❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding lead contamination and water quality issues at the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), specifically concerning a 'dead-leg' section of the water pipe system. The Minister deflects responsibility for several questions to the Minister for Finance and declines to comment on briefing notes from a previous government.
AnsweredQoN 4396Legislative Assembly
Asked
27 November 2018
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
Further to Question on Notice 4078, I ask: (a) What were the lead readings of the eight individual water samples taken at the PCH on 13 May 2016, where exactly was each sample taken within the hospital, what was the volume of each sample taken, who authorised the testing and who conducted the testing; (b) What was the date that the water inlet valve to the new PCH was first opened to allow water to flow from the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital ring main and at what date was water to all plumbing fixtures in the hospital reticulation system completed; (c) When was the Minister for Health first advised that six out of the eight samples taken on 13 May 2016 did not comply with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and who provided that advice; (d) Did the site hydraulic drawings provided by NMHS to strategic projects on commencement of the PCH project, and which showed the presence of the "dead-leg" section of the ring main, also indicate the age of the pipe, frequency of cleaning, timing of last clean and quality of water within the dormant pipe; (e) When was testing of the water in the "dead-leg" undertaken, what sample size was taken, who recommended the testing, who authorised the testing, who undertook the testing, what were the results and what was the date these results were provided to NMHS; (f) Were water tests taken within PCH to determine if any of the contaminants present in the "dead-leg" were also present in the hospital; if so, when was this testing done, who authorised the testing, who undertook the testing, what sample size was taken, what were the results and who was informed of the results; (g) Was the Minister advised that on 29 September 2018 the acting Campus Facilities Manager endorsed the isolation of the "dead-leg" from the QE II ring main and if so when was he advised, by who and was he advised the reason it was isolated; (h) Can the Minister confirm that the first time the Minister for Health was advised of the presence of the "dead-leg" was via dot point 16 in a one page Contentious Issues briefing note containing a total of 20 dot points dated 10 October 2016 and that the text of dot point 16 stated 'ChemCentre's interim report also recommended the elimination of a "dead leg" of unused water supply pipe in Hospital Avenue; this work has been completed'; (i) Can the Minister also confirm that dot point 6 from the 10 October 2016 Contentious Issue briefing note said "The State will not grant Practical Completion of the PCH Managing Contractor(MC) contract until it is satisfied that the water quality meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines; and (j) Was the Minister for Health made aware of the results of the testing of the water in the "dead-leg" that showed elevated levels of many contaminants, including lead and iron, if so, when?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 February 2019
Response time
3 days
I am advised that:
(a) – (c) As these questions fall under the responsibility of Strategic Projects of the Department of Finance, this question should be directed to the Minister for Finance.
(d) The drawings provided by NMHS to Strategic Projects are historic and dated 5 September 1969, they did not indicate the age of the pipe, frequency of cleaning, timing of last clean and the quality of the dormant water pipe.
(e) – (g) As these questions fall under the responsibility of Strategic Projects of the Department of Finance, this question should be directed to the Minister for Finance.
(h) – (j) The current Minister for Health is not in a position to comment or advise on the contents of Contentious Issue Briefing Notes that were provided to the previous Government in 2016.
(a) – (c) As these questions fall under the responsibility of Strategic Projects of the Department of Finance, this question should be directed to the Minister for Finance.
(d) The drawings provided by NMHS to Strategic Projects are historic and dated 5 September 1969, they did not indicate the age of the pipe, frequency of cleaning, timing of last clean and the quality of the dormant water pipe.
(e) – (g) As these questions fall under the responsibility of Strategic Projects of the Department of Finance, this question should be directed to the Minister for Finance.
(h) – (j) The current Minister for Health is not in a position to comment or advise on the contents of Contentious Issue Briefing Notes that were provided to the previous Government in 2016.
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