Independent laboratory testing has confirmed Kempsey Shire Council's tap water remains safe to drink and well below current and proposed reduced limits for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).
Testing was undertaken in October and December following a recommendation by NSW Health for all water authorities in the state to undertake PFAS testing.
Treated tap water samples were collected by trained Council staff from Kempsey Shire's eight water supply systems – Kempsey and Lower Macleay, Crescent Head, Hat Head, South West Rocks, Stuarts Point, Willawarrin, Bellbrook and the Thunggutti Aboriginal Community – and sent to the accredited Sydney Water Laboratory Services to undergo independent testing.
Council's Director Utilities, Wes Trotter said the test results confirmed Kempsey Shire's tap water was safe to drink, meeting requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).
"When NSW Health recommended testing for PFAS in treated water, Council immediately took up the opportunity to test across all eight of our water supply systems," Mr Trotter said.
"The results showed undetectable levels of key PFAS substances – PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFBS in all eight supplies."
Results from the testing showed:
PFOA was measured at less than 0.1 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit) across all of Council's systems. All results were well below the ADWG limit of 560 ng/L.
PFOS and PFHxS, which are often measured together, was less than 0.1 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit) in all systems, significantly lower than the ADWG limit of 70 ng/L.
PFBS, which currently has no set guideline, was found to be below 0.5 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit) in all systems. While there is no current ADWG limit, the results show that levels are very low and below the detectable limit of testing.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is currently reviewing the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), with any new recommendations expected to be finalised in 2025.
The review proposes revised health protective levels for PFAS substances including lower levels for the 3 types of PFAS in the current ADWG guidelines (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) and a new level for PFBS.
Mr Trotter said the Council's tap water across all eight systems would remain well below the new guidelines if they were implemented.
"Kempsey Shire Council's tap water is currently safe to drink and will continue to be safe if the draft Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are introduced," Mr Trotter said.
"We take the safety of the Kempsey Shire's tap water very seriously and these results are just one part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our drinking water remains safe and healthy for the long term."
About PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
PFAS substances have been manufactured in the United States, Europe and Asia since the 1950s. While they are not made in Australia, they have been widely used here in industrial and consumer products such as frying pans, make-up, sunscreen, clothes, food packaging, firefighting foams, pesticides, fertilisers, carpet, paint and other everyday items.
PFAS is not added to drinking water, but very small amounts can be present in water due to contamination from external sources in the environment and these consumer products.
For more details about Kempsey Shire's drinking water quality, regular testing and PFAS testing results, visit Water supply & quality - Kempsey Shire Council working with the Macleay Valley community. For more details about PFAS in NSW visit NSW Health - PFAS
