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.

Snapshot of sampling results and guidance

Results from the 6 sampling rounds show PFAS at levels below Recreational Water Quality Guidelines at all 19 locations tested
The community can safely continue to use the lake system for swimming and recreational purposes including boating and canoeing.

PFAS in the environment

Finding PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health but it is important to assess if there are exposure pathways through which people might ingest PFAS.

Most people are exposed to small amounts of PFAS in everyday life as it has been commonly used in the manufacture of many household and industrial products. This includes stain resistant applications for furniture and carpets, non-stick cookware, fast food or packaged food containers, make up, personal care products, paints and cleaning products as well historically in some firefighting foams.

More information can be found at NSW Health.

Tuggerah Lakes Catchment map

Tuggerah Lakes catchment map showing water sampling sites

This map shows the 19 sampling locations for this program.

PFAS levels at sampling locations

Site 1: Tuggerah Lake south

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.001	0.002	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.001		0.00023
PFOA	0.0004	0.0006	0.0005	0.0006	0.0008	0.0008	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0016	0.0029	0.0016	0.002	0.0019	0.002	2

Site 2: Tuggerah Lake mid

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0009	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.001	0.001		0.00023
PFOA	0.0004	0.0007	0.0007	0.0005	0.0007	0.0007	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0013	0.0019	0.0016	0.003	0.0018	0.002	2

Site 3: Tuggerah Lake north

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.001	0.002	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.002		0.00023
PFOA	0.0005	0.0006	0.0007	0.0005	0.0007	0.0008	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0017	0.0028	0.0016	0.003	0.0019	0.003	2

Site 4: Budgewoi Lake

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.002	0.0022	0.0023	0.0021	0.0021	0.0027		0.00023
PFOA	0.0007	0.0008	0.0009	0.0007	0.0009	0.001	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0029	0.0042	0.0033	0.0045	0.0031	0.0037	2

Site 5: Lake Munmorah

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0042	0.004	0.0045	0.004	0.0041	0.0045		0.00023
PFOA	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.002	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0063	0.0067	0.007	0.0113	0.0072	0.0075	2

Site 6: Lower Ourimbah Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0009	0.001	0.002	0.002	0.0025	0.0023		0.00023
PFOA	0.0004	0.0006	0.0007	0.0008	0.0009	0.001	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0015	0.002	0.004	0.0074	0.0046	0.0043	2

Site 7: Lower Wyong River

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0008	0.0008	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.002		0.00023
PFOA	0.0004	0.0004	0.0007	0.0006	0.0006	0.0007	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0011	0.0013	0.0019	0.003	0.0026	0.0028	2

Site 8: Lower Wallarah Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.002	0.002	0.002	0.0027	0.0023	0.0037		0.00023
PFOA	0.0006	0.001	0.0009	0.0009	0.001	0.002	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0027	0.004	0.003	0.0061	0.0043	0.0057	2

Site 9: Middle Ourimbah Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0009	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.0022	0.0023		0.00023
PFOA	0.0003	0.0005	0.0007	0.0008	0.0009	0.0009	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0014	0.002	0.003	0.0091	0.0049	0.0043	2

Site 10: Middle Wyong River

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)_	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0002	ND	ND	0.0003	ND	ND		0.00023
PFOA	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.0003	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0002	ND	ND	0.0006	ND	ND	2

Site 11: Bangalow Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.002	0.002	0.0021	0.0024	0.0022	0.0027		0.00023
PFOA	0.0007	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.002	0.002	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0028	0.004	0.0041	0.0056	0.0044	0.0047	2

Site 12: Upper Ourimbah Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0006	0.001	0.002	0.002	0.0026	0.0026		0.00023
PFOA	0.0004	0.0003	0.0005	0.0004	0.0006	0.001	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0011	0.002	0.0043	0.0089	0.0063	0.0054	2

Site 13: Canada Drop Down Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0003	ND	0.0003	0.0003	0.0003	0.0003		0.00023
PFOA	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.0004	0.0003	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0003	0.0002	0.0003	0.0008	0.0007	0.0003	2

Site 14: Upper Wyong River

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND		0.00023
PFOA	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	ND	ND	ND	0.0003	ND	ND	2

Site 15: Jilliby Jilliby Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0005	ND	0.0003	ND	0.0003	0.0004		0.00023
PFOA	ND	0.0002	ND	ND	ND	0.0003	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0005	ND	0.0003	0.0004	0.0003	0.0004	2

Site 16: Porters Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0042	0.0034	0.0048	0.0027	0.001	0.0057		0.00023
PFOA	0.0026	0.0021	0.0028	0.001	0.0006	0.0036	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0066	0.0054	0.007	0.0047	0.0016	0.0096	2

Site 17: unnamed tributary - Arizona Rd

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0025	0.0022	0.0024	0.0033	0.0024	0.0043		0.00023
PFOA	0.001	0.001	0.0009	0.001	0.001	0.002	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0035	0.0042	0.0034	0.0057	0.0034	0.0063	2

Site 18: Upper Wallarah Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.0009	0.002	0.002	0.0024	0.0023	0.0037		0.00023
PFOA	0.0003	0.0009	0.0007	0.001	0.001	0.001	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0012	0.003	0.003	0.0066	0.0033	0.0057	2

Site 19: Spring Creek

This table shows PFAS levels at this site that have a recreational and/or ecological guideline value.

	Sample dates						Guideline
PFAS	5/8/25	2/9/25	Oct (30/9/25)	3/11/25	4/12/25	14/1/26	Recreational water (NHMRC 2019)	Ecological (ANZG 2023)
Results and guideline values are expressed in µg/L.
PFOS	0.001	0.001	0.002	0.0023	0.002	0.0032		0.00023
PFOA	0.0005	0.0007	0.0008	0.0008	0.0005	0.001	10	19
PFOS + PFHxS	0.0016	0.002	0.003	0.0045	0.0027	0.0042	2

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.

January sampling round:

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 17 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.

Updated 03 March 2026