Question regarding water quality in urban drains, research gaps, and funding cuts. The answer outlines ongoing initiatives, research collaborations, and past/future investment in water quality improvement.

AnsweredQoN 5983Legislative Council
Asked
11 September 2012
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Water Quality in the Urban Main Drains Managed by the Water Corporation Report of April 2012, which found that there was a lack of research and data relating to numerous areas in relation to effective water quality assessment and management. I refer also to the vast reduction of staff and funding to the Catchment and Waterways Health division of the Department of Water, and I ask —
(1) What is being done to remedy this knowledge gap?
(2) When will these tasks be undertaken?
(3) What funding will be directed to undertake these tasks and from where will this funding be sourced?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
16 October 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Water
Response time
35 days
(1) - (2). The report recommendations in relation to stormwater quality in the Water Corporation's drains related to a range of possible initiatives some of which the Water Corporation is currently implementing, such as infill sewer, vegetation clearance, sediment removal and soil amendment research.
The Department of Water and Water Corporation are also involved in the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.  Projects undertaken by the Cooperative Research Centre include a research component and this will add to the existing knowledge bank around drainage water quality assessment and management. The projects are ongoing over the life of the Cooperative Research Centre.
(3) The Department of Water has not had a Catchment and Waterways Health division.
The Water Corporation has spent in the order of $1.1 million on research relating to water quality improvement in its urban drains over the past four years and will continue to invest in research in addition to its annual maintenance and operating budget and the State Government fund provided for the infill sewerage program.
The Cooperative Research Centre is funded by several sources including the Commonwealth Government, the Department of Water, Water Corporation and other participants.
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