The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will be sampling groundwater and surface water on properties East of the Huntley Waste Emplacement, known as the Huntley Landfill, at Avondale next week after testing found leachate could be leaving the site.
This follows preliminary surface water sampling conducted by the EPA in September which found elevated levels of ammonia and PFAS in Heritage and Mullet creeks.
EPA Officers will be doorknocking neighbours downstream of the landfill, along the upper reaches of Mullet Creek, in Avondale this week to offer opt-in sampling of groundwater bores and creeks.
Samples will be tested at a NATA accredited laboratory for general water quality indicators including PFAS.
The Huntley Landfill operators, Gerringong Property Holdings Pty Ltd, have been issued with a Prevention Notice to ensure onsite issues are addressed.
This includes the need to prevent offsite water pollution, and to undertake infrastructure improvements to capture leachate and ensure that only clean stormwater is discharged.
PFAS in the environment does not necessarily indicate a health risk, however, identifying sites that require investigation is an important precaution to reduce the risk of community and environmental exposure to PFAS.
Test results will inform next steps if needed and individual results will be shared with landholders who have opted in for testing.
NSW Health advice is that surface water from farm dams, rivers and creeks can be contaminated by a range of sources but may be acceptable for non-potable uses such as washing clothes, irrigation, gardening, toilet-flushing.
People should not use groundwater for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing and appropriate treatment.
