University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury campus PFAS contamination
The EPA has been liaising with the University of Western Sydney, the Department of Education and their contaminated land consultants about per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination in a small area of soil at the site of the University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury campus.
The University’s final detailed site assessment report concluded that there are no risks to human health or the environment from the PFAS and immediate management or remediation is not required.
The PFAS identified at the University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury campus is not linked to the Richmond RAAF base.
The results of substantial testing by the University show that the PFAS contamination is in a small area near the site that was going to be used for the proposed Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education. This is over 2 km from the identified RAAF base contamination.
The results show the contamination is contained and has not spread.
The source of the PFAS at the Uni is likely contaminated soil brought onto the University of Western Sydney campus to be used as fill in around 2012. The EPA is working to track down the source of the fill material.
Students, staff and other users of the campus continue to have access to town (tap) water which is safe to drink.
The Uni is completing a risk assessment and remediation plan to ensure that any potential longer term risks from the PFAS in the soil are properly managed.