A WA parliamentary question seeks detailed information on the state's desalination plants, including location, cost, ownership, operation, output, staffing, service areas, lifespan, running costs, revenue, subsidies, and value of service. The answer refers to a tabled paper for some details and clarifies that revenue and subsidies are calculated at a Scheme level, not per plant.

AnsweredQoN 1659Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 December 2013
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Western Australia’s desalination plants and ask: (a) how many desalination plants are in Western Australia; (b) where is each plant located; (c) what is the value of each plant; (d) who owns each plant; (e) who operates each plant; (f) how much water does each plant treat per year; (g) how many staff are employed at each plant; (h) what geographical areas are served by each plant; (i) how many customers does each plant serve; (j) how old is each plant; (k) what is the projected life-span of each plant; (l) what are the annual running costs for each plant; (m) what is the income generated by each plant from water rates or other fees; (n) is the operation of any plant subsidised by the State Government and if so, which plants are subsidised, and by how much; and (o) what is the value of the service provided by each plant to its customers?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
25 February 2014
Responded by
Minister for Water
Response time
82 days
(a)
There are two major desalination plants supplying Perth's Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS) and seven plants in regional Western Australia - a total of nine.
(b)
- (l) [See tabled paper no.]
(m) - (o) Desalination plants form part of a Scheme. A Scheme incorporates the plant, pipe infrastructure and transfer stations. Costs and charges are calculated at a Scheme level.
The desalination plants in isolation do not generate revenue from water rates or other fees, the Scheme does, and the operating subsidies and other requested information equally relates to the total Scheme rather than any part of it.

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