Cowra Shire Council Welcomes National PFAS Review
Published on 09 December 2024
Cowra Shire Council Welcomes National PFAS Review.
The Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released revised guidelines on PFAS limits for consultation in October 2024. The revised guidelines propose a significant reduction in health-based guideline values for PFAS within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) 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 the environment.
Council completed sampling for PFAS against the existing health-based guideline values in July 2024 with results for all sites being below a detectable limit of <0.01ug/L.
In response to the proposed reduced guideline values, Council has completed additional sampling and testing for PFAS with the assistance of NSW Health (Public Health Unit).
The sampling and testing indicates Council’s water supply meets all of the requirements of the proposed reduced guideline values. Additionally, the water supplied by Central Tablelands Water to Cowra Council residents meets all of the requirements of the proposed reduced guideline values.
A summary of these results against the proposed health-based guidelines is as follows:
Sampling and testing of the Central Tablelands Water supply water supply was completed by Central Tablelands Water on 16 October 2024, results of this sampling were as follows:
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 Division on 02 6340 2700.
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Fact Sheet | Water Services Association of Australia (wsaa.asn.au)
For more information please contact Council’s Infrastructure and Operations Division on 02 6340 2700.
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