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(d) Synergy uses the water produced by the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(3) No
(4) In addition to desalination plants in answer 2, every self-supply water user has infrastructure in place to access water e.g. dams, bores, pumps and pipe-works.
(5) Self-supply water users.
(6) Self-supply water users for mining operations, horticulture and agriculture, irrigation of public open space and school ovals and for domestic purposes.
(7) No
(2)
(a) (i) Verve Energy built two desalination plants currently in operation.
(ii) Several proponents have raised their ideas with government but at this time there are no firm proposals for new desalination facilities.
(b) Synergy owns the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(c) Synergy operates the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(d) Synergy uses the water produced by the plants built by Verve Energy referred to in (a)(i) above.
(3) No
(4) In addition to desalination plants in answer 2, every self-supply water user has infrastructure in place to access water e.g. dams, bores, pumps and pipe-works.
(5) Self-supply water users.
(6) Self-supply water users for mining operations, horticulture and agriculture, irrigation of public open space and school ovals and for domestic purposes.
(7) No
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