RAAF Base Edinburgh

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Groundwater Prohibition Area

The South Australia Environment Protection Authority has established a Groundwater Prohibition Area to identify groundwaters (aquifers) between RAAF Base Edinburgh and the Barker Inlet. 

The aim of the Groundwater Prohibition Area is to protect current and future residents from accessing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated groundwater via a bore on their property.

Investigations and findings

In August 2019, Defence completed investigations into PFAS contamination on and around RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously disposed of, used or stored. These are called source areas. PFAS in these locations can be found in soil and in water flowing through the source areas. PFAS moves in surface water flowing through drains and creeks, or groundwater that flows underground through soil and rock.

Defence’s investigation was audited by an accredited South Australian Environment Protection Authority auditor to ensure it met South Australian legislation and guidelines.

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area and to local plant and animal life.

Based on the findings from the risk assessments, the South Australian Environment Protection Authority established the Groundwater Prohibition Area to protect current and future groundwater users from exposure to PFAS. More details can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet provided in the Recent reports and factsheet section.

Remediation and management

The aim of remediation is to minimise PFAS leaving the base, by focusing on the remediation and management of the source areas. Over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area. Defence has a PFAS Management Area Plan setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.

At RAAF Base Edinburgh, Defence is focused on the management of PFAS in soil, groundwater and in infrastructure such as concrete.

New remediation technologies have also been trialled at the base for future use at RAAF Base Edinburgh and other bases around Australia.

Soil remediation

Remediation works to excavate approximately 34,000 tonnes of soil from 6 source areas at the base are complete. Most of the PFAS impacted soil was remediated using a process called stabilisation. 

The process treated the PFAS impacted soils with activated carbon. This makes the PFAS stick to the product within the soil to stop it dissolving in water and moving when it rains. The treated soil was then placed back into lined excavations and covered with a clean layer of topsoil to prevent erosion. Soils with the highest concentrations of PFAS were sent interstate for treatment at a licenced thermal destruction facility.

The use of activated carbon at the base was supported by research from the University of Adelaide. Activated carbon has now been used at other bases across Australia.

Remediation works in an evaporation pond historically used for wastewater contaminated with fire-fighting foams and 2 associated holding tanks (concrete sumps) are currently underway. These works are due for completion in 2025. 

Defence also supported the trial of a soil-washing plant at the base. The plant successfully removed approximately 90% of PFAS mass from clay soil and 98% of PFAS mass from sandy soil. The PFAS was removed off-site for management or destruction at a licensed facility. This trial has now concluded, and the soil treatment plant is no longer active. The plant washed about 2,500 tonnes of soil taken from the fire training area at RAAF Base Edinburgh and 1,500 tonnes of soil taken from RAAF Base Williamtown.

Groundwater remediation

Defence uses a water treatment plant to remove PFAS from the groundwater beneath 4 source areas. By treating these areas, Defence reduces the amount of PFAS that moves off-base through groundwater. The plant has been running since 2019, and has treated over 253 million litres of water. 

Defence will continue to monitor all source areas  to ensure PFAS management and remediation actions remain effective.

Ongoing monitoring

Regular monitoring of PFAS continues through sampling of surface water and groundwater. Monitoring results to date have found no significant changes to how PFAS are moving in the management area. 

Remedial works are expected to reduce PFAS from leaving the base, and over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area.

The results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.

Recent reports and factsheets

Detailed reports from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. Appendices to these reports can be found in the document archive. To discuss these reports, contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.

Water Treatment Plant reports

Reports from the management of the Water Treatment Plant.

Water Treatment Plant Sampling Results RAAF Base Edinburgh Fire Training Area (PDF, 13.86 MB)

Document archive

The RAAF Base Edinburgh document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.

Some archived information has been superseded by recent reports and factsheets.

Documents Archive - Edinburgh (PDF, 235.55 KB)

Last review: 6 February 2025