Defence is progressing detailed investigations to identify the extent and levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on, and in the vicinity of, RAAF Base Williamtown. Defence has taken over 430 residential water samples and around 90 percent have returned nil detect.
Defence continues to collaboratively work with the NSW Environment Protection Authority to ensure they have current information when considering possible actions. Defence is providing the technical interpretation of the aquatic sampling data, collected by NSW government departments, to the NSW Environment Protection Authority today.
Defence is on track to finalise the environmental site assessment in the next month, comprehensive human health risk assessment in late July 2016 and ecological risk assessment in mid August 2016. Defence will provide these reports to the NSW Environment Protection Authority and release them publicly.
Once the reports are released, residents, businesses and local stakeholders will be offered a chance to discuss the findings with Defence and NSW representatives.
Media note:
More information about the Defence National PFC Environmental Management Program is available online at http://www.defence.gov.au/id/Williamtown/Default.asp
A fact sheet about the preliminary water sampling program and Defence’s historical use of PFCs can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/id/PFOSPFOA/DefenceSites.asp
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
