Plumbing Connection Summer 2017

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2 4 PLUMBING CONNECTION Summer 2017
BRASSED OFF IN PERTH
I n what is hoped will be the last
word on the problem-plagued
construction of Perth Children’s
Hospital, a review by the Chief Health
Officer (CHO) has deduced the cause of
lead in the drinking water supply.
The results of the data analysis and
investigation, published in Report on
Perth Children’s Hospital Potable Water,
Chief Health Officer Review, July 2017,
indicated:
1. “the source of the lead in the
water is from brass fittings that
have undergone a process of
dezincification;
2. many of these brass fittings are
located within approximately 1200
Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV)
Assembly Boxes, located within
a metre or two of drinking water
outlets; and
3. phosphate treatment has been
partially but not sufficiently effective
in reducing lead levels.”
The summary of the findings included
observation of surface deterioration
on the brass fittings of some TMV
assembly boxes which was identified
as dezincification. What is also of
concern is that “some components of
the TMV assembly boxes lack Australian
Standard identifying markings and
appear to be deviations from specified
and approved materials”.
The report goes on to point out that:
“The findings around lack of
important documentation,… may in
part explain why the problem with the
TMV Assembly Boxes was not identified
earlier. For example, the chlorination
process was poorly overseen, poorly
documented, and then was not
examined strenuously nor as a matter
of urgency in the period following
identification of the lead in water issue,
despite its clear link to dezincification.
Put another way, failures of the contract
management and assurance function
during the construction phase may
underpin both the emergence of the
problem and the failure to identify and
address it in a timely fashion.”
The full report can be found here:
Files/Corporate/Reports%20and%20
publications/Perth-Childrens-Hospital/
CHO-PCH-Report.ashx
Since the report’s release, official
word from Perth Children’s Hospital
(PCH) still has no clear indication when
the facility will be officially opened - it
is unlikely to be in 2017 - but ‘work
is continuing at PCH to complete the
water remediation activity as soon as
possible’ (as at September 14, 2017).
A Potable Water Remediation (PWR)
Working Group has been established for
daily monitoring of the progress. The
Western Australian Health Minister has
advised that by November a timetable
will be established for the opening of the
hospital.
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WEIGHED DOWN BY LEAD
A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS:
FEB 2010 Western Australian government announces the Perth Children’s Hospital
project will go ahead
JULY 2011 John Holland is awarded the construction tender
JANUARY 2012 The first sods of dirt are turned to commence construction
SEPTEMBER 2013 Pressure mounts to add more floors and wards to the original design
JUNE 2015 Rumblings are heard that many contractors haven’t been paid and owed
significant amounts of money
MARCH 2016 A complete section of water pipes fail, requiring full replacement
APRIL 2016 900 fire door frames are found to be non-compliant.
The CEO of the hospital resigns
MAY 2016 The first traces of lead are found, but nothing is said publicly. Replacement of
the iconic green interior panels is required after many are damaged in-transit.
MAY 2016 A section of the basement is flooded when pipes fail
JULY 2016 Concerns for worker safety are raised when traces of asbestos are found in
non-compliant roof panels
AUGUST 2016 An official opening date is yet to be determined
SEPTEMBER 2016 Official recognition of the presence of lead in the potable water, but no reasons
are given
DECEMBER 2016 The whole plumbing system is given a flush-out to see if fixes the lead
problem. It didn’t.
APRIL 2017 John Holland is given the bill for the lead issue. Phosphate is given a go to
flush out the problem. Worked a little.
APRIL 2017 Blame for the lead is put on the water supply in the medical precinct and brass
fittings
MAY 2017 First indications from a government report suggest that dezincification in
brass fittings may be the root cause in the Jacobs Report
JUNE 2017 Another CEO resigns
JUNE 2017 An official inquiry is launched to be conducted by the CHO. There is growing
evidence that some stainless steel is corroding rapidly
JULY 2017
It’s official. The Chief Health Officer report conducts thorough testing to
show that the brass fittings in thermostatic mixing valve assembly boxes are
suffering dezincification, elevating the levels of lead in some 1200 units and
will need to be fully replaced.
SEPTEMBER 2017 Legal advisors to WA government suggest that John Holland may be liable to
pay $42.5m for delay penalties in completing the build