❓ Mr Masters questions the government about MTBE levels in petrol, potential environmental impacts, and if standards will be relaxed. The government confirms it will not relax standards due to groundwater contamination risks.
AnsweredQoN 1029Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What controls currently exist in terms of the amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) that may be present in petrol allowed to be sold in Western Australia?
(2) What are the major reasons why several states in the USA are considering or applying a ban on the use of MTBE in petrol sold in their states?
(3) Is the Western Australia Government considering relaxing the current standards for MTBE content of fuels sold in the Western Australia?
(4) If yes, is the Minister concerned at the potential environmental impacts of such a relaxation of existing laws?
(2) What are the major reasons why several states in the USA are considering or applying a ban on the use of MTBE in petrol sold in their states?
(3) Is the Western Australia Government considering relaxing the current standards for MTBE content of fuels sold in the Western Australia?
(4) If yes, is the Minister concerned at the potential environmental impacts of such a relaxation of existing laws?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 November 2001
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
55 days
(2) Several States in the USA are applying a ban on the use of MTBE in petrol due to contamination of their potable groundwater supplies. MTBE can be a serious water pollutant as it is not absorbed by soil particles to any significant extent and therefore migrates from surface to ground waters readily. MTBE is soluble in water, is not readily lost from water by evaporation and is not readily biodegradable, leading to persistence in ground water for many years after initial contamination. MTBE imparts a 'turpentine like' taste and odour to water at extremely low concentrations, preventing its use as drinking water without costly purification treatment. MTBE use will be restricted in several US States to reduce further contamination of valuable ground and surface waters used to supply drinking water. (3) The Government is not considering relaxing the standard for the MTBE content of petrol sold in Western Australia, due to the potential contamination of Perth's extensive and critically important ground water resources. (4) N/A
MTBE imparts a 'turpentine like' taste and odour to water at extremely low concentrations, preventing its use as drinking water without costly purification treatment. MTBE use will be restricted in several US States to reduce further contamination of valuable ground and surface waters used to supply drinking water. (3) The Government is not considering relaxing the standard for the MTBE content of petrol sold in Western Australia, due to the potential contamination of Perth's extensive and critically important ground water resources. (4) N/A
(3) The Government is not considering relaxing the standard for the MTBE content of petrol sold in Western Australia, due to the potential contamination of Perth's extensive and critically important ground water resources. (4) N/A
(4) N/A
MTBE imparts a 'turpentine like' taste and odour to water at extremely low concentrations, preventing its use as drinking water without costly purification treatment. MTBE use will be restricted in several US States to reduce further contamination of valuable ground and surface waters used to supply drinking water. (3) The Government is not considering relaxing the standard for the MTBE content of petrol sold in Western Australia, due to the potential contamination of Perth's extensive and critically important ground water resources. (4) N/A
(3) The Government is not considering relaxing the standard for the MTBE content of petrol sold in Western Australia, due to the potential contamination of Perth's extensive and critically important ground water resources. (4) N/A
(4) N/A
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.