Water testing in the Katherine region

Testing for chemicals linked with firefighting foams in ground and surface water took place near RAAF Base Tindal in November 2016.

The testing was conducted to find out where the chemicals are in the aquifer.

The chemicals, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were previously used in firefighting foams around Australia.

To find out more go to the Fire Fighting Foam (PFAS) Investigation page on the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority website.

Where samples were taken

Six monitoring bores and three surface water sites on Crown land near RAAF Base Tindal were tested.

What the tests found

The results found PFAS along the flow of the aquifer in a west to north-west direction between RAAF Base Tindal and the Katherine River.

PFAS were not detected upstream from the source or on the northern side of the Katherine River.

The results have been given to the Department of Defence to help with its investigation into PFAS in ground and surface water.

For results from each sampling site see the interactive map below.

Contact

For more information call the NT EPA Pollution Hotline on 1800 064 567.