Riverina Water uses dilution to bring PFAS levels in Wagga Wagga supply within safety limits
Riverina Water reported that a dilution strategy has lowered PFAS concentrations in Wagga Wagga's treated water to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines after testing found elevated levels in two West Wagga bores.
In December 2025, Riverina Water detected unexpectedly high PFAS, including PFOS at 0.015 ng/L, in two raw-water bores on West Wagga, exceeding the 0.008 ng/L Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The utility responded by implementing a dilution regime that reduced PFAS concentrations in the treated supply to within acceptable limits, assuring residents the water remains safe to drink. Engineering director Troy Van Berkel noted that investigations suggest several possible historic sources rather than a single point, and the contamination is not linked to the nearby RAAF base or the Kapooka Military Area.
Friends of the Earth and researcher Anthony Amis have called for tap-water testing, while PFAS specialist Cheng Zhang described dilution as a pragmatic interim measure pending broader remediation technologies. The NSW Environment Protection Authority will continue the investigation, and the state government says it will work with water utilities on long-term PFAS management.
Why it matters
Safe drinking water is essential, and PFAS contamination poses health risks for the community.
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