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❓ A parliamentary question on notice regarding elevated lead levels in the Perth Children's Hospital's water supply in 2016 and the timing of when the Treasurer was informed. The Minister's response refers to tabled documents and investigations already in the public record.

AnsweredQoN 4892Legislative Assembly

Asked

13 March 2019

Member

Mr W.R. Marmion

Portfolio

Finance

QuestionView source ↗

(1) I refer to the answer to Question on Notice 4403 which states that the Treasurer was first advised of elevated lead levels in the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) on 5 September 2016 and that he was further advised on 10 October 2016 that all water entering the PCH was lead free: (a) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by Merieux NutriSciences on 17 June 2016, at the Interior North Main Feed, recorded a reading of 0.011 mg/l, which is 10% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; (b) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by ALS Environmental Services on 13 July 2016, at the North Tunnel Potable Water Inlet, recorded a reading of 0.073 mg/l, which is 730% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; (c) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by ALS Environmental Services on 27 July 2016, at the Interior North Main Feed, recorded a reading of 0.013 mg/l, which is 30% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; (d) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by Zedcon NATA Testing Facility on 7 September 2016, at the Potable Water South Feed, recorded a reading of 0.019 mg/l, which is 90% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; (e) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by Zedcon NATA Testing Facility on 14 September 2016, at the Potable Water South Feed, recorded a reading of 0.016 mg/l, which is 60% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; (f) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by Zedcon NATA Testing Facility on 16 September 2016, at the Potable Water South Feed, recorded a reading of 0.015 mg/l, which is 50% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline; and (g) Can the Minister confirm that testing for lead by Zedcon NATA Testing Facility on 16 September 2016, at the Water Corp Incoming Northern Feed, recorded a reading of 0.046 mg/l, which is 460% above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline? (2) Why was there a delay of more than 2 months before the Treasurer was advised of the issue of elevated lead levels in the water reticulation system at PCH? (3) Why was the Treasurer advised that water entering the PCH was lead free when seven (7) test results taken of incoming water to the PCH between 17 June and 16 September had levels above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline? (4) Was any further investigation or water testing undertaken to determine why testing showed elevated lead levels in the incoming water source to the PCH in 2016 and if so what was the outcome of this investigation?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

7 May 2019

Responded by

Minister for Finance

Response time

11 days

(1) (a-g) The results have been tabled in this place and are a matter of public record [see tabled paper no. 2198].
(2) Commissioning is an iterative process and it is not uncommon for installation particles and debris to be present in the initial water quality test results for newly constructed buildings. The Treasurer was advised when it became apparent that the lead exceedances were unlikely to be resolved through the normal commissioning process.
(3) The results detailed in tabled paper no. 2198 demonstrate there were no systemic issues with the incoming water supply at the time the Treasurer was advised.
(4) Yes. The results of the investigations carried out by the Chief Health Officer and Building Commissioner are a matter of public record.

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