❓ Question regarding arsenic contamination in Stirling and Balcatta groundwater, specifically its origin and potential impact of agricultural activities. The response indicates a natural origin exacerbated by development and low rainfall, with a report to be released.
AnsweredQoN 1085Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the high levels of ground water contamination from arsenic in the Stirling and Balcatta areas, and given that acid conditions from swamp peat could release arsenic from natural or pollutant sources - (1) Has the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health undertaken an investigation into whether the arsenic originates from a natural or artificial human-made source; and, if so, what are the details of the investigation? (2) Will the results of the investigation be made publicly available; and, if so, when? (3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(1) Has the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health undertaken an investigation into whether the arsenic originates from a natural or artificial human-made source; and, if so, what are the details of the investigation? (2) Will the results of the investigation be made publicly available; and, if so, when? (3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(2) Will the results of the investigation be made publicly available; and, if so, when? (3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(1) Has the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health undertaken an investigation into whether the arsenic originates from a natural or artificial human-made source; and, if so, what are the details of the investigation? (2) Will the results of the investigation be made publicly available; and, if so, when? (3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(2) Will the results of the investigation be made publicly available; and, if so, when? (3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(3) Where the source of arsenic contamination occurs at levels exceeding the national drinking water guideline values for arsenic, has it occurred as a result of past or present agricultural activities in the area; and, if so, what are those activities? (4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(4) If the source of arsenic was human made, does the Water and Rivers Commission or the Department of Health know the location and geographic extent of the source; and, if so, what is it? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has advised that the Water and Rivers Commission has undertaken soil sampling and carried out drilling to identify the sources of arsenic contamination. The investigations are still in progress, but information to date indicates that the arsenic is of natural origin and has been leached into ground water by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in peaty soils exposed to air by de-watering and excavation. (2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(2) Yes. A report on the current investigations will be available in March 2002. (3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(3) The arsenic contamination in ground water has almost certainly not resulted from past agricultural activities. (4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
(4) Information to date indicates the arsenic is of natural origin. It has been released into the ground water as a result of de-watering and the excavation of peat for housing developments; excavation of artificial lakes in public parks; and the watertable being exceptionally low due to recent low rainfall. The known arsenic contamination of ground water is restricted to a small area in Stirling where ground water is acidic.
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