Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of more than 4,000 chemicals. They have been used around the world since the 1940s in products like:

• non-stick cookware
• stain-resistant fabric
• some cosmetics
• some firefighting foams.

There are concerns about PFAS because they break down extremely slowly and are highly mobile in the environment. PFAS are often called "forever chemicals".

Read more about what PFAS are and how they have been used on the Australian Government’s PFAS website.

We follow national guidance and advice to minimise possible exposure to PFAS.

PFAS and health

Many people in Australia have been exposed to PFAS and have very low levels of PFAS in their bodies. Exposure to PFAS can occur through:

• food
• dust
• air
• water
• contact with consumer products with PFAS in them.

Read the health information about PFAS on the Australian Government’s PFAS website.

PFAS and drinking water

The ACT’s drinking water is safe to drink. It meets the requirements under the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The NHMRC updated the PFAS guideline values in June 2025. The new guideline values are lower than the values published in 2018. They help water utilities and regulators to work towards reducing community exposure to PFAS.

Icon Water tests water from each of its water treatment plants:

• PFAS have not been detected in Canberra’s final drinking water
• there have been no results above Australian Drinking Water Guideline limits in the untreated source water in the catchments.

Read more about Icon Water's testing process and results.

PFAS at emergency services sites

In Australia, PFAS are found in higher concentrations in areas where PFAS-containing products, such as firefighting foams, were used. ACT Fire & Rescue has not used PFAS-containing foams since April 2005.

Testing and assessments

An independent environmental consultant tested soil and water at Emergency Service Agency (ESA) station sites and neighbouring land.

We have precautionary site management plans at sites where PFAS firefighting foam was used and PFAS have been detected. Measures may include:

• fencing off the affected areas
• not using affected soil to grow fruit or vegetables
• avoiding contact with the soil, and wash hands if there is contact with the soil.

We are now assessing sites used by ACT Rural Fire Service. The assessment results will tell us if we need to do anything else.

How we remove PFAS contamination

There are environmental compliant plans to remediate the sites where PFAS was detected at levels that exceed national ecological or human health levels. This means we will do some work to reduce the risk associated with PFAS contamination.

This work is precautionary. There is a low risk for the environment and people who use the site. We will inform nearby residents and businesses of work taking place and answer their questions.

If you have any questions about the PFAS remediation work at current and former ESA sites, email JACSPFAS@act.gov.au.

PFAS contamination at other sites in the ACT

All potentially contaminated sites where there is a potential risk to human health or the environment must be:

• assessed
• remediated
• independently audited (if required) by the EPA or an EPA accredited contaminated land auditor.

The relevant land custodian manages sites where PFAS have been identified. The EPA regulates these sites.

To find out about contaminated land go to the Access Canberra website.

Related information

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