NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Bore water screening program

We are conducting groundwater sampling as part of the NSW per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) screening program.

Testing by NSW Health across 82 water utilities for PFAS in drinking water supply has identified 4 local government areas (LGAs) where some town supplies have exceeded current guidelines or will not meet proposed new guidelines that will come into effect possibly as early as April this year.

These LGAs and their relevant townships are:

  • Queanbeyan-Palerang (Bungendore)
  • Gwydir Shire (Warialda)
  • City of Wagga Wagga (Tarcutta)
  • Narrabri Shire (Narrabri). 

The bore water screening program is a NSW government agency effort to assist these councils in the collection of data to identify potential sources of PFAS in groundwater and inform future decisions in meeting supply guidelines.

Free groundwater testing will be scheduled in the different council areas and available on a voluntary opt-in basis to owners and occupiers of land with private bores to help determine the presence of any PFAS.

The EPA, NSW Health, and the Water agencies have met with all of these councils and we have commenced our testing program, starting with Bungendore in March.

Dates for testing in other areas will be advised through local councils so bore owners can opt-in if they want to participate.