Water treatment plant will exceed government funding

Construction costs for a temporary PFAS treatment plant in Narrabri would “significantly” exceed funding provided by the state government, according to Narrabri Shire Council.

In its latest update regarding PFAS, including testing results, the council advised that a pre-tender estimate by Public Works Advisory had determined that a plant next to the Namoi Street reservoirs would cost significantly more than the $4m provided through the NSW government’s emergency funding.

The council also received an estimate from PWA to rescope the project for treating the PFAS-affected Killarney Street bore only.

That estimate also determined that such a project would exceed the funds provided.

“A revised medium-term strategy for the project is being developed, which will likely involve council approaching the NSW Water Minister to seek additional capital funds to support its implementation,” the council’s update read.

A licence application to modify the Narrabri Town Water Access Licence to include a new bore at Saleyards Lane remains under assessment by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

“Initial investigations indicate the bore water may require additional treatment before it can be added to the water supply,” the council’s update read.

“Council is currently working with NSW Health to further assess this issue.

“Council is investigating the feasibility of the Logans Lane test bore as another alternate water production bore for the Narrabri water supply.”

A registered survey has been commissioned to determine if the Logans Lane bore would be located within the road reserve of the travelling stock route owned by Local Land Services.

“Once ownership of the land on which the bore is located is determined, council will proceed to confirm this bore’s suitability as an additional/alternate water production bore,” the update read.

Testing of the Namoi reservoir, conducted on 12 August, showed PFHxS levels of 1ng/l (below the guideline of 30ng/l) and PFOS of 3ng/l (below the guideline of 8ng/l).

The latest testing of the Elizabeth Street bore showed no detection of PFHxS, PFOA or PFBS, with PFOS at 1ng/l.

The Tibbereena Street bore was at 11ng/l for PFOS, PFHxS at 8ng/l and PFBS at 2ng/l. PFOA was not detected.

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

The Killarney bore remains switched off, with testing continuing to show the bore above current guidelines. Results from 12 August saw the bore at 27ng/l for PFHxS, 28ng/l for PFOS, PFBS at 5ng/l and PFOA at 2ng/l.