Council Confirms Nil-Detectable PFAS in Drinking Water

Published on 27 September 2024

Recent testing of Wingecarribee Shire’s drinking water supply has revealed nil-detectable levels of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). 

Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. Due to their strong chemical bonds, PFAS are resistant to degradation and can persist in the environment for a long time. 

Council's Water Services Team conducts rigorous testing to ensure the safety and quality of the drinking water supplied to the community. Laboratory analysis of raw and treated water samples from Wingecarribee and Bundanoon Water Treatment Plants returned 'nil detectable’ results for PFAS. 

The findings are well below the current Australian guidelines for PFAS in drinking water and have been shared with Water NSW and NSW Health. 

Wingecarribee Shire Council Manager of Water Services Graeme Mellor said that Council was committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water to our community.  

“We are very proud of our service to the community and take our responsibility to residents very seriously,” said Graeme. 

“In anticipation of the evolving regulations in the United States and the increased public concern from this, we proactively conducted PFAS testing to benchmark our water sources in the context of that new testing landscape.    

“We are very satisfied to confirm we have high quality, safe and secure water sources in Wingecarribee Shire with no detectable PFAS. Residents and visitors to our Shire can be confident in the quality of the water we drink,” Graeme said.  

Graeme concluded by stating, “Water Services continuously monitors drinking water quality and conducts regular testing to ensure the ongoing safety of its drinking water supply, and successful compliance with NSW Health and Australian Drinking Water Guidelines".