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Important information for communities around RAAF Base Wagga.

Investigations and findings

In November 2018, Defence completed investigations into PFAS contamination on and around RAAF Base Wagga.

Defence recognises that PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Wagga is a significant issue for the local community. Defence is working with other Commonwealth agencies and the New South Wales (NSW) Government to manage, remediate and monitor PFAS contamination in the area.

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. PFAS at 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.

Three key source areas were identified where PFAS was found in soil, surface water and groundwater at concentrations that required further study or action:

  • the former fire training area
  • current fire station
  • fire extinguisher training pad and former fire station area.

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. This assessment determined the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the monitoring area and to local plant and animal life. More details on Defence’s risk assessments can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet under the Recent reports and factsheets section.

To support communities to reduce their exposure to PFAS, the NSW Environment Protection Authority has issued precautionary advice.

Additional investigations

Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from the source areas and how much PFAS are leaving the base. The investigations found that PFAS mainly moves off base through sewer pipes to the Forest Hill Sewage Treatment Plant and stormwater pipes to the Gumly Gumly Wetland, and then onto Marshalls Creek. These findings were used to help determine the best remediation actions to further reduce the amount of PFAS leaving RAAF Base Wagga.

Remediation and management

In May 2025, Defence completed all planned remediation works at RAAF Base Wagga. This included remedial works at the current fire station and fire training pad. The remediation is expected to reduce PFAS leaving the base, and over time contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the monitoring area. 

Remediation works included removing redundant infrastructure, and replacing or repairing damaged utilities that enabled PFAS to move off the base. Excavated soil was transported off-base to a licensed waste facility. Soil with the highest concentrations of PFAS were transported from the base to a specialised and regulated treatment facility in Victoria for thermal destruction. 

The remediation works removed 1,330 tonnes of PFAS impacted soil from the area, and an additional 549 tonnes of debris containing PFAS were also removed. Repairs to sewer and stormwater infrastructure in the area were also undertaken and are expected to reduce PFAS moving off-base. 

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around RAAF Base Wagga through sampling of surface water and groundwater. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time. Results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence continues to work with Riverina Water Country Council, the NSW Government, and Wagga Wagga City Council to manage any changes detected by monitoring.

Initial monitoring of groundwater east of the Gumly Gumly Wetland identified that the PFAS plume was more extensive than first estimated. Defence has since installed a more extensive network of groundwater monitoring wells in the monitoring area to provide more information on the extent and movement of the plume.

PFAS detections near East Wagga borefield

In 2023, Defence detected low levels of PFAS at two groundwater monitoring wells approximately 650 metres from the East Wagga borefield operated by Riverina Water Country Council. These monitoring wells are not part of the Riverina drinking water supply and PFAS levels were below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The East Wagga borefield is one of four main water sources used by Riverina Water Country Council. Defence expanded the monitoring network in east Wagga in 2023 and 2024 to increase the understanding of PFAS contamination in the area.

Sampling undertaken in February 2025 detected PFAS above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for PFAS within the newly installed monitoring wells. Sampling undertaken in September 2025 shows PFAS in the east Wagga supply bores remain below the drinking water guidelines and is safe to consume. Defence will continue to monitor these locations to identify if any action needs to be taken.

While these results suggest the PFAS plume from RAAF Base Wagga is more extensive than originally predicted, currently there is no threat to Wagga Wagga’s water supply.

Defence is working closely with Riverina Water Country Council, the NSW Government, and Wagga Wagga City Council to help safeguard the Wagga Wagga water supply over the long-term, including to conduct regular testing.

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

Some archived information has been superseded by recent reports and factsheets.

Documents Archive - Wagga (PDF, 231.93 KB)

Last review: 20 January 2026