Chemical run-off from an Air Force base has been detected near a NSW city's water supply, more than four decades ahead of schedule.
Key points:
- PFAS has been found just 650 metres from Wagga Wagga's water supply
- The chemicals have spread from the RAAF base at Forest Hill
- Modelling from 2021 said they would take 50 years to reach the city's borefield
The Department of Defence has found low levels of PFAS in two groundwater monitoring wells just 650 metres from a bore field which is one of Wagga Wagga's main drinking water catchments.
The discovery contradicts modelling undertaken by the department in 2021, which indicated it would take at least 50 years for the chemical to travel from the Forest Hill RAAF base to the water supply.
"These results suggest the PFAS plume … is moving faster than originally predicted," a Defence spokesperson said.
"But there is no short-term risk of PFAS contamination to the bore field and the water is safe to drink."
Wagga Wagga's water utility, Riverina Water, said it had detected a "very minor" level of the chemical in one of its bores, however that result was still being investigated.
The utility said the bore had not been in recent production and had been disconnected from the rest of the water network while studies took place.
Officially named per- and polyfluorolkyl substances, PFAS chemicals are compounds that do not break down, instead accumulating in the soil, water and human bodies.
The chemicals were present in firefighting foam which was historically used during training exercises on military bases, including Forest Hill, near Wagga Wagga, which resulted in a $132 million class action against the federal government.
Water still 'safe and clean'
Riverina Water chief executive officer Andrew Crakanthorp assured Wagga Wagga residents their drinking water was safe to consume.
He said detection levels were still well below the limits outlined by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, but was concerned about how fast the contaminated groundwater had travelled.
"The bore field will be impacted at some point and now is the time to start preparing for that," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"We thought we had a 50-year window and that has disappeared within a two-year timeframe."
Riverina Water and Defence have both said they would be increasing their monitoring of PFAS levels in groundwater around Wagga Wagga due to the findings.
Mr Crakanthorp said the water supplier was working with Defence to identify potential sites to construct new water bores for long-term protection.
"They'll be upstream of the PFAS plume, that's for sure," he said.
Wagga Wagga MP, Joe McGirr, has written to Water Minister Rose Jackson and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to seek assurances regarding the town's water supply.
"As the weather warms up demand rises, our community must remain confident in our water supply," he said.