❓ Question regarding the Water Corporation and Department of Water's role in investigating lead contamination at Perth Children's Hospital, advice received by the Minister, and potential contamination outside the hospital. The Minister states their department's involvement is limited to offering expertise and that they were unaware of the issue until media reports.
AnsweredQoN 593Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL — LEAD
CONTAMINATION
593. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Water:
I refer to the lead contamination of
water at Perth Children's Hospital.
(1) What role has
the Water Corporation or Department of Water had in the investigation of the
contamination issue?
(2) What advice
has the minister received in relation to the lead contamination issue, and when
did the minister receive that advice?
(3) Has there
been any indication that the lead contamination has affected elsewhere outside
the children's hospital?
CONTAMINATION
593. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Water:
I refer to the lead contamination of
water at Perth Children's Hospital.
(1) What role has
the Water Corporation or Department of Water had in the investigation of the
contamination issue?
(2) What advice
has the minister received in relation to the lead contamination issue, and when
did the minister receive that advice?
(3) Has there
been any indication that the lead contamination has affected elsewhere outside
the children's hospital?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(3) The role of the Department of Water and the Water
Corporation at this stage is limited to us offering Water Corporation expertise
to assist with the contractors at this point to determine what is happening
within the worksite. The advice I received came when the media broke it; I was
not aware of the issue prior to that. It was not something that had come
through my department or the Water Corporation. I was ill yesterday so I have
not had a full briefing from my staff, other than to say that the Water Corporation
has provided advice that it regularly—that is, once a year—tests
for lead contamination. The Water Corporation is assuring me that it is not an
issue in relation to our water supply, and the people supplied by—sorry;
off the top of my head I cannot remember it—the supply source. The
Water Corporation has said it is confident it is not that, and that it is
relatively confident it has occurred within the site. The Water Corporation
will be giving its assistance, if required, to the contractor.
(1)–(3) The role of the Department of Water and the Water
Corporation at this stage is limited to us offering Water Corporation expertise
to assist with the contractors at this point to determine what is happening
within the worksite. The advice I received came when the media broke it; I was
not aware of the issue prior to that. It was not something that had come
through my department or the Water Corporation. I was ill yesterday so I have
not had a full briefing from my staff, other than to say that the Water Corporation
has provided advice that it regularly—that is, once a year—tests
for lead contamination. The Water Corporation is assuring me that it is not an
issue in relation to our water supply, and the people supplied by—sorry;
off the top of my head I cannot remember it—the supply source. The
Water Corporation has said it is confident it is not that, and that it is
relatively confident it has occurred within the site. The Water Corporation
will be giving its assistance, if required, to the contractor.
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