The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) and the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) have received $5 million over two years to undertake per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing and remediation of facilities across both agencies, as well as determine future requirements.

This is being led by a dedicated PFAS Joint-Agency Project Team who will deliver key initiatives to appropriately manage sites impacted by PFAS, including capability development, strategy, policy, engagement, and reporting.

Background

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) formulations containing PFAS were widely introduced to firefighting agencies in the 1960s to fight liquid fuel fires. In the late 1990s researchers began to identify PFAS chemicals as non-biodegradable, extremely mobile and already present in the environment due to widespread usage.

PFAS are a group of more than 4000 synthetic chemicals which include Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). First produced in the 1940s and 1950s, PFAS are very effective at resisting heat, stains, grease and water. Because of this, they were used in the manufacturing of numerous commercial and industrial products such as upholstery, textiles, hydraulic fluid, non-stick cookware, food packaging, Scotchgard and firefighting foams. PFAS are highly mobile and do not break down in the environment so they can last for a long time. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, PFAS can be found around the globe in soils, surface water and groundwater.

People can be exposed to PFAS by:

  • Using products made with PFAS or that are packaged in materials containing PFAS.
  • Eating food contaminated with PFAS (such as food grown using contaminated groundwater, or seafood sourced from contaminated waterways).
  • Drinking water contaminated with PFAS (such as bore water).
  • Working in occupations such as firefighting or chemical manufacturing and processing where PFAS-containing products were used.
  • Ingesting or inhaling contaminated soil or dust.
  • Skin contact with materials containing PFAS.

Increased levels of PFAS are commonly found near:

  • PFAS manufacturing facilities.
  • Wastewater treatment facilities.
  • Landfills.
  • Places where PFAS containing fire-fighting foams (such as AFFF) have been used, including:
    • Mining operations.
    • Fuel refineries.
    • Airports.
    • Fire-training grounds.

PFAS are naturally removed, very slowly from the human body. This means when people are repeatedly exposed to PFAS, it can accumulate in their bodies.

Please see the SA Health website for the most up to date information.

All CFS appliances carry modern firefighting foams that do not contain PFOS or PFOA (types of PFAS) and are fluorine free. The CFS ceased use of PFAS-containing foams in 2017, noting they were ceased from usage at the CFS State Training Centre in 2002, after extensive research, consultation, and liaison with both the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

In January 2018, South Australia became the first state to ban all fluorinated firefighting foams (not just PFOA and PFOS containing foams). There was a two-year change over period in place, to ensure all facilities changed to fluorine free foam by early 2020.

CFS  PFAS Investigations

The CFS are conducting environmental investigations is to identify the possible presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical AFFF at CFS sites and surrounding areas. The investigations will include the assessment of any potential risks to human health and the environment. The CFS have an estimated 465 sites, in addition to any offsite training locations, that require risk profiling for further investigation based on their potential to negatively impact the environment and human health.

The EPA oversees the progress of CFS PFAS investigations. Investigations are undertaken by experienced and suitably qualified environmental service providers and in accordance with the relevant and current national and state guidelines. Environmental testing takes time, and it is important that the CFS works closely with communities while we investigate the possible nature and extent of PFAS contamination if identified. The CFS is committed to being open and transparent with the community about PFAS investigations at our sites.

We will make the verified test results available to the community through our reports and will share this information with relevant state and local authorities. Sites where investigations are currently underway or have already occurred are listed under Community Reporting.

Community reporting

The CFS begun investigation works at the Brukunga State Training Centre in 2019 to better understand the presence PFAS on and around the site. The objective of these investigations was to identify the presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical AFFF at the site and surrounding areas.

The investigations also assess any potential risks to human health and the environment. For further information, please see the Brukunga - State Training Centre PFAS Update Factsheet.

Site investigations commenced in 2019.

In December 2019, a Voluntary Site Contamination Assessment Proposal (VSCAP) was entered into between the CFS and the EPA.

In March 2020, a Preliminary Site Investigation was completed.

In January 2020, a community update forum was held.

In late 2020, a water filtration plant for PFAS was installed. The PFAS filtration plant removes PFAS from water stored on-site before it is released back into the Dawesley Creek. The treatment process reduces PFAS to levels that are safe for the creek’s ecosystems and connected waterways. In addition to this, some of the treated water is reused by the CFS State Training Centre to help maintain water supplies in their storage tanks.

In March 2021, a Detailed Site Investigation was completed.

In November 2023, a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) was completed. A summary of the findings from the HHERA can be found in the Brukunga - State Training Centre PFAS Update Factsheet.

In October 2023, a Site Management Plan and Surface Water Monitoring Plan (SWMP) was developed for the site.

In June 2024 a community update forum was held.

Next steps

Monitoring of surface water in the site’s vicinity is currently continuing in accordance with the SWMP. This will assist in informing key stakeholders if PFAS levels are changing over time.

Reports

  • 2019 – Brukunga Detailed Site Investment
  • 2020 – Brukunga Preliminary Site Investigation
  • 2023 – Brukunga Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment
  • 2023 – Site Management Plan and Surface Water Monitoring Plan and Management Plan
  • Letter to residents - 28 May 2024
  • PFAS Community Update
  • PFAS impacts in surface water and sediment
  • Former Brukunga Mine Property – Identified PFAS Impacted Area

Report files are too large to host online and are available on request. To access detailed reports on the Brukunga - CFS State Training Centre investigation please contact ess.pfasenquiries@eso.sa.gov.au.

The CFS has begun investigation works at Cherry Gardens Fire Station (located on Cherry Gardens Road) to better understand the presence of PFAS on and around this site.

The objective of this investigation is to identify the presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical AFFF at the site. Investigation findings will be used to identify site-specific management actions to address potential PFAS impacts. The investigations will also assess any potential risks to human health and the environment.

In April 2022, a Soil Investigation was completed.

In October 2023, a Preliminary Site Investigation and Detailed Site Investigation was completed.

Next steps

The EPA will review the Preliminary Site Investigation to determine next steps. A Voluntary Site Contamination Assessment Proposal (VSCAP) is to be entered into between the CFS and the EPA.

Reports

  • 2022 – Cherry Gardens Soil Investigation
  • 2023 – Cherry Gardens Detailed Site Investigation
  • 2023 – Cherry Gardens Preliminary Site Investigation

Report files are too large to host online and are available on request. To access detailed reports on the Cherry Gardens investigation please contact ess.pfasenquiries@eso.sa.gov.au.

The CFS has begun investigation works at Millicent Fire Station (located on Academy Drive) to better understand the presence of PFAS on and around this site.

The objective of this investigation is to identify the presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical AFFF at the site. Investigation findings will be used to identify site-specific management actions to address potential PFAS impacts. The investigations will also assess any potential risks to human health and the environment.

In July 2024, a Preliminary Site Investigation was completed.

Next steps

The EPA will review the Preliminary Site Investigation to determine next steps.

The CFS has begun investigation works at the Southern Training Centre/Region 5 Training Centre (located on Menhennits Road) to better understand the presence of PFAS on and around this site.

The objective of this investigation is to identify the presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical AFFF at the site. Investigation findings will be used to identify site-specific management actions to address potential PFAS impacts. The investigations will also assess any potential risks to human health and the environment.

In 2021, a Preliminary Site Investigation and Detailed Site Investigation were completed.

In October 2021, a Voluntary Site Contamination Assessment Proposal (VSCAP) was entered into between the CFS and the SA EPA.

In February 2024, a Further Detailed Site Investigation was completed.

Next Steps

Further investigations are occurring in 2025.

Reports

  • 2021 Preliminary Site Investigation & Detailed Site Investigation

Report files are too large to host online and are available on request. To access detailed reports on the Naracoorte/Wild Dog Valley – Southern Training Centre investigation please contact ess.pfasenquiries@eso.sa.gov.au.

 

Further information

SA Health
 
PFAS Joint-Agency Project Team 
 
SA EPA
 
Australian Government