Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 5226

❓ Mr. Marmion asks a series of detailed questions regarding lead levels in the Perth Children's Hospital's water supply and the subsequent remedial actions taken. The Minister declines to answer, citing ongoing disputes with John Holland.

AnsweredQoN 5226Legislative Assembly

Asked

13 June 2019

Member

Mr W.R. Marmion

Portfolio

Finance

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the answer to Question on Notice 4892 in relation the the Perth Children's Hospital, which states that "The results detailed in tabled paper no. 2198 demonstrate there were no systemic issues with incoming water supply at the time the Treasurer was advised", despite seven test results for lead on water inlets taken in 2016 having registered above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, and ask: (a) Were there any systemic issues with incoming water supply prior to the time that the Treasurer was advised that there were no current systemic issues; (b) Can the Minister explain why seven test results of incoming water to the PCH had lead readings above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines; (c) Can the Minister advise what were the likely causes of these lead readings in the water inlet samples; (d) Apart from the brass fittings on the outlets of the PCH water reticulation system, which contained a small percentage of residual lead within their composition, were there any other building materials or components used in the construction of the hospital that contained lead; (e) What was the range of lead percentages within the brass fittings in the PCH and how does this compare to the Australian standard for brass water fittings used for potable water consumption and were they in compliance with the contractual conditions of the PCH construction contract.; (f) What remedial action was taken as part of the iterative commissioning process to remove any installation particles and debris present in the initial water quality testing.; (g) Did remedial action include flushing of the reticulation system by a chlorination process and can the Minister outline how this was undertaken and who was engaged to undertake this work.; (h) How many times and on what dates was chlorination flushing of the system undertaken and for each of these occasions how many of the brass water outlets were open to allow particles to be flushed out.; (i) During any of the chlorination flushing procedures, undertaken to remove installation particles and debris, were any of the brass outlets closed, if so how many were closed and how many opened.; (j) For each of the chlorination flushing events was the total time of chlorination flushing measured and was the concentration of chlorination also measured and recorded, if so, what were these values.; and (k) After each chlorination episode undertaken, for how long was the system flushed with non-chlorinated water and if the percentage of chlorine still present in the system was measured after these clean flushes, what were these readings and who took them.?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

6 August 2019

Responded by

Minister for Finance

Response time

7 days

(a)-(k) As the Member is well aware, the construction and commissioning of the Perth Children's Hospital is a matter of dispute between the State Government and John Holland. Accordingly, I do not propose to provide any further comment at this point in time nor dedicate resources that should otherwise be focused on resolving the matter in the State's best interests.

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