PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the mid-1900s. They are chemicals used to make products which resist heat, stains, grease and water. PFAS remain in the environment, including water and soil, for a long time. PFAS chemicals can build up in the body and take a long time to be removed.
Below Frequently Asked Questions may be helpful to undertint PFAS in our community.
Learn more about PFAS visit NSW Health
What are the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines regarding PFAS?
Standards for Australian Drinking Water as set by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. The below table shows the current and proposed new PFAS guidelines for Australian Drinking Water. The proposed new guidelines are expected to take effect later this year.
| PFAS Type | Current Limits (ADWG, 2011) | New Proposed Limits (ADWG, TBD) |
|---|---|---|
| PFOS | Less than 0.07 micrograms / L (ug/L) | Less than 0.004 ug/L |
| PFHxS | Less than 0.07 micrograms / L (ug/L) | Less than 0.03ug/L |
| PFOA | 0.56 micrograms / L (ug/L) | Less than 0.2 ug/L |
| PFBS | N/A | Less than 1.0 ug/L |
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Central Coast Council has highly-experienced field staff and expert water quality scientists undertaking sampling and analysis.
Our partner labs have detailed steps that must be followed to ensure accurate analysis of our samples. This is essential to ensure that samples are not contaminated by everyday items that contain PFAS such as outdoor clothing, makeup, and sunscreen. Our monitoring teams are ISO 9001 certified, and all partner laboratories are NATA accredited.
Central Coast Council Water & Sewer is highly regulated and subject to extensive external regulatory oversight. This ensures Central Coast Council’s work in this field is meticulous and meets the highest standard. Central Coast Council has an extensive water quality monitoring program.
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Central Coast Council carries out a quarterly water testing program. Additional or ad hoc testing may be conducted as needed, like in the instance of a PFAS detection.
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The results of the testing are available here on our website.
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Yes. In January 2025 a sample of raw (untreated) water, elevated levels of PFAS were detected in one section of the upper reaches of the Ourimbah Creek catchment. This catchment is not currently being used as a water source for Council’s drinking water supply. Central Coast Drinking Water Supply is safe and meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
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As a Water Utility, Council is required to report elevated PFAS results to NSW Health and the NSW Environmental Protection Authority. A multi-agency response is then triggered in accordance with the context of the detection.