Country councils in New South Wales warn of catastrophic water shortages during future droughts due to PFAS contamination. They urge state and federal governments to provide funding for infrastructure upgrades and remediation efforts.
Country councils in New South Wales, Australia , have raised serious concerns about the impact of PFAS contamination on their drinking water supplies. Representatives from the NSW Country Mayors Association testified before a parliamentary inquiry, warning that the presence of these 'forever chemicals' could lead to catastrophic situations during future droughts if the state government doesn't provide immediate assistance.
Several mayors emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating that PFAS poses a significant threat to the water security and drought resilience of their communities. They pointed out that the western NSW region was already facing a dire situation during the 2019 drought, one of the most severe on record, and the presence of PFAS further exacerbates the vulnerability. The mayors warned that existing water treatment technologies, while capable of removing PFAS, are expensive and require significant investment. They urged the state government and federal authorities to allocate the necessary funds for infrastructure upgrades and remediation efforts, as councils lack the financial resources to address this complex problem alone. The inquiry also heard from local government officials who detailed the significant financial burdens imposed by PFAS contamination. One council reported spending over $250,000 on investigations and remediation efforts, while another warned of potential emergency situations if their main water source were compromised. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) acknowledged the severity of the situation and stated that it is actively engaging with councils to identify potential sources of contamination in affected regions
PFAS Drinking Water Contamination Drought NSW Australia Water Security Remediation
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