❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for the Environment regarding a notice issued to Power West Pty Ltd concerning pollution from a washdown bay. The Minister confirms the details and provides explanations for the actions taken by the Department of Environmental Protection.
AnsweredQoN 1651Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter which I understand is dated 14 July 2003 from the Dept of Environmental Protection addressed to the Director, Power West Pty Ltd in Kalgoorlie, titled ‘Notice to show cause regarding overflow of washdown bay and disposal of contaminated matter.’ -
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated 14 July 2003 states ‘I believe that the historical overflow from the washdown bay, disposal of contaminated water from the same bay into the rear of the property at Lot 43 Great Eastern Highway, Kalgoorlie is likely to cause pollution. It is an offence under section 49 and 50 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
to cause pollution, or to discharge waste in circumstances in which it is likely to cause pollution. These offences carry a penalty up to $1 000 000, with a daily penalty of up to $200 000. Therefore I instruct you to immediately cease using the washdown bay until you ensure that overflow is not occurring. Furthermore, the waste water from this process that is likely to contain hydrocarbons should be collected by an authorised company. It appears from my inspection that the design of the washdown bay is deficient. The washdown bay has no sediment trap, which results in the triple interceptor being clogged. The clogging of the interceptors is preventing the effective treatment of waste water and causing them to overflow. Whilst it is acknowledged that a bund exists around the triple interceptor, soil discolouration would indicate that this bund has historically overflown.
(2) Furthermore the bund around the washdown pad appears inadequate. Runoff, again with hydrocarbons is going over the bund during washdown activities. This bund needs to be improved.
(3) With an appropriately designed and maintained washdown bay the water could be reutilised around your site, reducing the costs associated with purchase of water and the disposal of waste.
(4) During my inspection you informed me that water from this process was dumped at the rear of the property. This practice is unacceptable and must cease. Also during my inspection an area of contamination was evident around some historic elevated storage tanks. This contaminated soil should be recovered and disposed of at an approved facility.’?
(5) If no to (1) will the Minister table a copy of the letter dated 14 July 2003?
(6) Can the Minister explain why the officer believed that the historical overflow from the washdown bay is likely to cause pollution as defined under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(7) If no to (3) why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain the rationale as to why the waste water which was likely to contain hydrocarbons needed to be collected by an authorised company?
(9) If no to (5) why not?
(10) Can the Minister explain the factual reasons as to why the officer believed that the waste water was likely to contain hydrocarbons?
(11) If no to (7) why not?
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated 14 July 2003 states ‘I believe that the historical overflow from the washdown bay, disposal of contaminated water from the same bay into the rear of the property at Lot 43 Great Eastern Highway, Kalgoorlie is likely to cause pollution. It is an offence under section 49 and 50 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
to cause pollution, or to discharge waste in circumstances in which it is likely to cause pollution. These offences carry a penalty up to $1 000 000, with a daily penalty of up to $200 000. Therefore I instruct you to immediately cease using the washdown bay until you ensure that overflow is not occurring. Furthermore, the waste water from this process that is likely to contain hydrocarbons should be collected by an authorised company. It appears from my inspection that the design of the washdown bay is deficient. The washdown bay has no sediment trap, which results in the triple interceptor being clogged. The clogging of the interceptors is preventing the effective treatment of waste water and causing them to overflow. Whilst it is acknowledged that a bund exists around the triple interceptor, soil discolouration would indicate that this bund has historically overflown.
(2) Furthermore the bund around the washdown pad appears inadequate. Runoff, again with hydrocarbons is going over the bund during washdown activities. This bund needs to be improved.
(3) With an appropriately designed and maintained washdown bay the water could be reutilised around your site, reducing the costs associated with purchase of water and the disposal of waste.
(4) During my inspection you informed me that water from this process was dumped at the rear of the property. This practice is unacceptable and must cease. Also during my inspection an area of contamination was evident around some historic elevated storage tanks. This contaminated soil should be recovered and disposed of at an approved facility.’?
(5) If no to (1) will the Minister table a copy of the letter dated 14 July 2003?
(6) Can the Minister explain why the officer believed that the historical overflow from the washdown bay is likely to cause pollution as defined under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(7) If no to (3) why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain the rationale as to why the waste water which was likely to contain hydrocarbons needed to be collected by an authorised company?
(9) If no to (5) why not?
(10) Can the Minister explain the factual reasons as to why the officer believed that the waste water was likely to contain hydrocarbons?
(11) If no to (7) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
90 days
(1-4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) The Inspector noted the colour of the soil adjacent to the washdown bay which suggested that overflow had occurred. Given the time, place and circumstances, the Inspector required the company to cease the practice until an investigation could be completed. (7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The Inspector noted the colour of the soil adjacent to the washdown bay which suggested that overflow had occurred. Given the time, place and circumstances, the Inspector required the company to cease the practice until an investigation could be completed. (7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(6) The Inspector noted the colour of the soil adjacent to the washdown bay which suggested that overflow had occurred. Given the time, place and circumstances, the Inspector required the company to cease the practice until an investigation could be completed. (7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(11) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The Inspector noted the colour of the soil adjacent to the washdown bay which suggested that overflow had occurred. Given the time, place and circumstances, the Inspector required the company to cease the practice until an investigation could be completed. (7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(6) The Inspector noted the colour of the soil adjacent to the washdown bay which suggested that overflow had occurred. Given the time, place and circumstances, the Inspector required the company to cease the practice until an investigation could be completed. (7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(8) Hydrocarbon contaminated waste water, depending on the concentration of hydrocarbon contamination, can be considered a Controlled Waste under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001. The waste generator has the responsibility to ensure this waste water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. (9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable. (10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(10) The washdown bay was being used to wash down ancillary mining equipment, in particular, drill rigs and ancillary machinery. By its nature, this equipment will contain low levels of hydrocarbons. (11) Not applicable.
(11) Not applicable.
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