New bore a step forward in PFAS response

A new bore at Saleyards Lane has been identified as a viable option to help supplement Narrabri’s town water supply as work continues to address PFAS contamination.

Narrabri Shire Council provided an update on PFAS water matters at its May meeting.

PFAS contamination was detected in Narrabri’s water supply in 2024, prompting council to investigate a range of short and longer-term solutions.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they can persist in soil and groundwater for long periods. Australian drinking water guidelines for several PFAS compounds were tightened in 2025 following a review of the latest scientific evidence.

In its update, council said a request for quotation to design and install overhead high-voltage electricity to the Saleyards Lane bore site has been prepared.

An application has been made to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to add the Saleyards Lane bore to the Narrabri town water supply Water Access Licence following receipt of the final report.

When the modification is approved, council will move to construct the headworks infrastructure on the bore head and connect it to the Namoi reservoirs.

Progress has also continued on a portable water treatment plant.

A pre-tender meeting with pre-selected tenderers for the design and construction of the plant was held on site at the Namoi Reservoirs in April.

The tender documents for the PFAS treatment plant to provide to the pre-selected tenderers were completed and were expected to be issued in May.

Council received $4 million from the state government to support short and medium-term options to address the PFAS issue, including the portable plant.

Council will advise the community regarding a detailed timeline for the project upon successful selection of the tender.

“There are still a number of hurdles and hoops to go through, but it’s making excellent progress,” Mayor Darrell Tiemens told the meeting.

Cr Tiemens queried council’s infrastructure delivery director Warren Faulkner on whether the department had been cooperative.

Mr Faulkner indicated council had been working well with the department and was clarifying some matters.

“It’s progressing as per the plan and the funding deed that we have with the department for $4 million,” Mr Faulkner said.

The most recent PFAS testing results on the town’s water supply show it continues to comply with Australian drinking water guidelines.

The Tibbereena Street bore continues to supplement water supplied from the Elizabeth Street bore.

The Killarney bore remains switched off, with testing continuing to show the bore above current guidelines, highlighting the ongoing challenge posed by the contamination.

Daily monitoring of bore operations and reservoir levels shows the town water supply is sustainable and secure while work continues on longer-term solutions to the PFAS contamination.