Water—Fluorosilicic acid
567. Hon Philip Scottto theLeader of the House representing the Minister for Water:
The Department of Health website states that fluorosilicic acid and sodium fluoride are the compounds containing fluoride added to Western Australia's drinking water supplies. The department goes on to confirm that fluorosilicic acid is sourced as a by-product from superphosphate production, and that the fluorosilicic acid used in WA comes from CSBP Kwinana. However, in February this year, CSBP Kwinana announced the shutdown of its superphosphate manufacturing plant. Given this is the case, I ask the following.
(1) From whom will the government source fluorosilicic acid moving forward?
(2) What was the total annual cost to the taxpayer for the purchasing of CSBP Kwinana's superphosphate waste product?
(3) How much do households pay through water rates for water fluoridation?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for Water.
(1) CSBP has been providing Water Corporation with a mix of locally manufactured and imported product. The Water Corporation will continue to source imported fluorosilicic acid from CSBP.
(2) The cost of purchasing fluorosilicic acid from CSBP for Water Corporation for the financial year 2024–25 was $2.7 million.
(3) Water Corporation's water services charges cover the costs of providing clean and safe drinking water in Western Australia. The costs associated with water fluoridation are accounted for in these charges.
