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Sources of PFAS Contamination in Blue Mountains Water Supply Identified

WaterNSW confirms firefighting foam from past accidents and a fire station as contamination sources, while drinking water remains within national safety guidelines.

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Overview

  • WaterNSW has traced PFAS contamination in the Blue Mountains water supply to two historical vehicle accidents and the Medlow Bath Rural Fire Brigade Station.
  • The contamination stems from PFAS-based firefighting foam used in 1992 and 2002 and runoff from the upper Adams Creek catchment.
  • Sydney Water installed a $3.4 million mobile treatment plant in January 2025, treating four megalitres of water daily to mitigate PFAS levels.
  • NSW Health and Sydney Water maintain that the region's drinking water meets national safety standards despite the presence of PFAS.
  • A parliamentary inquiry is underway to address statewide PFAS contamination risks, with calls for an independent authority to oversee remediation efforts.