Cowra Council commits to safe water supply through regular sampling

Published on 01 August 2024

Cowra Shire Council is committed to proving a safe and secure drinking water supply for our community. In order to uphold this commitment and ensure production of quality drinking water; Council undertakes regular water testing in line with NSW Health and Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) requirements.

The community may be aware of a number of out of region media stories run between May and June 2024 regarding the presence of PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl) in water supply systems (water sources) across NSW. Council wishes to advise of recent sampling undertaken throughout water supply systems around Cowra incorporating Woodstock and southern villages, Wyangala, Darbys Falls and Gooloogong. Analysis of these samples was completed by an accredited laboratory with results of all sites for PFAS being below a detectable limit (<0.01ug/L).

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the mid-1900s. PFAS are of concern as they do not break down easily and can persist for a long time in humans and the environment.

PFAS were used historically in fire-fighting foams which has resulted in increased levels of PFAS being detected at sites such as airports, defence/military bases and/or areas where fire- fighting training or fire suppression has occurred. Historic PFAS use areas are currently being monitored by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (The NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program). These areas do not include Cowra or its water supply catchment.

For further information about PFAS please refer to this fact sheet from Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA).

Council will continue to complete its regular sampling program in accordance with the ADWG and NSW Health.

For more information please contact Council’s Infrastructure and Operations Department on 02 6340 2700.