7 days ago
Bullsbrook residents' row with Defence Department continues over PFAS 'forever' chemicals
The Department of Defence is refusing to replace residential pipes and water systems in a Perth town it contaminated with "forever chemicals".
Bullsbrook, north of Perth, is home to one of several sites across the country which were contaminated with chemicals from firefighting foam used at military bases.
PFAS — or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — is an umbrella term for a group of chemicals that do not break down, and can accumulate in soil, water, and human bodies.
The federal government settled a class action in 2023 over PFAS contamination at seven sites, including Bullsbrook, and paid $132.7 million to about 30,000 claimants.
Defence has been working to connect more than 200 properties in Bullsbrook to scheme water by March 2026, including installing devices to prevent water from properties flowing back into the mains system.
The project is part of the "management and remediation" of PFAS contamination around the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pearce air base.
However, progress has reached a standstill for some residents who believe the internal pipework and hot water systems in their properties also need to be replaced, which the ABC understands the department has refused to do.
In letters sent to residents in 2022, seen by the ABC, the Department of Defence outlined the funding arrangement for scheme water connections in West Bullsbrook.
"Defence will fund any infrastructure required to connect the property to the mains pipeline, as well as any necessary plumbing works on your property and dwelling," the letter said.
Bullsbrook resident Reannan Haswell said the "necessary plumbing works" should include pipes and water systems inside homes.
"I still can't believe we're having this conversation ... you've got a contaminated source, it sent water through pipes, it's contaminated your whole household," Ms Haswell said.
The department has agreed to fund the scheme water connection and the installation of back-flow prevention devices.
Ms Haswell was the lead applicant in the class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth.
Last month, she raised concerns with Defence that residents would ultimately still be using potentially contaminated water if internal piping was not replaced.
In an email response to Ms Haswell, the department said it had no record of any commitment to replace pipework or hot water systems in homes.
"At the time of water connection, Defence will provide instructions for the flushing of internal pipes in the residences where PFAS-impacted groundwater was previously used," the email read.
"Defence will offer to collect water samples from your taps for analysis to ensure the water meets the Australian standards for safe drinking with respect to PFAS concentrations."
Ms Haswell said she wasn't convinced they could flush the pipes clean of PFAS.
"You can't flush it ... hence why the original plan of a portable filtration device on everyone's premise back in 2016 was not an option," she said.
The Department of Defence had not responded to the ABC's enquiries by the time of publication.
Ms Haswell said she felt compelled to speak out for impacted residents and taxpayers.
"I thought a class action would have had that nailed on the head ... it's still not fixed, it's still not resolved," she said.
"They're just woefully wasting money to give people scheme water that's not safe."
