UPDATE: Residents of Medlow Bath are facing urgent inquiries as the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will conduct door-to-door surveys following shocking new testing. High levels of toxic PFAS chemicals have been detected in this Blue Mountains township, which was previously linked to the disconnection of two dams serving 78,000 residents from the drinking water supply in August 2024.
Officials confirm that Medlow Bath is at the epicenter of the PFAS contamination crisis. Water scientist Professor Ian Wright from Western Sydney University, who led the research, stated, “The numbers are ridiculous – really alarming.” The contamination levels are so severe that they have raised serious health concerns among residents.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances linked to a myriad of health issues, including cancer and infertility, even at low exposure levels. As part of their response, the EPA will survey 15 properties in Medlow Bath this Wednesday to determine whether residents are using contaminated water sources for their vegetable gardens or backyard chickens.
A spokesperson for the EPA emphasized, “Discovering PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health, but it is important to assess if there are exposure pathways through which people might ingest PFAS.” They reassured the public that “Town (tap) water is safe to use,” but the results from these surveys will dictate whether further testing is necessary.
This alarming discovery comes as other PFAS-affected areas, including Richmond and Williamtown, have warned residents against consuming home-grown produce. “Chickens eat PFAS-laden invertebrates in the soil, and the chemicals wind up in their eggs,” Wright explained.
STOP PFAS convenor Jon Dee echoed concerns regarding the ineffective measures taken thus far. “All the focus has been on the dams and drinking water, but the actual contamination ground zero is in Medlow Bath itself, right next to the highway,” Dee stated. He has been advocating for free blood tests for residents to check their PFAS levels, although NSW Health continues to recommend against this.
Wright’s recent tests revealed PFAS contamination levels in a swamp just 20 metres from homes in Medlow Bath. The concentration of two PFAS chemicals—PFOS and PFHxS—was found to be an astounding 8,000 times above the ecosystem guidelines set by the National Environment Protection Council. This level also exceeds the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for safe recreational water usage.
“There should be signs up saying ‘Contamination! Keep out!’,” Wright warned, noting that children often play in these natural waterways. The sediment near the contamination site showed PFOS and PFHxS levels 100 times higher than safe limits for residential gardens, posing a significant risk to local food sources.
Wright suspects that the contamination has spread into the local aquifer, potentially affecting private lands as well. The contamination source has been traced back to firefighting foam used during a 1992 tanker crash. This implies that residents may have been exposed to these harmful chemicals for over three decades.
As part of ongoing research, Wright tested areas beyond Medlow Bath, including Greaves Creek and the nearby national park. Even at significant distances from the initial contamination site, water samples continued to show levels 100 times above the safe limits.
Residents in Medlow Bath are advised to stay informed as the EPA gathers data and prepares for a broader investigation slated for 2026. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated: the health and safety of the community are at stake, and immediate action is required to address the PFAS crisis.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
