Warialda Bore Testing Results
The results of the recent water testing program for the private bores located in Warialda have now been returned to the participating bore holders.
The key messages from the results are outlined below by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
▪️ As part of a NSW Government voluntary bore testing program in Warialda PFAS has been detected above current or draft proposed drinking water guidelines on five properties.
▪️ The NSW Environment Protection Authority visited 20 properties in April to test the bores of property owners who had opted-in for the sampling program.
▪️ At two properties, including Warialda Public School, PFAS was found to be above current and draft proposed drinking water guidelines, and at three other properties it was found to be above draft proposed drinking water guidelines. It is important to note that the bore water at the school is not used for drinking water.
▪️ Importantly the town’s reticulated water is safe to drink and use.
▪️ PFAS was also detected at very low levels at a further six properties, however these met both the current and draft proposed drinking water guidelines. PFAS that do not have guidelines were detected at three of these properties.
▪️ All 20 property owners have been advised of their individual results, and where PFAS was detected precautionary advice has also been provided as recommended by the NSW Government’s PFAS Technical Advisory Group.
▪️ NSW Health routinely recommends that people do not use groundwater (bore water) for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing and appropriate treatment including disinfection.
▪️ We know that there is some PFAS in groundwater in Warialda, so these results are not completely unexpected.
▪️ We understand the community may have questions so we will be holding a drop-in session with Council and the Warialda Council Chambers on May 13th 10am-noon.
▪️ We will also be offering a further round of testing in May for any registered and unregistered bore-owners who have not already signed up for testing and we’ll be providing more information about how to register for that shortly.
▪️ The EPA’s bore testing program is designed to support council try and find possible sources of PFAS, along with ongoing efforts to identify a long-term town water supply that meets drinking water guidelines.
▪️ Guidance on the use of bore water is available from NSW Health https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/groundwater.aspx.
https://www.gwydir.nsw.gov.au/Council/Shire-News/Warialda-Bore-Testing-Results