As part of its overall water security and environmental management, Central Coast Council proactively tests its water catchments and estuaries to ensure water quality is safe for community use.
As reported last year, Council has an ongoing water monitoring program which from August 2024, has included regular analysis of water catchments and drinking water for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Monitoring results confirm Central Coast drinking water is safe and meets current and proposed Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for PFAS.
However, a recent sample of raw (untreated) water from the upper reaches of the Ourimbah Creek catchment returned a detection of PFAS.
This water is currently not being supplied through Council’s town water system.
Council has informed the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Health of the results and is working with them on possible sources.
Further investigation and sampling is underway, and updates will be provided to the community as they become available.
NSW EPA advises that it is important to note that the presence of PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health or the environment.