Investigations and findings
In December 2021, Defence completed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Singleton Military Area. Defence is committed to working with the NSW Government to manage and monitor PFAS contamination in the area.
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.
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.
This assessment found the PFAS contamination from Singleton Military Area presented a low exposure risk to human health and to local plant and animal life. More details can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet provided in the Recent reports and factsheet section.
Additional investigations
Defence is conducting a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from source areas and how much PFAS are leaving the base. This study will help determine the best management actions to reduce the amount of PFAS leaving Singleton Military Area. The assessment is underway and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Remediation and management
Defence aims to minimise PFAS leaving the base by focusing on the 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 actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.
As recommended in the management plan for Singleton Military Area, Defence closed down the former containment fire station. This work involved the demolition of the buildings and concrete. Defence removed and treated PFAS-impacted waste at an off-site facility.
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around Singleton Military Area through sampling of surface water, groundwater, sewage and sediment biannually. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.
Results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.
Monitoring results to date have found no significant changes to how PFAS are moving in the management area.
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.
- 2022-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet (PDF, 821.67 KB)
- 2022-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 18.88 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan and Ongoing Monitoring Plan Factsheet (PDF 987 KB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Report (PDF, 40.4MB)
- Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 864 KB)
Document archive
The Singleton Military Area document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.
Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.
Singleton Military Area document archive (PDF, 474.83 KB)
Last review: 28 January 2025