Is Kempsey Shire’s water supply safe to drink?

Published on 20 February 2025

Yes, you can continue to enjoy clean and safe drinking water from our local water supplies!

You might have heard a bit of chatter and concern around something called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in some water supplies.  Well, the results are in, and here in the Macleay Valley, we do not have to worry about PFAS in our local water supply.

What is PFAS?

PFAS are human-made chemicals used since the 1950s to manufacture heat, stain, grease, and water-resistant products. While not produced in Australia, they are commonly found in industrial and consumer items such as non-stick cookware, make-up, sunscreen, food packaging, firefighting foams, and even carpets and clothing.

The challenge with PFAS is that they do not easily break down in the environment. Known as “forever chemicals,” these substances persist for long periods, spreading through soil and water. Given their widespread use, monitoring their presence in drinking water is crucial.

Why Do We Test for PFAS?

Testing for PFAS in drinking water is a proactive measure to ensure public health and safety. In 2024, NSW Health recommended that all water authorities in the state conduct PFAS testing as part of routine monitoring.

Kempsey Shire Council took immediate action, testing tap water from all eight water supply systems, including Kempsey, the Lower Macleay area, Crescent Head, Hat Head, South West Rocks, Stuarts Point, Willawarrin, Bellbrook, and the Thunggutti Aboriginal Community.

Trained Council staff collected the samples, which were sent to Sydney Water Laboratory Services—an accredited testing authority. The laboratory results confirmed that the PFAS levels in Kempsey Shire’s tap water were below detectable limits and well within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), both current and proposed.

Your Water is Safe

The results reaffirm our community can continue to drink tap water with confidence, knowing it meets the highest safety standards.