❓ The WA parliamentary question addresses arsenic contamination in groundwater near Cockburn Sound, with Wesfarmers CSBP preparing a remediation plan under DEP and WRC oversight. The DEP enforces a 'polluter pays' principle, requiring occupiers to manage and remediate contamination.
AnsweredQoN 20Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(2) Yes. I seek leave to table the report. See tabled paper. (3) It is possible that groundwater containing low levels of arsenic is entering Cockburn Sound. The concentration of arsenic in the shallow monitoring bore closest to Cockburn Sound is 0.015mg/L and in the deep monitoring bore is 0.003mg/L. The natural background concentration of arsenic in groundwater in this area varies between 0.002 and 0.004 mg/L arsenic. (4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore. (5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(3) It is possible that groundwater containing low levels of arsenic is entering Cockburn Sound. The concentration of arsenic in the shallow monitoring bore closest to Cockburn Sound is 0.015mg/L and in the deep monitoring bore is 0.003mg/L. The natural background concentration of arsenic in groundwater in this area varies between 0.002 and 0.004 mg/L arsenic. (4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore. (5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore. (5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(3) It is possible that groundwater containing low levels of arsenic is entering Cockburn Sound. The concentration of arsenic in the shallow monitoring bore closest to Cockburn Sound is 0.015mg/L and in the deep monitoring bore is 0.003mg/L. The natural background concentration of arsenic in groundwater in this area varies between 0.002 and 0.004 mg/L arsenic. (4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore. (5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore. (5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle. (6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2001
Responded by
Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
28 days
(1) Yes. Wesfarmers CSBP has prepared a remediation action plan for the approval of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Water and Rivers Commission (WRC). Wesfarmers CSBP has liaised with the public and presented a summary of the investigation and remediation in an open forum. This plan is currently being reviewed by the DEP and WRC.
(2) Yes. I seek leave to table the report. See tabled paper.
(3) It is possible that groundwater containing low levels of arsenic is entering Cockburn Sound. The concentration of arsenic in the shallow monitoring bore closest to Cockburn Sound is 0.015mg/L and in the deep monitoring bore is 0.003mg/L. The natural background concentration of arsenic in groundwater in this area varies between 0.002 and 0.004 mg/L arsenic.
(4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore.
(5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle.
(6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
(2) Yes. I seek leave to table the report. See tabled paper.
(3) It is possible that groundwater containing low levels of arsenic is entering Cockburn Sound. The concentration of arsenic in the shallow monitoring bore closest to Cockburn Sound is 0.015mg/L and in the deep monitoring bore is 0.003mg/L. The natural background concentration of arsenic in groundwater in this area varies between 0.002 and 0.004 mg/L arsenic.
(4) Three distinct zones have been identified covering an area of about 4.1 hectares contained in the upper groundwater aquifer. The highest concentration of arsenic in groundwater in the most recent monitoring sampling program is 130 mg/L in one bore.
(5) The DEP has not carried out sampling of the contamination. The DEP requires occupiers of premises to conduct monitoring and sampling, to established protocols and then remediate contamination to criteria set by DEP. This is consistent with the polluter pays principle.
(6) Wesfarmers CSBP contracted the professional services of a consultant to prepare the remediation plan. The Chemistry Centre WA analysed the groundwater monitoring samples for arsenic concentrations.
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