Heatherbrae Total Fire Solutions PFAS investigation

Total Fire Solutions has investigated legacy PFAS contamination at their site in Heatherbrae. 

Investigations detected PFAS in soil and groundwater at the site and surrounding areas. The detection of PFAS is not unexpected due to the historical use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams at the site.

To understand potential impacts , the EPA and Total Fire Solutions surveyed nearby residential properties and collected samples from soil and groundwater. 

Guidance for residents

Some residents have been provided with tailored precautionary dietary advice to minimise their potential exposure to PFAS in groundwater. This advice applies only to those properties and does not apply to the wider Heatherbrae area.

Regardless of PFAS, NSW Health recommends that people do not use groundwater for drinking, cooking, filling swimming pools and personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing and appropriate treatment.

For other residents, no additional precautions are required based on current information.

Residents are connected to town water, which this is safe to use.

PFAS in the environment

PFAS is common in our environment, and most people are exposed to small amounts through everyday household and industrial items such as packaging, cookware and personal care products.

Finding PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health. However, it is important to assess whether there are exposure pathways through which people might ingest PFAS, such as drinking contaminated groundwater or consuming food grown with contaminated water.

Next steps

We will continue to work with Total Fire Solutions and relevant agencies to monitor PFAS at the site. The community will be updated if new information identifies any changes to current advice.

The EPA plans to revisit some properties where tailored precautionary dietary advice has previously been provided to ensure this advice remains current and appropriate.