❓ Hon Jim Scott questions the Minister for the Environment regarding hydrocarbon contamination near the Henderson Landfill, specifically concerning a resident's complaints and exceedances of EPA Drinking Water Guidelines. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines actions taken by the DEP, including investigations and engagement with the City of Cockburn.
AnsweredQoN 1728Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Further to question on notice No. 1314 of October 22 2003 -
The monitoring results tabled by the Minister for the Henderson Landfill facility indicate that in 2001 and 2002 levels of Toluene, Xylene, PAHs and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons were either exceeding, or at the, EPA Drinking Water Guidelines at the MP2 Rockingham Road monitoring bore -
(1) Is the Minister aware that this monitoring bore is adjacent to 900 Rockingham Road and that this resident has made complaints about hydrocarbon contamination of her groundwater?
(2) What action has the DoE taken to identify the source of the excessive levels of hydrocarbons revealed in the monitoring results from the MP2 bore given that it has occurred for over a year?
(3) Will the Minister table any correspondence between the DoE and the owners/managers of the Henderson Landfill facility regarding these exceedences of EPA Drinking Water Guidelines?
The monitoring results tabled by the Minister for the Henderson Landfill facility indicate that in 2001 and 2002 levels of Toluene, Xylene, PAHs and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons were either exceeding, or at the, EPA Drinking Water Guidelines at the MP2 Rockingham Road monitoring bore -
(1) Is the Minister aware that this monitoring bore is adjacent to 900 Rockingham Road and that this resident has made complaints about hydrocarbon contamination of her groundwater?
(2) What action has the DoE taken to identify the source of the excessive levels of hydrocarbons revealed in the monitoring results from the MP2 bore given that it has occurred for over a year?
(3) Will the Minister table any correspondence between the DoE and the owners/managers of the Henderson Landfill facility regarding these exceedences of EPA Drinking Water Guidelines?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
29 days
(1) Yes, I am aware the monitoring bore is adjacent to 900 Rockingham Road. The resident of this address has made complaints to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) related to potential contamination of her bore. The DEP sampled her bore and all parameters were below the relevant drinking water guidelines. These results have been supplied to the concerned resident. (2) The DEP has conducted its own monitoring of bore MP2 and a number of surrounding bores. Review of the monitoring results for MP2 indicates no elevated levels of BTEX but total petroleum hydrocarbons are elevated. There are no drinking water or aquatic ecosystems, freshwater guidelines for total petroleum hydrocarbons. It should be noted that the location of this monitoring bore is in the middle of the median strip of Rockingham Road and therefore road runoff may be the cause of the elevated total hydrocarbon level. The City of Cockburn, on request by the DEP have engaged a suitably qualified consultant to consolidate and analyse historical monitoring data collected at the site as part of its operating licence. The report is to be submitted to the DEP to determine whether the landfill is having any impact on the environment or off-site. (3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
(2) The DEP has conducted its own monitoring of bore MP2 and a number of surrounding bores. Review of the monitoring results for MP2 indicates no elevated levels of BTEX but total petroleum hydrocarbons are elevated. There are no drinking water or aquatic ecosystems, freshwater guidelines for total petroleum hydrocarbons. It should be noted that the location of this monitoring bore is in the middle of the median strip of Rockingham Road and therefore road runoff may be the cause of the elevated total hydrocarbon level. The City of Cockburn, on request by the DEP have engaged a suitably qualified consultant to consolidate and analyse historical monitoring data collected at the site as part of its operating licence. The report is to be submitted to the DEP to determine whether the landfill is having any impact on the environment or off-site. (3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
The City of Cockburn, on request by the DEP have engaged a suitably qualified consultant to consolidate and analyse historical monitoring data collected at the site as part of its operating licence. The report is to be submitted to the DEP to determine whether the landfill is having any impact on the environment or off-site. (3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
(3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
(2) The DEP has conducted its own monitoring of bore MP2 and a number of surrounding bores. Review of the monitoring results for MP2 indicates no elevated levels of BTEX but total petroleum hydrocarbons are elevated. There are no drinking water or aquatic ecosystems, freshwater guidelines for total petroleum hydrocarbons. It should be noted that the location of this monitoring bore is in the middle of the median strip of Rockingham Road and therefore road runoff may be the cause of the elevated total hydrocarbon level. The City of Cockburn, on request by the DEP have engaged a suitably qualified consultant to consolidate and analyse historical monitoring data collected at the site as part of its operating licence. The report is to be submitted to the DEP to determine whether the landfill is having any impact on the environment or off-site. (3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
The City of Cockburn, on request by the DEP have engaged a suitably qualified consultant to consolidate and analyse historical monitoring data collected at the site as part of its operating licence. The report is to be submitted to the DEP to determine whether the landfill is having any impact on the environment or off-site. (3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
(3) No, there is no correspondence relating to exceedences of the Environmental Protection Authority Drinking Water Guidelines. However, the DEP has met with representatives of the City of Cockburn to discuss issues relating to annual monitoring requirements.
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