Defence’s priority is to support communities impacted by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Defence sites. These efforts include managing, remediating and monitoring PFAS contamination to reduce the potential exposure and health risks for people, animals and the environment.
The PFAS Investigation and Management Program identified 28 priority Defence sites using an assessment and prioritisation process based on how legacy firefighting foam was previously disposed of, used or stored.
The program involves 3 broad phases:
- Investigations and planning
- Remediation, management and monitoring
- Long-term monitoring and management.
Investigations and planning
Defence conducted site investigations and human health risk assessments in line with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 and PFAS National Environmental Management Plan.
For each site, the investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously disposed of, used or stored. These are called source areas. Investigations also identified where pathways from the source areas may lead to PFAS exposure for people and the environment. Human health and ecological risk assessments examined the potential PFAS exposure risks.
Defence used this information to develop a PFAS Management Area Plan for each site, setting out the actions it will take to manage potential risks from PFAS contamination.
Remediation, management and monitoring
Defence is focused on implementing the PFAS Management Area Plan at each site.
At a number of sites, remediation works are underway, nearing completion, or are completed. These actions can include removing or treating soil and groundwater in source areas and minimising the movement of PFAS through surface water and groundwater to the surrounding environment.
Over time, these activities are expected to reduce PFAS levels leaving the Defence estate and reducing the potential exposure for people and the environment.
For some sites, management actions also include supplying alternative drinking water to households where drinking water supply may be contaminated.
Defence monitors PFAS contamination on and around impacted sites, with the results published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and accompanying factsheet. This sampling helps Defence understand any changes to where PFAS have been found and the levels of contamination in the environment. Defence uses this information to work out if additional management or remediation may be required or if existing measures need to change.
Long-term monitoring and management
Once Defence has applied all practicable management measures to a site, as outlined in the PFAS Management Area Plan, the site will transition to long-term management.
Long-term management involves ongoing monitoring and, in some cases, ongoing maintenance of remedial works infrastructure.
Long-term management measures are required to address residual PFAS risks and to ensure the remedial measures implemented continue to operate effectively.
It is not possible to remove all PFAS from the environment, and reductions in PFAS levels can take many years. There are currently no practicable remediation approaches that can completely remove all PFAS from the environment. Ongoing monitoring of PFAS at each of the 28 program sites continues to help Defence understand changes in PFAS contamination over time. If monitoring results indicate changes to Defence’s understanding of PFAS, Defence will respond and take appropriate action.