PFAS Testing for Culcairn Water Supply
NSW Health have invited Greater Hume Council to participate in PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) testing for the Culcairn drinking water supply. To date, two rounds of testing the townships treated drinking water have been undertaken with the second round extended to include testing of untreated water sourced from each of the townships two ground water bores. All results have not detected PFAS chemicals.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are manufactured chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. PFAS has been used widely since the 1950s. PFAS are resistant to heat, stains, grease and water, commonly being used in items like non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, water-repelling fabrics, cleaning products and personal care products. PFAS are persistent in the environment and do not easily break down easily. PFAS can pose a risk to health with prolonged or elevated levels of exposure. As a result of their widespread use, PFAS have been found to be present in low levels in some surface water and groundwater around the world.
Summary of PFAS Testing Results
In June 2025, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) were amended to significantly reduce the recommended health-based guideline levels for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The ADWG health-based guideline values and testing results are listed in the table below.
| PFAS Substance |
Results Round 1 Testing 14/11/2024 |
Results Round 2 Testing 5/09/2025 |
ADWG Health-based Limit |
| |
Treated Drinking Water |
Treated Drinking Water |
Bore 1 Untreated Water |
Bore 2 Untreated Water |
|
| PFBS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
1,000 ng/L |
| PFHxS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
30 ng/L |
| PFOS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
8 ng/L |
| PFOA |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
200 ng/L |
| PFHxS + PFOS |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
<1 ng/L |
No Guideline Limit
|
| PFPO-DA |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
No Guideline Limit |
| PFBS |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
<5 ng/L |
No Guideline Limit |
Note: “Less than” in the results means that the test cannot measure the amount of chemical below this value.
The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) continues to investigate PFAS contamination at various locations across the state. There are currently no concerns related to PFAS in the Culcairn water catchment area.
Greater Hume Council is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing safety of its water supply and will keep residents informed about any developments. For more information about PFAS, residents are encouraged to visit the NSW EPA website www.epa.nsw.gov.au.
Other Water Supply Schemes
Residents that are connected to the Villages Water Supply Scheme (Jindera, Burrumbuttock, Brocklesby, Glenellen, Gerogery and Gerogery West) receive water treated by Albury City Council. Click here to find Information on PFAS testing undertaken by Albury City Council.
Residents that are connected to Riverina Water County Council’s reticulated water supply network (Holbrook, Henty, Walla Walla, Morven, Woomargama and Walbundrie) can find further information on PFAS testing undertaken by Riverina Water County Council.