Kwinana industrial air buffer zone - Alcoa activities

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Thursday, 1 December 2011]
p10308a-10308a
Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Helen Morton

KWINANA INDUSTRIAL AIR BUFFER ZONE — ALCOA ACTIVITIES

1125. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Water:

I refer to the minister’s response to questions, some of which were asked on notice on 18 October, about the
Kwinana industrial air buffer zone.

(1) Does the department expect that Alcoa’s activities will have an impact on surface water or groundwater
in the buffer area?

(2) If yes to (1), what possible impacts may arise?

(3) If no to (1), why not?

(4) Are there any water quality monitoring bores in the buffer area?

(5) If yes to (4), how many, and how often is the water in each bore tested for contaminants?

(6) If no to (4), does the department intend to install monitoring bores; and, if so, when, and does the
department intend to request Alcoa to install monitoring bores; and, if so, when?

(7) Is Alcoa obliged to act on a request from the Department of Water?

Hon HELEN MORTON replied:

I thank the member for some notice of the question.

(1) Any potential impacts on water are assessed before a water licence is issued and are monitored as a
condition of licence.

(2) There is a potential reduction in groundwater levels as a result of pumping and the potential movement
of the coastal saline wedge inland.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) Yes.

(5) There are 287 monitoring bores. Testing for contaminants is undertaken in accordance with Department
of Environment and Conservation licensing under part V of the Environmental Protection Act.

(6) Not applicable.

(7) Yes, if it is made in relation to a condition of a licence to take groundwater issued under the Rights in
Water and Irrigation Act 1914.