PFAS
Recently LPSC participated in the NSW Health arranged PFAS screening for all its Water Supplies. Under the program Council undertook sampling from the Quipolly Dam treated water supply, Blackville bore treated water supply, Caroona bore treated water supply, Premer bore treated water supply, Spring Ridge bore treated water supply, Wallabadah bore treated water supply and the Quirindi bore treated water supply. Samples were also taken within the distribution systems from the Willow Tree rising main, and Walhallow rising main between 4th December and 6th December 2024.
Results from that testing is summarised in this document: LPSC-supplies-Dec-24-results.pdf(PDF, 133KB)
Note that results for all supplies are below the Level of Detection for the current, and the draft guideline values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water released by the National Health & Medical Research Council.
At this stage NSW Health has not recommended any further PFAS testing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the mid-1900s. They have unique physical and chemical properties that make them very good at resisting heat, stains, grease, and water. However, they do not easily breakdown in the environment.
PFAS chemicals have been used in hundreds of everyday household and industrial products. This includes sunscreens, cosmetics, clothing, carpet, non-stick cookware, paint, dental floss, food packaging, feminine hygiene products, thread tape, fertilisers and pesticides used in agriculture.
They have also been used in firefighting foam that has often been used in training exercises at some airports.
Unfortunately, due to their widespread use and production, and their difficulty in breaking down, PFAS chemicals have been found across the globe. Low levels of PFAS chemicals are in the environment, particularly in urban areas, but even in remote places such as the Antarctic. They have been detected in forests, mountains, rivers and oceans, animals, and humans.
Different drinking water quality parameters are tested daily to help make operational decisions locally, with weekly and fortnightly verification testing undertaken by NSW Health labs. This testing meets the requirements of NSW Health and the Liverpool Plains SC Drinking Water Management System. Council is not currently required to test for Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) compounds in its drinking water under the current guidelines.
Drinking water complies with the Council’s Drinking Water Management System, and the guidelines and directions from NSW Health and the Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water. NSW Health do not require the Council to test for PFAs and its compounds as an ongoing test.
No. PFAs and their associated compounds are non-soluble meaning they do not break down in water over time. The only effective method to remove the compounds has been shown to be through Activated Carbon Filtration, Reverse Osmosis, and Ion Exchange (such as in Water Softening processes).
Controlling PFAS at the source (i.e. controlling if it is used in firefighting foams and everyday products), and preventing it entering raw water sources, is generally lower cost, less energy intensive and more effective than implementing treatment technology to remove PFAS from drinking water.
For more information:
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Fact Sheet
The NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program
PFAS and drinking water - information and updates | NSW Government