❓ Hon. Norman Moore questions the Water Corporation's groundwater extraction license application, querying why the amount remains the same despite new bores and why the previous year's extraction was below the licensed amount. Hon. Nick Griffiths provides explanations related to regulatory constraints, environmental protection, equipment failures, water quality, and project delays.
AnsweredQoN 1592Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the ground water extraction by the Water Corporation for Perth’s water supply. (1) Why has the Water Corporation applied for a ground water licence of 167 gigalitres for this year - the same amount as last year - despite the investment in the new bores that can deliver 21 gigalitres extra? (2) Why did the Water Corporation extract only 158.1 gigalitres last year when it was licensed to extract 167 gigalitres? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(1) Why has the Water Corporation applied for a ground water licence of 167 gigalitres for this year - the same amount as last year - despite the investment in the new bores that can deliver 21 gigalitres extra? (2) Why did the Water Corporation extract only 158.1 gigalitres last year when it was licensed to extract 167 gigalitres? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(2) Why did the Water Corporation extract only 158.1 gigalitres last year when it was licensed to extract 167 gigalitres? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(1) Why has the Water Corporation applied for a ground water licence of 167 gigalitres for this year - the same amount as last year - despite the investment in the new bores that can deliver 21 gigalitres extra? (2) Why did the Water Corporation extract only 158.1 gigalitres last year when it was licensed to extract 167 gigalitres? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(2) Why did the Water Corporation extract only 158.1 gigalitres last year when it was licensed to extract 167 gigalitres? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(1) The Water Corporation has requested an abstraction of 167 gigalitres from the Water and Rivers Commission for 2003-04. This abstraction is within the constraints of previous approvals by the regulators. The new bores established over the past year enable the total abstraction to be managed in a way that protects environmentally sensitive areas. (2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
(2) Ground water abstraction involves the use of equipment such as bores, pumps and treatment facilities that occasionally and unexpectedly break down. In 2002-03 such events resulted in reduced levels of ground water abstraction. The Water Corporation is required to deliver water of a specified quality. At times this requirement can result in changes to water production levels and temporary plant shutdowns. In 2002-03 it was necessary to shut down the Gwelup ground water scheme for a short period to ensure water quality guidelines were met. As well as temporary shutdowns, the fast-tracked Yarragadee bores project was also completed later than originally anticipated when the allocation request for 2002-03 was made.
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