Council releases PFAS water testing results
Published on 08 October 2025
PFAS
What are PFAS?
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals that have been widely used in everyday products since the mid-1900s. They are resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water, so they were often used in items like non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, water-repelling fabrics, cleaning products, and personal care products. However, PFAS do not easily break down, so they can remain in the environment for a long time.
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), is investigating PFAS at certain sites across the state, listed on the EPA website. Importantly, no sites in the Berrigan Shire Council drinking water catchment area are under investigation for PFAS.
How is Berrigan Shire Council Responding?
In early November 2024, Berrigan Shire Council took part in the NSW Health program to test for PFAS in our drinking water. The test results, received in late November, showed a very low level of type of PFAS called PFHxS and PFOS. This level was much lower than the limits set by the current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the new guideline limits.
Summary of PFAS levels found in Berrigan Shire Drinking water compared to guideline limits:
|
Substance
|
Berrigan Shire Results
|
Current Guideline
|
New Guideline
|
|
PFBS
|
<1 ng/L
|
Not set
|
1000 ng/L
|
|
PFHxS
|
<1 ng/L
|
70 ng/L
|
30 ng/L
|
|
PFOS
|
<1 ng/L
|
70 ng/L
|
8 ng/L
|
|
PFOA
|
<1 ng/L
|
560 ng/L
|
200 ng/L
|
ng = nanograms = 0.001micrograms
Berrigan Shire Council will continue to monitor our drinking water with guidance from NSW Health.