WaterNSW publishes PFAS data for Upper Blue Mountains dams
28 AUGUST 2024WaterNSW, as Greater Sydney’s catchment manager, is conducting additional, targeted PFAS-related investigations to ensure Sydney Water and NSW Health have up-to-date information on the presence of PFAS in the catchment, so any risks continue to be managed appropriately.
The current investigation centres on the Blue Mountains area in the upper reaches of the Greater Sydney catchment where Sydney Water testing detected PFAS at levels below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in the Cascade water filtration plant supply.
Sydney Water has confirmed the water supplied from the Cascade water filtration plant to local communities is safe to consume and meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
The WaterNSW investigation, involving specialist water quality scientists, seeks to identify any new localised PFAS contamination sources.
Preliminary results, published on the WaterNSW website, indicate Medlow Dam is the only part of the Blue Mountains dam network returning elevated results.
This dam does not supply raw water directly, but as a precautionary measure has been disconnected from supply while further investigations are conducted.
The small Blue Mountains dam network is a series of five dams which supply Cascade water filtration plant. These dams will be subject to ongoing, targeted investigation and monitoring.
WaterNSW will keep the community informed as the investigation progresses and work closely with NSW Health and Sydney Water to ensure drinking water remains safe.
Further information, including water monitoring results, are available on the WaterNSW website at http://waternsw.com.au/pfas
Sydney Water PFAS information
View at sydneywater.com.au >
NSW Health PFAS information
View at health.nsw.gov.au >