The state government plans to replace multiple valves in the new Perth Children’s Hospital after a report confirmed the cause of ongoing lead contamination at the trouble-plagued project, wth the extra work to push the hospital’s opening date beyond this year.
The chief health officer has identified the main ongoing cause of lead in the water supply at PCH to be dezincification of brass fittings located within thermostatic mixing valve assembly boxes, which are located near drinking water outlets in the hospital.
The plan now is to remove and replace the TMV assembly boxes, the cost of which has not been disclosed.
“It is with great disappointment, given the work that now needs to be undertaken, the hospital will not open this year, however, we are on a clear path forward to rectify this issue,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.
"We are moving forward to resolve the issue. The Department of Health, the Department of Finance and the Building Commission will develop a plan to remove the TMV assembly boxes.
"I remain committed to restoring the faith of the public in Perth Children's Hospital, so children and families can rely on the hospital for years to come."
The Labor government identified the dezincification of brass fittings as a potential source of the lead contamination not long after it won the election.
That was backed by building commissioner Peter Gow, who in April released a detailed report that found multiple sources of lead contamination at the PCH site, but the most significant of those was the dezincification of the brass fittings.
Head contractor building the new hospital, John Holland, previously argued that the water being supplied to the site from the QEII ring main was the primary cause of the lead contamination.
