Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is urging ongoing financial support for councils due to increasing concerns about the presence of PFAS chemicals in water supplies.
In its submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into PFAS contamination in waterways and drinking water supplies, LGNSW warned that local councils cannot shoulder the financial burden of addressing and managing PFAS risks alone and will require continued funding and support from State and Federal governments.
New South Wales (NSW) councils are responsible for providing water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million people in NSW outside the areas serviced by the Sydney and Hunter Water Corporations. These services are provided by 89 council-owned Local Water Utilities, or “LWUs”.
Appearing before the Parliamentary inquiry, the Mayor of Wagga Wagga and LGNSW Board Director, Cr Dallas Tout, highlighted that LWUs play a critical role in delivering safe and reliable drinking water to communities in rural and regional areas.
“With guidance and funding support from NSW Health, all local water utilities have undertaken initial PFAS screenings on their water supply systems as a precautionary measure,” Cr Tout said.
However, Cr Tout warned that more stringent standards concerning PFAS levels will inevitably result in an escalation in costs for LWUs, already operating within constrained budgets and capacity.
“The NSW Government needs to provide financial assistance to LWUs to meet stricter PFAS standards, to upgrade drinking water treatment systems and to undertake PFAS cleanup measures,” he said.
LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM said government support had been welcome so far, but significant infrastructure upgrades and investment to address PFAS contamination would be needed.
“Councils support evidence-based standards for safe drinking water. However, any changes to standards will require substantial capital investment that councils cannot fund,” Cr Miller said.
“PFAS contamination is not a problem of councils’ making and is beyond the financial capacity of councils to address. We look forward to State and Commonwealth governments working in partnership with councils to protect the water supplies our communities rely on,” she said.
“This is not a luxury item or a nice-to-have. This is essential to our community’s health and wellbeing, and we look forward to seeing what the Parliamentary Committee hands down.”
The inquiry is due to report back to Parliament by 20 June 2025.
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