2023/25: Wilberforce Rural Fire Station
What is the situation at Wilberforce Rural Fire Station?
PFAS investigations have commenced at the Wilberforce Rural Fire Station at 6 Macquarie Street, Wilberforce, NSW, 2756.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) is monitoring the progress of NSW RFS (RFS) PFAS investigations at the Wilberforce Rural Fire Station.
Why is PFAS being investigated?
Foam containing PFAS was used in firefighting activities, such as fuel type fires and training, by some Rural Fire Brigades since 1975 for the protection of people and property.
The RFS identified PFAS-containing firefighting foam might have been stored or used as part of fire training and operations at this location. As a precaution, the RFS is undertaking investigations to determine if PFAS from firefighting foam might still be present in the environment.
The presence of PFAS in the environment may not necessarily pose a risk to human health or the environment. There is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOA causes adverse human health effects (refer to NSW Health Site). It is important to assess if there are any potential ways in which people might have contact with these chemicals. The primary PFAS exposure pathways are through drinking water containing PFAS, or eating produce that was grown using water containing PFAS. Local residents are connected to the town water supply.
What testing is being undertaken?
Preliminary Site Investigation sampling was completed between October and November 2023 by an independent environmental consultant on behalf of RFS, which included soil and concrete sampling from various locations onsite.
What were the findings?
Sampling has confirmed the presence of PFAS in soil and concrete above the adopted assessment criteria.
What happens now?
RFS and the NSW EPA have reviewed the Preliminary Site Investigation report associated with the site to determine the next steps, which includes further sampling on and off-site to close identified investigation data gaps.
Reports
- PFAS Environmental Site Assessment, February 2025.