❓ A parliamentary question regarding the storage and potential leaching of lead from a toxic waste plant operated by Total Waste Management near Kalgoorlie-Boulder, specifically concerning groundwater contamination and waste disposal practices. The Minister confirms lead detection and provides specific levels.
AnsweredQoN 1604Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the toxic waste plant operated by Total Waste Management near Kalgoorlie Boulder and a letter which I understand is dated 14 January 2003 signed by W. Astill for Tim McAuliffe, Acting Director Pollution Prevention Division addressed to Paul Tonkin, Manager Total Waste Management Pty Ltd titled ‘Inspection of Liquid Waste Recycling Plant - Licence 7436/4’ -
(1) Can the Minister state the reasons why the DOE expects ‘improvement’ in the storage of this waste material should occur to minimise any harmful effects of its storage given that this waste (I understand) eventually goes to the Yarri Road Tip?
(2) If no to (1) why not?
(3) Has lead been detected in the groundwater at TWM monitoring bores located at the plant premises in Kalgoorlie-Boulder?
(4) If yes to (3) at what specific levels?
(5) Can the Minister state whether or not there was any lead in the groundwater when the monitoring bores were first installed at the TWM site?
(6) If no to (5) why not?
(7) If yes to (5) at what specific levels?
(8) Can the Minister state the depth below ground level of the water table where TWM proposed to construct another evaporation pond as part of their works approval application?
(9) If no to (8) why not?
(1) Can the Minister state the reasons why the DOE expects ‘improvement’ in the storage of this waste material should occur to minimise any harmful effects of its storage given that this waste (I understand) eventually goes to the Yarri Road Tip?
(2) If no to (1) why not?
(3) Has lead been detected in the groundwater at TWM monitoring bores located at the plant premises in Kalgoorlie-Boulder?
(4) If yes to (3) at what specific levels?
(5) Can the Minister state whether or not there was any lead in the groundwater when the monitoring bores were first installed at the TWM site?
(6) If no to (5) why not?
(7) If yes to (5) at what specific levels?
(8) Can the Minister state the depth below ground level of the water table where TWM proposed to construct another evaporation pond as part of their works approval application?
(9) If no to (8) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
88 days
(1) Both the Total Waste Management (TWM) site and the Yarri Road Waste Management Facility are licensed premises under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The Yarri Rd site has licence conditions to accept solid waste that meets Class 2 landfill criteria. The TWM site is not a licensed landfill and is required to ensure that solid waste is stored in a manner to prevent pollution. Furthermore, solid waste is stored at TWM until such a time that testing shows that it meets Class 2 landfill criteria. It is conceivable that if testing shows that it doesn’t meet the Class 2 criteria, the waste may either have to be treated or disposed of in a more appropriate landfill facility. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes. (4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes. (4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(3) Yes. (4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes. (4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(3) Yes. (4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(4) Levels have varied between less than 0.01mg/L and 0.25mg/L. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(7) 0.01mg/L. (8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(8) Yes, the groundwater level is 1.5m below ground level. (9) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable.
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