No PFAS detected in latest round of regional water quality testing

Testing of several water sources in the South East, Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges has shown no detection of the human-made class of chemicals known as PFAS, as SA Water continues to progressively sample its drinking water systems across South Australia.

PFAS – or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – have been widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products since the 1950s, such as non-stick cookware, stain protection for fabrics, furniture and carpet, in food packaging, water-repellent clothing, cosmetics, sunscreen and predominantly in some types of fire-fighting foams.

SA Water recently sampled within underground bores at Penola, Robe and Hawker, as well as at Middle River Reservoir on Kangaroo Island, which supplies the communities of Kingscote, Emu Bay and Parndana.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Water Expertise Dr Lionel Ho said all sampling results to date from more than 50 drinking water systems have shown no detectable levels of PFAS, which can give confidence to residents in the safety of their tap water.

“In addition, there are proven technologies in place at many of our water treatment plants which can effectively remove PFAS,” Lionel said.

“This includes reverse osmosis at our Hawker desalination plant in the Flinders Ranges and magnetic ion exchange resin at the Middle River Water Treatment Plant which sources water from the nearby reservoir.

“We also know there is low risk for PFAS contamination within our drinking water catchments, due to no or minimal industries, large populations or other potential sources of PFAS.

“Due to the prevalence of PFAS in many consumer and industrial products, our specialist samplers follow strict guidelines to prevent sample contamination.

“There is an extensive list of items they can’t wear or use during sampling and transportation of samples, such as cosmetics, treated fabrics and containers of certain materials.

“Once the sample is taken, it’s transported to an independent laboratory for NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities)-accredited testing and analysis.

“Sampling at Penola and Robe are the latest water sources in the South East to show no PFAS detections, following testing in May this year in underground bores at Kingston South East and Naracoorte, and Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake and nearby smaller bores in July 2025.

“The Blue Lake has now also transitioned to become part of our routine water quality management program, as with 6 major metropolitan Adelaide reservoirs and targeted locations of the River Murray.”

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011) specify health-based limits for 4 types of PFAS – PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonate), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFBS (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid).

For PFOS the limit is less than 0.008 micrograms per litre, for PFHxS it’s less than 0.03 micrograms per litre, for PFOA the new limit is less than 0.2 micrograms per litre, and for PFBS it’s less than 1.0 micrograms per litre.

SA Health Principal Water Quality Adviser Dr David Cunliffe said SA Water’s proactive PFAS sampling adds to its existing comprehensive water quality testing regime, which involves more than 440,000 water tests each year, or around 1,200 tests every day.

“SA Water customers can be assured that the results of PFAS testing undertaken to date means their water remains safe to drink,” David said.

“We are also continuing to work with SA Water to determine further investigative sampling locations around the state, with the intention to eventually test all SA Water drinking water systems for a fully informed view of the presence of PFAS in our water sources.”

For more information on SA Water’s PFAS sampling and testing work, including all results to date, visit our PFAS and drinking water webpage.