Perth residents forced to use bottled water for drinking, cooking and cleaning due to toxic contamination

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/environment/perth-residents-forced-to-use-bottled-water-for-drinking-cooking-and-cleaning-due-to-toxic-contamination-c-8937687

Nov 23 2022

Toxic chemicals have seeped into the water supply of a suburb in Perth’s south, forcing residents to rely on bottled water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

People living in parts of Jandakot have been told PFAS, a carcinogenic chemical used by firefighters, has contaminated their groundwater.

They have been told it is too dangerous to drink from their taps, water their gardens or even top up their pools.

People living on and around Clements Place and north of Bandicoot Reserve are impacted by the chemical leak, with Jandakot Airport suspected to be the source.

“In October we received a test result from a bore on public land near the airport boundary showing PFAS levels above drinking water standards,” a Jandakot Airport spokeswoman told The West Australian.

“Following this result, we advised the relevant regulators.

“We have contacted residents neighbouring the airport who are not on scheme water to make them aware of the initial test results, and to offer testing of their bore water.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will be working closely with residents to complete testing over the coming days.”

Affected locals are questioning how they will bathe and keep their gardens alive.

Some told 7NEWS on Tuesday night they had already booked doctor’s appointments to check their health.