Macknade 2018-2020 (Queensland) PFAS contaminated groundwater
Note that the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) give a combined guideline level for PFOS+PFHxS of 0.07ug/L. The highest levels recorded at Macknade were in bore 3 on 13/9/18. 1ug/L or 14.3 times higher than the ADWG.
Breaches to the ADWG were also recorded at Macknade Sample Point 2 on 12/7/18, Macknade Bore 3 on 12/7/18, Mackade Bore 4 on 26/11/20 and 17/12/20.
The problematic drinking water bores at Macknade are located under Marbelli Street within 200m west of the drinking water plant. The bores are located in a shallow aquifer of 10m depth. Of concern is that Bore 4 has been recording levels above the ADWG in 2020, meaning that the worst of the PFAS problem appears to be moving in an easterly direction from Bore 3 to Bore 4. What is the source of the PFAS and how long was it in the drinking water prior to 2018?
Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Drinking Water Quality Management Plan 2021
Macknade TP
18/7/18: PFOS 0.009ug/L
Macknade Sample Point 2
12/7/18: PFHxS 0.022ug/L, PFOS 0.056ug/L
Bore No 2 Macknade
13/9/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
Macknade Bore 3
12/7/18: PFHxS 0.045ug/L, PFOS 0.12ug/L. [PFOS/PFHxS 0.165ug/L]
13/9/18: PFHxA 0.015ug/L, PFOA 0.007ug/L, PFBS 0.018ug/L, PFPeS 0.023ug/L, PFHxS 0.26ug/L, PFHpS 0.006ug/L, PFOS 0.74ug/L. [PFOS/PFHxS 1ug/L]
26/11/20: PFOS 0.04ug/L
Macknade Bore 4
16/8/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
13/9/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
27/9/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
26/11/20: PFHxS 0.03ug/L, PFOS 0.093ug/L [PFOS/PFHxS 0.123ug/L]
17/12/20: PFOA 0.002ug/L, PFHxS 0.028ug/L, PFOS 0.13ug/L [PFOS/PFHxS 0.158ug/L]
Macknade Bore 5
12/7/18: PFHxS 0.005ug/L, PFOS 0.009ug/L
23/7/18: PFOS 0.009ug/L
2/8/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
16/8/18: PFOS 0.006ug/L
30/8/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
13/9/18: PFOS 0.006ug/L
27/9/18: PFOS 0.005ug/L
SP 41 Mill Road
23/7/18: PFOS 0.006ug/L
17/12/20: PFHxS 0.005ug/L, PFOS 0.02ug/L
Lower Herbert water: PFAS detected in Macknade bore, Mayor Ramon Jayo says
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/regional/hinchinbrook/lower-herbert-water-pfas-detected-in-macknade-bore-mayor-ramon-jayo-says/news-story/5145ddd9605c751327a7a62ebeb817d6
Townsville Bulletin December 20 2020
Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo has moved to reassure residents that the shire’s water remains safe to drink.
His comments follow the detection of manufactured chemical per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, in a bore connected to the Lower Herbert Water supply.
“I want to reassure our community members that the town water supply continues to be safe to drink,” Mayor Ramon Jayo said.
“There is no disruption to the town water supply as a result of the affected bore remaining switched off and council will continue to update residents as more information comes to hand.”
The bore is one of four bores Macknade supplying water to the Macknade Water Treatment Plant, which distributes water to the Lower Herbert region.
PFAS found in town water supply, fifth site in North Queensland
THE CHEMICAL contaminant PFAS has been found for the fifth time in North Queensland.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances were found in a bore connected to the Lower Herbert water supply in the Hinchinbrook region, the council announced today.
A spokesman for Hinchinbrook Shire Council said the contaminated bore was isolated immediately and would remain switched off until further notice.
Mayor Ramon Jayo assured residents the water was still safe to drink.
“There is no disruption to the town water supply as a result of the affected bore remaining switched off and council will continue to update residents as more information comes to hand,” he said.
In a statement the council said the bore was one of four in the Macknade Township.
This supplies water to the Macknade Water Treatment Plant which distributes water to the Lower Herbert region.
Lucinda, Macknade, Halifax, Cordelia, Taylors Beach and Bemerside all receive water from the Macknade Water Treatment Plant and the Ingham Water Treatment Plants.
Cr Jayo said the council undertook PFAS testing of water reservoirs across the Hinchinbrook water supply network as part of a statewide water quality monitoring program.
“The Ingham, Forrest Beach and Halifax Reservoirs returned clear readings compliant with the national water standards and found no detection of PFAS,” he said.
“However the Lucinda Water Reservoir returned a small amount above the detection limits specified by Queensland Health.
“Further testing was conducted to identify the source of the potential contamination and these results were received late (Monday) afternoon.”
Cr Jayo said the bore where PFAS was found was immediately removed from service and the council was undertaking further testing with Queensland Health and other government agencies.
PFAS has been found at numerous sites throughout the wider Townsville and North Queensland regions.
It was detected in a bore connected to the Ayr water supply and at the Port of Townsville this year.
The Department of Defence is also investigating PFAS contamination at Laverack Barracks and the RAAF base.
Health risks
An independent expert health panel established by the Australian Government found there was “no current evidence that suggested an increase in overall cancer risk”.
The finding was based on limited evidence and it’s recommended people minimise exposure to PFAS chemicals because of their known ability to persist and accumulate in the body.
International research group C8 Science Panel found the chemicals were linked to diagnosed high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.