❓ A parliamentary question regarding Millenium Inorganic Chemicals' (MIC) 2008 Dalyellup Annual Assessment Report, focusing on heavy metal levels in Kemerton Filtrate and compliance with environmental regulations. The Minister provides responses and clarifies the applicable water quality guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 1259Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2008 Dalyellup Annual Assessment Report (the report) of Millenium Inorganic Chemicals (MIC) -
(1) Will the Minister table the full report, including the radiological testing results?
(2) Did MIC provide a report to the Department of Environment and Conservation, about their response to the high levels of heavy metals in the Kemerton Filtrate Levels in mid-2007 outlined on page seven of the report?
(3) If yes to (2), will the Minister explain MIC’s response to the exceedance?
(4) If no to (2), did MIC breach Condition G2(iv) of their 2007 licence, namely to provide a summary of incident and exceedance reports and discussion of any significant responses taken to minimise the likelihood of reoccurrence?
(5) How will the Department ensure that the levels of heavy metals in the Kemerton Filtrate do not exceed the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in the future?
(1) Will the Minister table the full report, including the radiological testing results?
(2) Did MIC provide a report to the Department of Environment and Conservation, about their response to the high levels of heavy metals in the Kemerton Filtrate Levels in mid-2007 outlined on page seven of the report?
(3) If yes to (2), will the Minister explain MIC’s response to the exceedance?
(4) If no to (2), did MIC breach Condition G2(iv) of their 2007 licence, namely to provide a summary of incident and exceedance reports and discussion of any significant responses taken to minimise the likelihood of reoccurrence?
(5) How will the Department ensure that the levels of heavy metals in the Kemerton Filtrate do not exceed the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 November 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes. See tabled paper [ ].
(2) MIC provided a report about the levels of heavy metals in the Filtrate Levels in its 2007 Annual Assessment Report, which was lodged with DEC on 30 June 2008.
(3)The information provided by MIC in its 2007 Annual Assessment Report showed that one heavy metal sample in September 2007 was reported as having a level outside the statistically significant range for the full data history. This result was considered an anomaly and can be discounted on a statistical basis as likely to be due to other (unknown) factors, as it lies outside the normal range of expected results. As MIC was not able to determine a process reason for that sample, MIC concluded that the sample was not reliable and should not be considered as representative of the heavy metal concentration level for that month.
On 24 July 2009, DEC requested that MIC undertake two independent reviews of groundwater and ocean and shoreline impacts caused by metals within filtrates to support its current licence application. DEC has received the reports from MIC and is currently assessing the reports as part the licence assessment process.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) DEC uses the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC 2000) for comparison with samples taken by MIC, as the shallow groundwater at Dalyellup is not a drinking water source. Therefore, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are not applicable.
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(2) MIC provided a report about the levels of heavy metals in the Filtrate Levels in its 2007 Annual Assessment Report, which was lodged with DEC on 30 June 2008.
(3)The information provided by MIC in its 2007 Annual Assessment Report showed that one heavy metal sample in September 2007 was reported as having a level outside the statistically significant range for the full data history. This result was considered an anomaly and can be discounted on a statistical basis as likely to be due to other (unknown) factors, as it lies outside the normal range of expected results. As MIC was not able to determine a process reason for that sample, MIC concluded that the sample was not reliable and should not be considered as representative of the heavy metal concentration level for that month.
On 24 July 2009, DEC requested that MIC undertake two independent reviews of groundwater and ocean and shoreline impacts caused by metals within filtrates to support its current licence application. DEC has received the reports from MIC and is currently assessing the reports as part the licence assessment process.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) DEC uses the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC 2000) for comparison with samples taken by MIC, as the shallow groundwater at Dalyellup is not a drinking water source. Therefore, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are not applicable.
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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