River with 1800 times safe level of PFAS needs urgent testing
Greens MP and water and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the Government must urgently carry out testing of the Belubula River, make the results public and act to clean up the source, after extensive PFAS contamination has been discovered in the Belubula River near the Cadia Gold Mine.
The discovery was made by local farmers near Orange concerned about large banks of foam in local waterways. Samples taken showed the foam contained PFAS levels at more than 1800 times the safe limit for a drinking source. Although the NSW Environment Protection Agency has attended the site, they have failed to disclose any results of testing to landholders.
The Belubula is a major waterway flowing directly into the Lachlan River system - the fourth largest river in Australia and a significant source of urban and stock water supply and irrigation.
The contamination, which also includes significant levels of heavy metals and diesel, borders Newmont’s Cadia gold mine.
“This is an environmental disaster so why is the government silent on it?
”There are no safe levels of exposure to PFAS. The World Health Organisation has tied the forever chemicals to cancer, interference with hormones and the immune system, and developmental effects in children,” Cate Faehrmann said.
“These farmers just want to know that nothing is contaminating their products and that the river is safe for their operations. It is the Government’s responsibility to keep our waterways safe. It should not be up to local farmers to carry out testing and raise the alarm.
“This is just another in a long line of issues that appear to stem from the Cadia gold mine. From extensive dust pollution to groundwater contamination, Cadia is an environmental disaster.
“These chemicals are pervasive. They are called forever chemicals because they are nearly indestructible. They persist in the environment for thousands of years and accumulate in living things. From river systems, they make their way into wildlife and humans living around them.
“This discovery shows that we need stronger action from the Government and the Environment Protection Agency to properly regulate the mining industry,” said Cate Faehrmann.