On May 16, NSW EPA was advised by Shoalhaven City Council that up to 100,000 litres of PFAS contaminated waste water had been discharged into the Shoalhaven sewer system during March and ultimately ended up in the Shoalhaven River.
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The PFAS Taskforce has advised that no new or additional precautionary dietary advice is required as a result of this incident.
The waste water was allegedly discharged to the sewer system from the operations of Sikorsky Aircraft Australia, who provide maintenance services to HMAS Albatross.
The sewer system flows to the Nowra sewage treatment plant which discharges into the Shoalhaven River at Boolong Road, approximately 2km east of the Princes Highway.
Shoalhaven City Council is leading an investigation and reported the matter to the NSW EPA after becoming aware of the incident on Thursday, May 16.
The PFAS Taskforce has advised that the precautionary dietary advice for the Shoalhaven River issued in October 2018 is still appropriate.
No change to current advice for commercial and recreational fishers means commercial fishers can continue to sell fish they catch in the Shoalhaven River and this fishery remains open.
Recreational fishers who regularly catch and eat their own fish in the Shoalhaven River can continue to do so safely.
They should follow the dietary advice for consumption of luderick, sea mullet, sand whiting, dusky flathead, silver biddy and mulloway from the identified area, to limit their personal intake.
Oysters are not impacted and are safe to eat.