Regional NSW

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A screening for PFAS in our 20 major dams across regional NSW has confirmed that the water is safe for recreational use, returning results well below the NHMRC recommended guideline values for PFAS in recreational water.

WaterNSW’s regional dams are used for recreation, including water sports and fishing. The dams release water into river systems for a variety of purposes including irrigation, water for the environment and as raw water for local water utilities – mostly local councils – who treat the water to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines .This water is not supplied directly for use as drinking water, but is supplied to local utilities for treatment.

WaterNSW has provided the results of its screening analysis to local water utilities to help inform their own risk assessments in relation to treated drinking water.

The distance between major dams and most downstream communities in regional areas means rain, runoff and tributary inflows can influence water quality between the dam and the point of extraction and treatment by local water utilities.

Learn more about the NSW Government and PFAS at nsw.gov.au/pfas

Results

These results reflect the untreated, raw source water in WaterNSW’s dams. This water is not supplied directly for use as drinking water, but is supplied to local utilities for treatment.

The results confirm that the water is safe for recreational use, returning results well below the NHMRC recommended guideline values for PFAS in recreational water.

Location	Sample Date	PFOA (µg/L)	PFHxS (µg/L)	PFOS (µg/L)	PFHxS + PFOS (µg/L)
Blowering Dam, Snowy Mountains	4/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Brogo Dam, South Coast	10/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Burrendong Dam, Central West	3/12/2024	<0.0005	0.0007	0.0007	0.0014
Burrinjuck Dam, South West Slopes	3/12/2024	0.0009	0.0035	0.0048	0.0083
Carcoar Dam, Central West	3/12/2024	0.001	0.0042	0.0019	0.0061
Chaffey Dam, New England	11/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Copeton Dam, New England	2/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Glenbawn Dam, Hunter	11/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Glennies Creek Dam, Hunter	9/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Hume Dam, Riverina	4/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Keepit Dam, North West Slopes	9/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Lake Brewster, Central West	5/12/2024	<0.0005	0.0015	0.0007	0.0022
Lake Cargelligo, Central West	5/12/2024	<0.0005	0.0012	0.0013	0.0025
Lostock Dam, Hunter	10/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Menindee Lakes, Far West	19/12/2024	<0.0005	0.0006	0.0007	0.0013
Pindari Dam, North West Slopes	3/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Split Rock Dam, North West Slopes	9/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Toonumbar Dam, Northern Rivers	4/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003
Windamere Dam, Central Tablelands	4/12/2024	<0.0005	0.0009	0.0023	0.0032
Wyangala Dam, South Western Slopes	3/12/2024	<0.0005	<0.0005	<0.0003	<0.0003

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find test results for drinking water?

Your local water utility – often your local council – treats the water to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, ready for your tap.

Please get in touch with your local water utility for drinking water test results.

What does the screening analysis involve?

WaterNSW has conducted a screening analysis of untreated water at its regional supply dams. The screening analysis involved highly-experienced field staff and expert water quality scientists undertaking sampling and analysis of raw, untreated water. The results will support local water utilities in testing their drinking water supplies for PFAS as part of the NSW Government program.

What are the results of the screening analysis?

Screening for PFAS has confirmed that raw water in 20 major dams across regional NSW is safe for recreational use, with all regional storage results falling well below the recreational water quality guidelines set by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).The results have been provided to local water utilities to help inform their own risk assessments.

Can I be exposed to PFAS from recreational water?

The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) suggests the most likely route of exposure to PFAS during recreational activities is accidentally swallowing water containing PFAS during activities where you are fully immersed, such as swimming. Dermal absorption (through skin), is not likely to be a major exposure pathway.

The recommended guideline values for PFAS in recreational water are:

Total sum of PFOS and PFHxS 2 µg/L
PFOA 10 µg/L.

This guidance is based on the most current estimates of how much water people swallow while swimming and on the amount of PFAS chemicals to which the human body can safely be exposed.

More information can be found on the NHMRC website.

Can I be exposed to PFAS by eating fish caught in recreational waterways?

There are no fishing closures in place in NSW waters due to PFAS contamination.

Fish caught from some contaminated recreational waterways may contain elevated levels of PFAS and people eating these fish can be exposed to PFAS.

At some waterways in NSW, the NSW Government has determined that precautionary dietary advice is required for local fishers to moderate their consumption of specific species. More information can be found at the Department of Primary Industries website.

Is the water from dams and rivers safe for livestock to drink?

Animals can be exposed to PFAS through the consumption of contaminated surface water, groundwater, feed or soil. PFAS chemicals are not absorbed through the skin. The NSW Department of Primary Industries suggests there is no consistent evidence that exposure to PFAS, at concentrations typically found in contaminated areas, is harmful to animal health and wellbeing. More information can be found at the Department of Primary Industries factsheet PFAS contamination and animal health.

Regional NSW

Results

Frequently asked questions

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