NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Bore water screening program

We are conducting groundwater sampling as part of the NSW per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) screening program.

Testing by all 83 local water utilities for PFAS in drinking water supply has identified four utilities where some samples of town supplies exceeded current guidelines or were at or exceeded proposed new Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for PFAS that will come into effect possibly as early as the end of June this year.

The four utilities and relevant townships are:

  • Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (Bungendore)
  • Gwydir Shire Council (Warialda)
  • Riverina Water County Council (Tarcutta)
  • Narrabri Shire Council (Narrabri township).

The bore water screening program is a NSW government agency effort to assist these councils in the collection of data to identify potential sources of PFAS in groundwater and inform future decisions in meeting supply guidelines.

Free groundwater testing in the different council areas will be available on a voluntary opt-in basis to owners and occupiers of land with private bores to help determine the presence of any PFAS.

The EPA, NSW Health, and the Water agencies have met with all of these councils and EPA has now commenced our testing program starting with Bungendore in mid-March, Warialda early April and then Narrabri and Tarcutta later in May and June.

Dates for testing will be advised through local councils so bore owners can opt-in if they want to participate.