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Independent laboratory testing has confirmed the Tweed’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).
The testing was undertaken in October 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 the Tweed’s three water supply systems – the Tweed District (Bray Park Water Treatment Plant), Uki village and Tyalgum village – and sent to the accredited Sydney Water Laboratory Services to undergo independent testing.
Council’s Manager Water and Wastewater Operations Brie Jowett said the test results confirmed the Tweed’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 three of our water supply systems,” Ms Jowett said.
“The results showed undetectable or incredibly low levels of key PFAS substances – PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFBS.”
Results from the testing showed:
PFOA was measured at 0.1 ng/L in the Tweed District systems and less than 0.1ng/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, which are often measured together, were both less than 0.1 ng/L (the minimum detectable limit) in all three 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.
Ms Jowett said the Tweed’s tap water would remain well below the new guidelines if they were implemented.
“The Tweed’s tap water is currently safe to drink and will continue to be safe if the draft Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are introduced,” Ms Jowett said.
“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.”
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 firefighting foams, pesticides, fertilisers, carpet, paint, frying pans, make-up, sunscreen, clothes, food packaging 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 Tweed’s drinking water quality, regular testing and PFAS testing results, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/drinking-water-quality.
For information and updates on the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, visit nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines
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