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PFAS chemicals found to have contaminated groundwater near Pearce airbase in WA

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An investigation funded by the Department of Defence found contaminated soil, surface water and groundwater at the base.
Six private bores on properties near the base also contained chemicals above the accepted level for drinking water.
Department of Defence PFAS Investigation and Management assistant secretary Luke McLeod said six bores had elevated levels, with at least one eight times above the level set by Australian drinking water guidelines.
However Mr McLeod said affected residents had been provided an alternative drinking water source when the investigation began in 2016.
Defence is not an environmental health regulator, a health expert, so we do rely on the advice provided by those state authorities to issue any advisories that they may deem necessary," Mr McLeod said.
The air base itself also had a number of areas of heavy contamination, which Mr McLeod said was being managed by the use of protective clothing and equipment.
"What we do know though is that the PFAS is largely contained at the base," Mr McLeod said.
West Bullsbrook resident Terol Barbour said she was happy with the information provided by the defence department, but wanted another test done on her bore.
"As far as I can see we haven’t been impacted by it, so I’m very pleased about that," Ms Tampalini said.

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