Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) has received advice today, Friday 17 December 2021, of higher than recommended rates of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, in a section of Ollie Robbins Oval, Dubbo.
As a precautionary measure DRC operations staff have this afternoon installed fencing to create an exclusion zone around the identified area.
The detection is a result of groundwater investigations which have been taking place since early 2019 as part of drought security planning. During those investigations levels of PFAS were detected in a number of the city's bores. As a result there was one bore that exceeded PFAS limits and it was taken off line. DRC has since been taking steps to determine the origin of the contamination which, on advice from expert consultants is now determined to be a section of Ollie Robbins Oval.
The fencing will remain in place until further solutions are determined in collaboration with other key agencies. DRC will continue communicating and working with those key agencies, including the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Consistent testing at the John Gilbert Water Treatment facility has shown the city's potable water supply is not affected.
DRC will keep the community informed and provide further information on Monday 20 December 2021.
