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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2343 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 August 2019 by Hon Jacqui Boydell

Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Water
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the recent National Waste Water report, dated April 2019, and I ask:
(a) can the Minister confirm the sites where testing was undertaken in regional Western Australia;
(b) as methamphetamine is water soluable, is the Minister aware of any scientific concern that recycled waste water could contain methamphetamine; and
(c) if yes to (b), has the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation commissioned the Chemistry Centre WA or a university to undertake research in this area?

Answered on 17 September 2019

(a) This component of the question should be directed to the Minister for Police.

(b) No.

To date results from research undertaken by the Water Corporation with Curtin University into the removal of methamphetamine by wastewater treatment processes indicates high levels of removal.  

Secondary treatment of wastewater removes at least 95% of methamphetamines. Secondary treated wastewater is discharge or recycled for non-potable use such as irrigation of ovals and golf courses.  The treatment processes for wastewater to be used for groundwater replenishment are highly advanced and very effective, with at least 99% of methamphetamines being removed.

(c) Not applicable