❓ A parliamentary question regarding nitrate levels in drinking water at the Jigalong community, specifically concerning teacher and police housing, and the provision of bottled water to students. The Minister's response indicates the Department of Housing believes the water quality is safe for adults, and only provides bottled water for infants.
AnsweredQoN 845Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
JIGALONG COMMUNITY — NITRATE LEVELS
845. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the minister representing the
Minister for Housing:
(1) Does the
Department of Housing plan to install reverse osmosis filtration units to teacher
and police housing at the Jigalong community; and if not, is the minister aware
of plans by either WA Police or the Department of Education to install such
filters?
(2) Is the
Minister aware of students at Jigalong Remote Community School being provided
with bottled drinking water during school hours?
(3) Are the
actions in (1) and (2) a response to reports of higher than normal nitrate
levels in the drinking water at Jigalong?
(4) If no to
(3), what is the reason for the proposal to install reverse osmosis filtration
units to teachers and police housing at the Jigalong community?
845. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the minister representing the
Minister for Housing:
(1) Does the
Department of Housing plan to install reverse osmosis filtration units to teacher
and police housing at the Jigalong community; and if not, is the minister aware
of plans by either WA Police or the Department of Education to install such
filters?
(2) Is the
Minister aware of students at Jigalong Remote Community School being provided
with bottled drinking water during school hours?
(3) Are the
actions in (1) and (2) a response to reports of higher than normal nitrate
levels in the drinking water at Jigalong?
(4) If no to
(3), what is the reason for the proposal to install reverse osmosis filtration
units to teachers and police housing at the Jigalong community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) No. The
Department of Housing is responsible for maintaining water compliance for the
Jigalong community as a whole and does not provide individual house treatment
options under the remote area essential services program. If other
organisations are considering the installation of independent treatment
options, it has not been raised with the department.
(2) No. The
Department of Housing provides free bottled water for infants under three
months of age who are fed bottled formula. This water is stored and distributed
as appropriate via the community clinic. The department does not provide free
bottled water to anyone outside of this parameter as it is not a requirement
under protocols established with the Department of Health.
(3) No. Water
quality at the Jigalong community aligns with the 2004 Australian Drinking
Water Guidelines, with nitrate and nitrite concentrations averaging 50 milligrams
per litre to 100 milligrams per litre. This is considered safe to drink for
adults, including pregnant women. As outlined above, alternative water is
supplied for infants up to three months of age.
(4) Any
proposal to install independent treatment systems at selected housing has not
been at the request of the department and is not within the requirement of the
remote area essential services program. The department is not aware that this
option has been considered or undertaken by any other agency.
question.
(1) No. The
Department of Housing is responsible for maintaining water compliance for the
Jigalong community as a whole and does not provide individual house treatment
options under the remote area essential services program. If other
organisations are considering the installation of independent treatment
options, it has not been raised with the department.
(2) No. The
Department of Housing provides free bottled water for infants under three
months of age who are fed bottled formula. This water is stored and distributed
as appropriate via the community clinic. The department does not provide free
bottled water to anyone outside of this parameter as it is not a requirement
under protocols established with the Department of Health.
(3) No. Water
quality at the Jigalong community aligns with the 2004 Australian Drinking
Water Guidelines, with nitrate and nitrite concentrations averaging 50 milligrams
per litre to 100 milligrams per litre. This is considered safe to drink for
adults, including pregnant women. As outlined above, alternative water is
supplied for infants up to three months of age.
(4) Any
proposal to install independent treatment systems at selected housing has not
been at the request of the department and is not within the requirement of the
remote area essential services program. The department is not aware that this
option has been considered or undertaken by any other agency.
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