Australian PFAS Chemicals Map

Warialda Water Supply has tested positive for PFAS

Warialda:

20/11/24: PFOA 0.005 ug/l, PFOS 0.044 ug/l, PFHxS 0.11 ug/l, PFBS 0.018 ug/l.
5/12/2024: PFOA 0.003ug/l, PFOS 0.039 ug/l, PFHxS 0.077 ug/l, PFBS 0.013 ug/l
5/12/2024: PFOA 0.003 ug/l, PFOS 0.036 ug/l, PFHxS 0.076 ug/l. PFBS 0.012 ug/l

23/12/2024
Warialda North Reservoir Tank 2 :PFOS 0.005 ug/l, PFHxS 0.009 ug/l, PFBS 0.002 ug./l

December 20 2024

Water being delivered in Warialda today due to PFAS, other areas cleared

Water will be delivered to homes across Warialda today as the latest update from Gwydir Shire Council reveals another bore has high levels of PFAS, but other Councils are progressively reporting their water supplies are PFAS free or within acceptable limits.

PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) was detected in the northern reservoir of Warialda, prompting a health alert and Council to provide bottled water for free for residents. The Crane Street bore and Hospital Park bore have also tested with PFAS levels over the proposed 2025 guideline levels, and will no longer be used. The Saleyard and Gragin Road bores had no detectable levels of PFAS.

Gwydir Shire Council General Manager Max Eastcott says the northern reservoir requires more aggressive flushing, which they are going to achieve by turning off the southern reservoir to draw all the water from the northern.

“When the level of the Northern reservoir falls to 25% water will be allowed to flow from the Southern reservoir and this will dilute the presence of PFAS to an acceptable level.”

Council will continue to issue free bottled water from the Warialda Visitor Information Centre, and today (Friday) will see water delivered to each house in Warialda.

“Please note that the current water restrictions will continue indefinitely. These restrictions are – no fixed sprinklers to be used only hand held hoses are permitted,” Mr Eastcott said in a statement, noting this was particularly challenging in the hot weather.

NSW Health advises that drinking town water in Warialda in the short term is unlikely to pose a health risk and it is safe to swim in a pool which holds Warialda water. However, bottled water is being made available for those who would prefer it until the pipes are flushed.

Council will be petitioning for funding to establish new bores which will supplement the Warialda water supply.

Other areas clear

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in various products for decades, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, water-resistant fabrics and personal care items. Due to their resistance to heat, water, and stains, these chemicals have been widespread in everyday products since the 1950s. However, PFAS are persistent in the environment and are difficult to break down.

Published on 10 December 2024

The water supply at Warialda has tested positive for PFAS.

Dec 2024: 130ng/L. Source Here

PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of over 4000 chemicals. Some PFAS are very effective at resisting heat, stains, grease and water, making them useful chemicals for a range of applications including: Stain and water protection for carpets, fabric, furniture and apparel.

Once the positive test was confirmed the Council’s staff and Mayor have had several conversations with NSW Health representatives.

It is unclear how this contaminant came to be in the water and further testing is being conducted.

NSW Health are preparing a Press Release, which will also be letterbox dropped tomorrow to each household.

Part of the preliminary discussion involved ensuring that sufficient bottled water would be available once the Press Release was issued and to discourage any panic buying because of a lack of information being available.

Unfortunately, the issue became public knowledge in an unplanned way and has led apparently to some panic buying.

It is important to realize that the potential danger is there but minimal. However, NSW Health and the Council are acting with an abundance of caution.

It’s disappointing that the information was disseminated in this manner without the relevant information being available at the same time.

Feel free to pass this email on to any concerned resident who may contact you.

10/12/24: Warialda (NSW) PFAS in drinking water bore

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Warialda Water Supply has tested positive for PFAS

Warialda:

20/11/24: PFOA 0.005 ug/l, PFOS 0.044 ug/l, PFHxS 0.11 ug/l, PFBS 0.018 ug/l.
5/12/2024: PFOA 0.003ug/l, PFOS 0.039 ug/l, PFHxS 0.077 ug/l, PFBS 0.013 ug/l
5/12/2024: PFOA 0.003 ug/l, PFOS 0.036 ug/l, PFHxS 0.076 ug/l. PFBS 0.012 ug/l

23/12/2024
Warialda North Reservoir Tank 2 :PFOS 0.005 ug/l, PFHxS 0.009 ug/l, PFBS 0.002 ug./l

December 20 2024

Water being delivered in Warialda today due to PFAS, other areas cleared

Water will be delivered to homes across Warialda today as the latest update from Gwydir Shire Council reveals another bore has high levels of PFAS, but other Councils are progressively reporting their water supplies are PFAS free or within acceptable limits.

PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) was detected in the northern reservoir of Warialda, prompting a health alert and Council to provide bottled water for free for residents. The Crane Street bore and Hospital Park bore have also tested with PFAS levels over the proposed 2025 guideline levels, and will no longer be used. The Saleyard and Gragin Road bores had no detectable levels of PFAS.

Gwydir Shire Council General Manager Max Eastcott says the northern reservoir requires more aggressive flushing, which they are going to achieve by turning off the southern reservoir to draw all the water from the northern.

“When the level of the Northern reservoir falls to 25% water will be allowed to flow from the Southern reservoir and this will dilute the presence of PFAS to an acceptable level.”

Council will continue to issue free bottled water from the Warialda Visitor Information Centre, and today (Friday) will see water delivered to each house in Warialda.

“Please note that the current water restrictions will continue indefinitely. These restrictions are – no fixed sprinklers to be used only hand held hoses are permitted,” Mr Eastcott said in a statement, noting this was particularly challenging in the hot weather.

NSW Health advises that drinking town water in Warialda in the short term is unlikely to pose a health risk and it is safe to swim in a pool which holds Warialda water. However, bottled water is being made available for those who would prefer it until the pipes are flushed.

Council will be petitioning for funding to establish new bores which will supplement the Warialda water supply.

Other areas clear

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in various products for decades, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, water-resistant fabrics and personal care items. Due to their resistance to heat, water, and stains, these chemicals have been widespread in everyday products since the 1950s. However, PFAS are persistent in the environment and are difficult to break down.

Published on 10 December 2024

The water supply at Warialda has tested positive for PFAS.

Dec 2024: 130ng/L. Source Here

PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of over 4000 chemicals. Some PFAS are very effective at resisting heat, stains, grease and water, making them useful chemicals for a range of applications including: Stain and water protection for carpets, fabric, furniture and apparel.

Once the positive test was confirmed the Council’s staff and Mayor have had several conversations with NSW Health representatives.

It is unclear how this contaminant came to be in the water and further testing is being conducted.

NSW Health are preparing a Press Release, which will also be letterbox dropped tomorrow to each household.

Part of the preliminary discussion involved ensuring that sufficient bottled water would be available once the Press Release was issued and to discourage any panic buying because of a lack of information being available.

Unfortunately, the issue became public knowledge in an unplanned way and has led apparently to some panic buying.

It is important to realize that the potential danger is there but minimal. However, NSW Health and the Council are acting with an abundance of caution.

It’s disappointing that the information was disseminated in this manner without the relevant information being available at the same time.

Feel free to pass this email on to any concerned resident who may contact you.