“Once a contaminant enters the water table, you can’t fix it”.
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That is the very grave concern facing Wagga residents, according to water quality expert Paul Funnell.
It comes after a parliamentary inquiry this week revealed the toxic chemicals leaking from RAAF Base Wagga may not be contained.
The federal investigation into poly- and per-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination was launched to review the government’s handling the environmental pollution across several decades.
A Fairfax Media report revealed close to 100 sites, including the Air Force base at Forest Hill, had been affected by the chemicals, found in a number of fire-retardant products, including legacy foam firefighters had used until 2006.
A Department of Defence report released in June, revealed the substances had migrated through the storm water drains at Forest Hill, seeping into the surface and ground water at the Gumly Gumly wetlands.
With no known means of stemming its movement, Cr Funnell – Riverina Water deputy-chair, councillor, irrigator and Murray Darling Association Committee member – said members of the community should be “gravely concerned”.
“What are the ramifications going to be?” Cr Funnell said.
“We know it causes cancer.
“At what point will it break down along the water table?”
Testing last month revealed “very high” levels of PFAS in the surface and ground water, used for aquaculture and agriculture, at Gumly’s Murray Cod Hatchery.
The resulting losses have reportedly crippled the business, according to its owner.
“To consider anyone collateral damage is unacceptable,” Cr Funnell said.
“Affecting one person is one person too many.”
Defence on Tuesday could not confirm whether it had the power to stem the flow of the substances from its Williamtown base in Newcastle.
Follow-up questions about its Wagga site at Forest Hill were not answered before deadline on Thursday.
The Coalition Against PFAS president Lindsay Clout told Tuesday’s inquiry, the communities wanted the contamination cleaned up and compensation packages to meet their needs.
