MP claims treatment plant inaction causing harm to bay

A Broome wastewater treatment plant thought to be leaking excessive nutrients into groundwater and Roebuck Bay has become a political hot potato.

WA Greens MLC Robin Chapple has fired a salvo at Water Minister Mia Davies for refusing to acknowledge the plant near the 18-hole Broome Golf Course was the source of the pollution.

Mr Chapple believes the seepage has been contributing to increased blooms of blue green algae in the bay for 10 years.

He said the Water Corporation had been “painfully slow” to respond as leakage concerns were initially reported in 2012.

The Department of Environmental Regulation last year reclassified the plant as “contaminated – remediation required”.

“Roebuck Bay has experienced worsening blooms of the cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula over the last decade, possibly due to an excess of nitrogen and phosphorous in groundwater,” Mr Chapple said.

“Whilst I appreciate there are seasonal variations, I question why an investigation started in 2014 will not be completed until at least 2018.

“Acknowledge the site is contaminated, put serious measures in place immediately to stop the situation from worsening and then investigate, not vice versa.”

The Water Corporation said existing data could not determine if the plant was leaking nutrients into Roebuck Bay but it has taken interim measures to reduce the likelihood of contribution to pollution.

These include fast tracking a project to fully line a holding pond to contain wastewater at the plant, replacing two existing unlined ponds, reducing wastewater application to the Broome Golf Course by 50 per cent and conducting environmental investigations overseen by an independent auditor.

Ms Davies said she understood the Water Corporation was taking steps to reduce potential leakages at the plant.

“Water Corporation will continue to consult with the Department of Environment Regulation, the Shire of Broome and community groups on this important issue,” she said.