Blue Mountains News

WaterNSW are inviting the Blue Mountains community to ask questions about PFAS and source water quality in the region

By Water NSW

Posted: 26 Sep 2024

Source: WaterNSW

The Community drop in sessions will be held at Joy Anderson Hall on 26th September and at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre on the 27th September and 2nd October.

WaterNSW will be available to answer any questions relating to water quality and monitoring process, including recent findings of their investigations. Representatives from Sydney Water and NSW Health will also be in attendance.

Thursday 26 September
4:30pm-8:00pm
Joy Anderson Hall, Mid Mountains Community Centre
7 New Street, Lawson

Friday 27 September
8:30am-2:00pm
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
30 Parke Steet, Katoomba

Wednesday 2 October
8:30am-5:00pm
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
30 Parke Street, Katoomba

Investigation

NSW Health and Sydney Water have confirmed that tap water in Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and is safe to drink.

WaterNSW is conducting additional, targeted PFAS-related investigations to ensure Sydney Water and NSW Health have up-to-date information on the presence of PFAS in the catchment, so any risks continue to be managed appropriately.

Investigations include rigorous testing of water sources in the Blue Mountains’ catchment – including soil and water sampling – to investigate the source and causes of the elevated PFAS results. The extensive WaterNSW sampling program is occurring alongside work with multiple NSW Government agencies to explore other historical land use activities that potentially involved PFAS, such as firefighting.

Investigation of the Blue Mountains dams and catchment commenced in July, following Sydney Water testing which detected PFAS at levels below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines at the Cascade water filtration plant.

Early water quality results indicate Medlow Dam is impacted by slightly elevated levels of PFAS. WaterNSW has disconnected Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam from supply as a precautionary measure while investigations continue. The outcome of the investigation will inform the next steps WaterNSW will take to further mitigate risk.

What is being done?

PFAS contamination investigations are complex, due to the long-lasting nature of PFAS in the environment. This means that our investigation covers the entire Blue Mountains catchment and is drawing on information spanning a number of decades. As at 25 September, 2024, WaterNSW is taking the following actions:

Investigation

To better understand sources of PFAS in the Blue Mountains catchment, WaterNSW is:

Monitoring and testing soil and water throughout the catchment
We are undertaking rigorous testing of water sources and soil in the Blue Mountains’ catchment, with more than 100 samples from 30 sites, including water testing at various depths in the Blue Mountains dams.

Ensuring correct sampling collection, transport and analysis
Sampling, collection and transport are conducted by highly skilled professionals with strict protocols in place. Our partner labs have detailed steps that must be followed to ensure accurate analysis of our samples. This is essential to ensure that samples are not contaminated by everyday items that contain PFAS such as outdoor clothing, makeup, and sunscreen. Our monitoring teams are ISO 9001 certified, and all partner laboratories are NATA accredited.

Mapping land use across the catchment to help identify the potential source or cause of contaminants.

Investigating fire and firefighting history
WaterNSW is working with multiple government organisations including Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue to explore historical land use including potential activities where PFAS has been used, such as firefighting activities.

Tracing drainage pathways through the catchment, such as sewerage and stormwater.

Engaging a contaminated site investigation specialist to provide tailored advice and ensure every avenue of enquiry is explored.

Developing a conceptual site model to understand the ways that contaminants may move from sources in the soil and water through the catchment, helping target sampling and evaluate options for mitigation.

Source water quality

To ensure the quality of source water supplied to Sydney Water for treatment as drinking water, WaterNSW is:

keeping Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam disconnected from the supply network
frequently testing the Cascades dams and Oberon Dam source water
arranging to transfer additional water from Oberon Dam, which has recorded near zero levels of PFAS, to the Cascade dams to dilute PFAS levels
modelling the time frame required to dilute PFAS to inform our longer-term operating plan
working with Sydney Water to review the water supply system to ensure we continue to supply water safely and efficiently
ensuring our teams are ready to adapt to any changing conditions or new information as it becomes available.

Collaboration

WaterNSW continues to collaborate with experts and government agencies, including:

working closely with NSW Health and Sydney Water on investigations and our risk assessment
engaging PFAS contamination investigation specialists to collaborate with WaterNSW experts
engaging with the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue to better understand the use of PFAS for firefighting in the catchment.

Results

Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam

Water Quality results indicate Medlow Dam being impacted by slightly elevated levels of PFAS. Whilst this dam does not supply the water filtration plant directly, Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam were disconnected from supply on 7 August while further investigations are conducted.

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