WA parliamentary question regarding the use, safety, and replacement plans for asbestos water mains in Western Australia. The Minister confirms their continued use, deems the water safe, and states replacement is based on condition, not material type.

AnsweredQoN 6149Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 September 2011
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

In regards to asbestos water mains, I ask:
(a) are any still in use in Western Australia; and
(i) if so, will the Minister please provide their locations;
(b) how many kilometres are still in service across Western Australia;
(c) is the water transported through these mains safe;
(d) what policies do the Minister’s agencies have regarding this;
(i) will the Minister provide these policies; and
(ii) if not, why not; and
(e) are the Minster’s agencies intending to replace these pipes; and
(i) if yes, what timelines have been established for this?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
18 October 2011
Responded by
Minister for Water
Response time
28 days
(a) Yes
(i) Location and Length of Pipe
Goldfields & Agriculture 4 646 km
Great Southern 1 917 km
Mid West 1 200 km
North West 825 km
Perth 1 774 km
South West 608 km
(b) 10 970 kilometres
(c) The Water Corporation's position is that there is currently no concern about asbestos cement pipes having any adverse effects upon the quality of water supplied or customers' health.
(d) The Water Corporation's position is consistent with the World Health Organisation, Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, Department of Health of WA and many other countries' regulators such as Canada's Federal Health group and the UK's Drinking Water Inspectorate
(i) A link to the Department of Health of WA's position is provided:
www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/3333/2/Asbestos%20in%20Drinking%20Water.pdf
(ii) Not applicable
(e) - (e)(i) There is no specific program for the replacement of asbestos cement pipes. The Water Corporation has a program of water main replacement for all types of material based on the condition, performance and the customer impact of a failure.
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