❓ Ms Carles questions the Minister for Environment regarding PCB contamination in the Swan Canning Riverpark, specifically concerning funding allocation, testing deficiencies, and detection limits. The Minister responds with details of a new passive sampling program and improved detection limits.
AnsweredQoN 4171Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to non-nutrient contaminants in the Swan Canning Riverpark, I ask:
(a) will the Minister indicate how much of the $100,000 allocated to identifying the sources of non-nutrient contaminants in the Swan Canning Riverpark, will be spent on identifying sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs);
(b) is the Minister aware that deficiencies have been identified in relation to PCB testing in the Swan and Canning rivers in recent years by government authorities;
(c) will the Minister detail those deficiencies and the measures to be undertaken to rectify them; and
(i) if not, why not; and
(d) what laboratory limits of detection will be set to identify PCBs in river samples?
(a) will the Minister indicate how much of the $100,000 allocated to identifying the sources of non-nutrient contaminants in the Swan Canning Riverpark, will be spent on identifying sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs);
(b) is the Minister aware that deficiencies have been identified in relation to PCB testing in the Swan and Canning rivers in recent years by government authorities;
(c) will the Minister detail those deficiencies and the measures to be undertaken to rectify them; and
(i) if not, why not; and
(d) what laboratory limits of detection will be set to identify PCBs in river samples?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 November 2010
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
(a) An investigation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in waters of the Swan and Canning rivers using passive sampling technology has been commissioned by the Swan River Trust and will commence in the first half of 2011. The cost of this program will be $67,959.
(b)- (c) Recent reports into the health of our Swan and Canning river systems have referred to the challenges in sampling and reporting on PCB contamination. I am advised that traditional water grab sample methods which have previously been used only provided an instantaneous measure of water quality at the time of sampling.
The Swan River Trust, in conjunction with the Department of Water, will deploy passive samplers which will remain
in situ
for approximately one month, sampling the water column continuously throughout that period.
(i) Not applicable.
(d) I am advised that the expected final detection limit of individual PCBs will be at or near 0.001 micrograms per litre which is lower than the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.
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(b)- (c) Recent reports into the health of our Swan and Canning river systems have referred to the challenges in sampling and reporting on PCB contamination. I am advised that traditional water grab sample methods which have previously been used only provided an instantaneous measure of water quality at the time of sampling.
The Swan River Trust, in conjunction with the Department of Water, will deploy passive samplers which will remain
in situ
for approximately one month, sampling the water column continuously throughout that period.
(i) Not applicable.
(d) I am advised that the expected final detection limit of individual PCBs will be at or near 0.001 micrograms per litre which is lower than the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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