❓ Hon. Philip Scott questions the Minister for Water regarding the future sourcing and cost of fluorosilicic acid for water fluoridation following the closure of CSBP Kwinana's superphosphate plant. The Minister provides information on sourcing and costs.
AnsweredQoN 567Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Water—Fluorosilicic acid
567. Hon Philip Scott to
the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Water:
The Department of
Health website states that fluorosilicic acid and sodium fluoride are the compounds
containing fluoride added to Western Australia's drinking water supplies. The
department goes on to confirm that fluorosilicic acid is sourced as a
by-product from superphosphate production, and that the fluorosilicic acid used
in WA comes from CSBP Kwinana. However, in February this year, CSBP Kwinana
announced the shutdown of its superphosphate manufacturing plant. Given this is
the case, I ask the following.
(1) From whom will the government source fluorosilicic
acid moving forward?
(2) What was the total annual cost to the taxpayer
for the purchasing of CSBP Kwinana's superphosphate waste product?
(3) How much do households pay through water rates
for water fluoridation?
567. Hon Philip Scott to
the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Water:
The Department of
Health website states that fluorosilicic acid and sodium fluoride are the compounds
containing fluoride added to Western Australia's drinking water supplies. The
department goes on to confirm that fluorosilicic acid is sourced as a
by-product from superphosphate production, and that the fluorosilicic acid used
in WA comes from CSBP Kwinana. However, in February this year, CSBP Kwinana
announced the shutdown of its superphosphate manufacturing plant. Given this is
the case, I ask the following.
(1) From whom will the government source fluorosilicic
acid moving forward?
(2) What was the total annual cost to the taxpayer
for the purchasing of CSBP Kwinana's superphosphate waste product?
(3) How much do households pay through water rates
for water fluoridation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) CSBP has been providing Water Corporation with
a mix of locally manufactured and imported product. The Water Corporation will
continue to source imported fluorosilicic acid from CSBP.
(2) The cost of purchasing fluorosilicic acid from
CSBP for Water Corporation for the financial year 2024–25 was $2.7 million.
(3) Water Corporation's water services charges
cover the costs of providing clean and safe drinking water in Western
Australia. The costs associated with water fluoridation are accounted for in
these charges.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) CSBP has been providing Water Corporation with
a mix of locally manufactured and imported product. The Water Corporation will
continue to source imported fluorosilicic acid from CSBP.
(2) The cost of purchasing fluorosilicic acid from
CSBP for Water Corporation for the financial year 2024–25 was $2.7 million.
(3) Water Corporation's water services charges
cover the costs of providing clean and safe drinking water in Western
Australia. The costs associated with water fluoridation are accounted for in
these charges.
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