More PFAS tests completed
Testing by WaterNSW has confirmed that raw water in 20 major dams across regional New South Wales remains within safe PFAS thresholds for recreational use.
While 13 dams showed no PFAS traces, seven recorded minor detections, though all were well below the levels deemed risky for recreational activities.
The seven dams with detectable PFAS levels - Burrinjuck, Burrendong, Windamere, Carcoar, Menindee Lakes, Lake Brewster, and Lake Cargelligo - continue to supply water for irrigation, environmental purposes, and local utility treatment.
WaterNSW says that the untreated water poses no immediate threat, and downstream drinking water supplies remain within the proposed guidelines.
Full results are accessible here.
Separate monitoring in the Greater Sydney catchment revealed trace PFAS in Blue Mountains dam sources, sparking an ongoing investigation.
Notably, Medlow Dam was isolated from supply due to elevated PFAS levels, while Sydney Water and NSW Health maintain that treated drinking water complies with Australian guidelines.
Monthly updates on these PFAS assessments are made available by WaterNSW, but some critics suggest that current approaches may lack transparency.
The source of contamination in Medlow Dam remains unidentified, leading to community concerns about the consistency and reliability of safeguards.
PFAS compounds, dubbed “forever chemicals”, have been linked to potential long-term health and environmental impacts.
The reported findings provide a level of assurance but also raise the question of whether existing thresholds sufficiently account for cumulative and latent risks.
Environmental advocates argue for a more stringent review process, emphasising proactive management and the potential need for policy revisions.