Latest updates

Important information for communities around RAAF Base Pearce.

Investigations and findings

In November 2018, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around RAAF Base Pearce.

Defence recognises that the PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Pearce is a significant issue for the local community. Defence is committed to working with other Commonwealth agencies and the Western Australian Government to manage, remediate and monitor PFAS contamination in this area.

The investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously used, stored or disposed. These are called source areas. PFAS in these locations can be found in soil and in water flowing through the source areas. PFAS moves in surface water flowing through drains and creeks or groundwater that flows underground through soil and rock.

Six source areas were found on the base where PFAS concentrations required further study or action. These were:

  • fire training area
  • former fire training areas
  • hangar 93 and foam disposal pit
  • grounds maintenance area
  • former fuel farm
  • RAAF Base Pearce landfill.

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area and to the environment.

The investigations found that drinking bore water presents an elevated exposure risk at some properties where PFAS was detected above drinking water guidelines. These properties were supplied with bottled water, and are now connected to scheme water.

The investigations also found that drinking bore water, where PFAS was detected below drinking water guidelines, presented an acceptable exposure risk for the majority of properties within the investigation area.

The assessment found there was a low risk of exposure when using bore water for activities including showering, washing pets, gardening, and eating locally-grown food including chicken eggs, fruit and vegetables, that are watered with bore water or contaminated groundwater. More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet in the ‘Recent reports and factsheets’ section.

Additional investigations

Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from source areas and how much PFAS are leaving the base. This study helps determine the best remediation actions to reduce the amount of PFAS leaving RAAF Base Pearce.

The investigations found that PFAS mainly moves off the base through surface water and a series of drains, crossing the southern boundary into Ki-It Monger Brook. A smaller amount of PFAS also moves through surface water over the western boundary and off the base into Ellen Brook. The PFAS then soaks down underground into groundwater, which is why PFAS are found in bores located off the base. This assessment also confirmed that the PFAS contaminated surface soils on the base were the key source areas requiring remediation.

Remediation and management

In July 2025, all planned remediation works at RAAF Base Pearce were completed. Remediation works will reduce PFAS leaving the base, and over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area.

Soil remediation

The following provides an update for each of the major PFAS sources identified in the investigations:

Fire training area (Source Area A)

The fire training area is located around the air traffic control tower. Investigations confirmed that this area was the largest source of PFAS leaving the base. Soil in this area was contaminated with PFAS during historic fire training exercises. When it rains, PFAS moves in the water into nearby stormwater drains and leaves the base. A remediation action plan was prepared to reduce the amount of PFAS entering surface drains and flowing off the base.

The remediation involved placing an engineered lining over the contaminated soils, to stop rain water interacting with PFAS impacted soil. Excavation of the soil was not completed as the area has numerous sensitive underground services that are critical for ongoing base operations.

Other former fire training areas (Source Area B)

Further studies of the former fire training areas were conducted in 2021 and 2022. The amount of PFAS found was small compared to the fire training area and did not require remediation. No remedial works were completed at this area

Hangar 93 and foam disposal pit

In early 2023, further investigations at Hangar 93 and the foam disposal pit found the amount of PFAS in surface water run-off was low. The concrete surfaces in this source area did not require remediation or management.

However, PFAS was found within the pipes located in the area. Planned maintenance at the base will replace this infrastructure and reduce the amount of PFAS impacted water entering the environment. No other remedial works were required at this area. 

Grounds maintenance area

In April 2021, remediation at the ground maintenance area was completed. Soil containing the highest PFAS concentrations was removed. The area was then sealed with asphalt and concrete pavements. 

Former fuel farm and RAAF Base Pearce landfill

Further assessment determined that the former fuel farm and RAAF Base Pearce landfill were not major contributors of PFAS movement from the base and did not require further remedial works. No remedial works were completed at these source areas.

Management actions

Scheme water supply

Defence engaged Civcon Civil and Project Management Pty Ltd to connect eligible properties in West and South Bullsbrook, with a metered, potable water service from a new West Australian Water Corporation water main. This work is now complete.

Bottled water supply

Residents within the RAAF Base Pearce management area received bottled water during the planning and delivery of Bullsbrook scheme water project. As eligible properties are now connected to scheme water, Defence’s bottled water supply program has been finalised.

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around RAAF Base Pearce through sampling of groundwater, surface water, and sediment. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.

The results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.

Monitoring results to date have found no significant changes to the distribution of PFAS in the Management Area. However, the remedial works are expected to reduce PFAS from leaving the base, and over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS concentrations in the surrounding environment.

Recent reports and factsheets

Reports and factsheets from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. All website links and contact details in these documents were correct at the time of publication, but may change over time. To discuss these reports, contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.

Document archive

The RAAF Base Pearce document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.

Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.

Documents Archive - Pearce (PDF, 316.06 KB)

Last review: 27 August 2026

Contacts

1800 987 614

bullsbrook.defence@ghd.com

Translating and interpreting service
131 450