Water quality
Our water is stringently tested to ensure it meets the standards set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Testing is carried out regularly at our natural water sources, our treatment plants and catchments.
We have also adopted a Drinking Water Quality Policy(PDF, 330KB) to make sure our water supply is safe and provides high quality water. we provide the same standard of water across all our schemes.
Drinking water and PFAS
What are PFAS?
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made synthetic 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, as listed on their website.
Importantly, no sites in the Murrumbidgee Council drinking water catchment area are under investigation for PFAS.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) has stated that drinking water supplies that comply with the current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) are safe to drink.
How is Murrumbidgee Council responding?
In late October 2024, we took part in the NSW Health program to test for PFAS in drinking water. The test results, received in early November, showed a very low level of one type of PFAS called PFOS. This level was much lower than the limits set by current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and under the proposed new limits.
Summary of the PFAS levels taken in October 2024
| Substance |
Result Jerilderie |
Result Coleambally |
Result Darlington Point |
Current ADWG guideline |
Proposed new guideline |
| PFBS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
No current value |
1000 ng/L |
| PFHxS |
0.0001 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
70 ng/L |
30 ng/L |
| PFOS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
70 ng/L |
4 ng/L |
| PFOA |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
560 ng/L |
200 ng/L |
Note: 0.001 microgram/litre (µg/L) = 1 nanogram/litre (ng/L).
We will continue to monitor drinking water with guidance from NSW Health.