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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 786 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 August 2022 by Hon Dr Brad Pettitt

Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Water
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the Alumina Refinery Agreement Act 1961, an Act to approve and ratify an agreement entered into by the State with respect to the establishment of a refinery to produce alumina, and to provide for carrying the agreement into effect and for incidental and other purposes.:
(a) what is the current agreement with regards to access to potable water by Alcoa;
(b) how much potable water is consumed by Alcoa per annum in:
(i) the mine sites operations;
(ii) processing of bauxite; and
(iii) refining of bauxite
;
(c) what is/are the source/s of this water;
(d) is water taken from these sources under license;
(e) if yes to (d), please provide this license;
(f) does Alcoa pay for this water; and
(g) if yes to (f), how much?

Answered on 20 September 2022

(a) Potable water supplied from Water Corporation to Alcoa is predominantly during low rainfall years. It is provided via the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS) at by-law regulated rates. There is no specific agreement for these accounts.
(b) Water consumed -
i. Mine site operations - no potable supply from Water Corporation
ii. Alcoa processes and refines bauxite at Pinjarra, Wagerup and Kwinana. Average potable water consumption at:
Pinjarra - no potable supplied by Water Corporation
Wagerup - no potable supplied by Water Corporation
Kwinana - 615,912kL per annum
iii. Included in (ii)
(c) Potable water is sourced from Water Corporation via the IWSS.
(d) No
(e) Not applicable
(f) Yes
(g) Supply to the Kwinana site is provided under regulated pricing determined by the State Government under the “Metro non-residential” tariff. Currently $2.712 per kL.