Groundwater investigation underway in South West Rocks

Published on 08 August 2022

Kempsey Shire Council and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have been notified that chemical substances have been detected in South West Rocks.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in groundwater beneath the former Caltex terminal on Phillip Drive.

Council is working with the EPA to conduct sampling and testing of surrounding South West Rocks waterways including Saltwater Creek to determine any potential pathways in which the community may be exposed to PFAS.

Council and the EPA will inform and engage the community and landholders as the investigation progresses.

The presence of these substances in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a human health risk. A PFAS is primarily absorbed into a person’s system through ingestion, such as drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.

From the 1960s until the 1990s Shell and Caltex operated bulk oil terminals in South West Rocks. They were decommissioned to an industry level standard and both sites were acquired by developers wanting to remediate them to a higher residential level standard.

Investigations in relation to the nature of the PFAS in the groundwater and any required remediation measures are occurring.

A PFAS is a very stable chemical that does not break down easily and persist for a long time in the environment. Due to their fire retardant, waterproofing and stain resistant qualities, these chemicals have been widely used in many industrial and consumer products worldwide such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, fabric, furniture and carpet stain protection applications, clothing, and some types of fire-fighting foam.

Advice released by the Australian Government in June 2019 states that PFAS has not been shown to cause disease in humans and “probably has minimal impact on human health”.

Further information about PFAS management is available at The NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program.