PFAS Testing Results Received for Narrabri Shire

Published on 12 December 2024

Narrabri Shire Council has recently undertaken additional drinking water testing focused specifically on PFAS in response to the National Health and Medical Research Centre’s (NHMRC) proposed new guidelines for PFAS values in drinking water.

All seven town water supplies managed by Council were subject to this additional testing and all sites results were within current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Baan Baa, Bellata, Boggabri, Gwabegar, Pilliga, and Wee Waa all returned negative results for PFAS.

The Killarney Bore, Tibberena Bore and Elizabeth Bore, which feed the Narrabri town water supply each returned positive results for PFAS, however the values all sit below the current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recommended value for total PFAS of 70 ng/L.

Narrabri Shire Council Interim General Manager, Eloise Chaplain, advised that regular testing will continue and results will be published on Council’s website.

“Supplying safe drinking water to our residents and visitors is a responsibility we take very seriously, and Council will implement the necessary testing, monitoring and actions to ensure that we continue to supply water that meets all safe drinking water guidelines”.

Council has increased testing frequency to identify whether the current presence of PFAS has been caused by recent external factors and if any trends can be detected.

Mayor Darrel Tiemens said, “I have every confidence in Council’s staff to handle this matter diligently and we will prioritise keeping the community informed as further testing is undertaken”.

The relevant agencies have been informed by Council and we will continue to work with them on the matter.

Residents are able to find out more about the current safe drinking water guidelines, the NHMRC’s proposed new guidelines, and testing results for the Narrabri Shire on Council’s website - www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/Resident-Services/Water-Sewer/PFAS