Tuggerah Lakes PFAS ambient sampling program

This 6-month program will sample for different types of PFAS to help us understand the distribution and concentration of background PFAS in the Central Coast lake system. Data may help to inform future policies and programs to manage PFAS risks and reduce human exposure.

Background

There are a number of activities within the catchment associated with PFAS including landfills, historic use of firefighting foams, on-site sewage management systems, large infrastructure and maintenance facilities, and power stations.

In 2019, investigations found PFAS on and offsite at the Colongra and Munmorah power stations, stemming from the historic use of fire-fighting foams. Subsequent testing of seafood in the Tuggerah Lakes System concluded that the community can safely eat seafood caught in the Tuggerah Lakes System as part of a balanced diet.

PFAS has also been detected at low levels in and around the Mangrove Mountain Landfill including at the Ourimbah Creek Catchment.

Water sampling program

Until January 2026, the EPA will work with Department Climate Change, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) to take monthly samples at 19 different locations around the lakes system for a range of PFAS.

We will update this page after each round of sampling as results become available.

Tuggerah Lakes Catchment map

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This map shows the 19 sampling locations for this program.

Notes about sampling results

The results accurately reflect PFAS levels at the time samples were collected. Concentrations of chemicals can change over time however, due to more chemicals entering or being broken down in the environment and the movement of water in rivers and lakes.

September's sampling results:

• PFAS is at levels below Recreational Water Quality Guidelines at all locations tested
• The community can safely continue to use the lake system for swimming and recreational purposes including boating and canoeing.
• At 15 out of 19 locations the 99% species protection ecological guideline value for PFOS was exceeded at the time of sampling.

General information about sampling results:

• Sampling will be undertaken in accordance with national agreed sampling guidelines. Additional types of PFAS are also being sampled to help inform the ambient program.
• The 99% species protection level for the ecological guidelines for PFOA and PFOS is always used because PFAS bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in wildlife. This means it accumulates and increases its concentration in the tissues of living things as it travels up the food chain.
• The approach to the ecological guidelines is consistent with the National Environment Management Plan 3.0 (NEMP) for PFAS.