Tuggerah Lakes PFAS ambient sampling program

A 6-month pilot sampling program tested for background or 'ambient' PFAS in the Central Coast lake system.

The program found that all results were below ecological and recreational guidelines. While PFAS is widespread in the environment, it is usually in low concentrations and presents a low risk to the environment and human health.

Background

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

Water sampling program

We worked with Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to take monthly samples at 19 different locations around the lakes system for a range of PFAS.

PFAS is a class of more than 4000 chemicals including PFOS and PFHxS. They are highly persistent, bioaccumulate, can move long distances and break down extremely slowly in the environment.

Sampling results and guidance

PFAS was identified at all 19 locations on at least one occasion
Results from the 6 sampling rounds show PFAS at levels below recreational and ecological water quality guidelines on all occasions at all 19 locations tested
PFAS concentrations within the Tuggerah Lakes catchment are consistent with the ambient concentrations in urban catchments in QLD, WA and Victoria
PFAS is widespread but typically present at low concentrations, resulting in a low risk of exposure and adverse effects to the environment and human health
The community can safely continue to use the lake system for swimming and recreational purposes including swimming, boating and canoeing
Highest concentrations of PFAS were measured in Lake Munmorah and Porters Creek
PFAS concentrations were generally elevated at estuarine sites, reflecting the higher degree of urbanisation and development in these lower-catchment areas

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.

Guidelines

PFOS and PFOA were assessed against the Australian and New Zealand water quality guidelines for ecosystem protection (ANZG 2023 and 2026), as well as the NHMRC recreational water guidelines (2019).

In March 2026, the Australian and New Zealand ecological water quality guidelines for PFOS were revised, setting the 99% species protection guideline at 0.02 µg/L.

Under these new guidelines, all results from the sampling program were below the ecological value.

Concentrations of PFOS below this guideline pose a low risk of toxicity to aquatic organisms but may not adequately protect other animals due to bioaccumulation.

Next steps

Following the pilot, the ambient monitoring program has been expanded to more than 200 sites across NSW.

Tuggerah Lakes Catchment map