❓ The WA Department of Health monitors drinking water quality in remote Aboriginal communities and collects epidemiological data on notifiable infectious diseases. Exceedances of nitrates have been recorded in several communities, and E. coli is rarely detected but addressed immediately.
AnsweredQoN 2173Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the Department of Health oversee
the monitoring of drinking water quality in remote Aboriginal communities in
Western Australia? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) If yes to (1): (a) how
long has such monitoring been undertaken and with what frequency; (b) have any
elevated levels of nitrates, radiation or biological pollutants been detected
in any of these water supplies; and (c) if yes to (b), in which
communities have exceedances of water quality standards been recorded and what
remedial action has been taken? (4) Does
the Department of Health collect epidemiological data on diseases in remote
Aboriginal communities that may be related to poor water quality? (5) if no to (4), why not? (6) if yes to (4), where may this data be viewed?
the monitoring of drinking water quality in remote Aboriginal communities in
Western Australia? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) If yes to (1): (a) how
long has such monitoring been undertaken and with what frequency; (b) have any
elevated levels of nitrates, radiation or biological pollutants been detected
in any of these water supplies; and (c) if yes to (b), in which
communities have exceedances of water quality standards been recorded and what
remedial action has been taken? (4) Does
the Department of Health collect epidemiological data on diseases in remote
Aboriginal communities that may be related to poor water quality? (5) if no to (4), why not? (6) if yes to (4), where may this data be viewed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
4 days
1. Yes.
2. N/A
3.
(a) Monitoring has occurred for the last fifteen years typically monthly.
(b - c) No radiation has been detected.
Where exceedances of nitrates are detected, communities and associated stakeholders are notified in writing and are advised and supported with suitable mitigation strategies. Exceedances for nitrates have been recorded in drinking water at: Blackstone, Cosmo Newberry, Jameson, Mt. Margaret, Mulga Queen, Patjarr, Tjuntjuntjara, Wanarn, Warburton, Wingellina, Mulan, Pandanus Park, Jigalong, Kunawarritji, Kutkabubba, Wandanooka, Yulga Jinna. Not all exceedances have rendered water undrinkable.
E. coli bacteria is rarely detected in remote community drinking water supplies. If detection occurs the community and associated stakeholders are notified in writing immediately and advised and supported with suitable mitigation strategies. All E. coli detections are investigated to ascertain the cause and are rectified rapidly on site by operational personnel.
4. The Department of Health collects epidemiological data on all notifiable infectious diseases notified in Western Australia per the Public Health Act 2016 and the Public Health Regulations 2017 .
5. N/A
6. Notifiable infectious disease data is available in a public dashboard on the Department of Health website. Data specific to remote Aboriginal communities is not available due to low numbers making cases potentially identifiable.
2. N/A
3.
(a) Monitoring has occurred for the last fifteen years typically monthly.
(b - c) No radiation has been detected.
Where exceedances of nitrates are detected, communities and associated stakeholders are notified in writing and are advised and supported with suitable mitigation strategies. Exceedances for nitrates have been recorded in drinking water at: Blackstone, Cosmo Newberry, Jameson, Mt. Margaret, Mulga Queen, Patjarr, Tjuntjuntjara, Wanarn, Warburton, Wingellina, Mulan, Pandanus Park, Jigalong, Kunawarritji, Kutkabubba, Wandanooka, Yulga Jinna. Not all exceedances have rendered water undrinkable.
E. coli bacteria is rarely detected in remote community drinking water supplies. If detection occurs the community and associated stakeholders are notified in writing immediately and advised and supported with suitable mitigation strategies. All E. coli detections are investigated to ascertain the cause and are rectified rapidly on site by operational personnel.
4. The Department of Health collects epidemiological data on all notifiable infectious diseases notified in Western Australia per the Public Health Act 2016 and the Public Health Regulations 2017 .
5. N/A
6. Notifiable infectious disease data is available in a public dashboard on the Department of Health website. Data specific to remote Aboriginal communities is not available due to low numbers making cases potentially identifiable.
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