Chemical treatment to begin on lead in Perth Children’s Hospital water

BRASS fittings are the key source of lead leaching at the Perth Children’s Hospital, rather than the “dead leg” old pipe in the ring main, the state government says.

The government says chemical treatment to reduce lead levels will begin this week, but there is still no date for the hospital’s opening.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt and Health Minister Roger Cook released a technical report into the ongoing issue on Wednesday.

On the recommendation of Jacobs (supported by ChemCentre, Building Commission and WA Health’s Public Health Division), Treasury has engaged water quality specialist Nalco to treat the water to inhibit lead leaching and dezincification.

Tetra Potassium Polysulphate (K4P2O7) will be injected into the water to achieve a pre-determined concentration, reacting with metals in the brass fittings.

K4P2O7 is a Public Health Division-approved drinking water additive.

Treatment by Nalco will commence this week.