Kempsey Shire Council (Council) and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are aware that per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been detected in groundwater beneath the former Caltex terminal on Phillip Drive, South West Rocks.
Council and the EPA conducted precautionary sampling of local waterways, including Saltwater Creek and Saltwater Lagoon to determine potential pathways in which the community may be exposed to PFAS. The sampling was conducted in late August, at a time when Saltwater Creek was closed off to the sea.
The results were within the National recreational and drinking water guidelines. The community can continue using the area for recreational purposes including swimming, boating and canoeing. Users of Saltwater Creek are reminded that, as per existing signage, when Saltwater creek is not open to the sea, the water may not be suitable for swimming activities.
EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Carmen Dwyer said "The presence of PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a human health risk. We understand why the community is concerned and our focus is about ensuring the community has accurate advice on PFAS. We will continue to work closely with Council and all agencies involved."
What happens next?
Council and the EPA will conduct additional precautionary sampling and testing of the waterways in the first half of 2023.
What do residents need to do?
South West Rocks residents are connected to reticulated water (town water) which is safe to use.
Regardless of PFAS detections, NSW Health recommends that people do not use groundwater for drinking, cooking, filling up swimming pools and personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing and appropriate treatment.
Background
From the 1960s until the 1990s Shell and Caltex operated bulk oil terminals in South West Rocks.
These terminals were decommissioned to an industry level standard and both sites were acquired by developers wanting to remediate them to a higher residential level standard.
PFAS are a very stable chemical that do not break down easily and persist for a long time in the environment.
Due to their fire retardant, waterproofing and stain resistant qualities, these chemicals have been widely used in many industrial and consumer products worldwide such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, fabric, furniture and carpet stain protection applications, clothing, and some types of fire-fighting foam.
Advice released by the Australian Government in June 2019 states that PFAS has not been shown to cause disease in humans and "probably has minimal impact on human health".
