Tweed’s water declared safe in PFAS testing

INDEPENDENT testing by Sydney Water Laboratory Services has found that PFAS levels in Tweed Shire’s tap water are well below current and proposed limits set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).

Council’s Manager Water and Wastewater Operations Brie Jowett said the tests focused specifically on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and confirmed low or undetectable levels across all three of Tweed’s water supply systems.

“When NSW Health recommended testing for PFAS in treated water, Council immediately took up the opportunity to test across all three of our water supply systems,” Jowett said.

“The results showed undetectable or incredibly low levels of key PFAS substances – PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFBS.”

Testing undertaken in October followed a recommendation by NSW Health for all water authorities in the state to undertake PFAS testing.

Treated tap water samples were collected from the Tweed District (Bray Park Water Treatment Plant), Uki and Tyalgum.

Results showed that PFOA was measured at 0.1 ng/L in the Tweed District systems and less than 0.1 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit) in the Uki and Tyalgum systems. All results were well below the ADWG limit of 560 ng/L.

PFOS and PFHxS were less than 0.1 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit), significantly lower than the ADWG limit of 70 ng/L.

PFBS, which 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 levels are very low and below the detectable limit of testing.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is reviewing the ADGW guidelines with updated recommendations expected in 2025.

The review proposes revised health protective levels for PFAS substances, including lower levels for the three types of PFAS in the current ADWG guidelines (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) and a new level for PFBS.

Jowett said the Tweed’s tap water would remain well below the new guidelines.

“We take the safety of Tweed’s tap water very seriously and these results are just one part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring Tweed’s water remains safe and healthy for the long term.”

PFAS is not added to drinking water, but small amounts can enter the water supply through environmental contamination from industrial and consumer products.

For more information on Tweed’s drinking water quality, visit the council’s website.