But the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) believes the the risk to surrounding residents “appears low” but would be “reviewed when further sampling is completed.”

A community meeting in Nowra on Wednesday night, attended by around 30 residents, landowners, businesses and local stakeholders, heard contractors Aurecon’s report that of 22 water samples taken off-base in the initial testing, 17 had had PFAS detected.

PFAS are a group of chemicals that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), which were commonly used in firefighting foams.

As they have heat, water and stain repelling properties, PFAS have also been widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products both in Australia and internationally, including in fire retardants, water proofing, food preparation, food packaging, furnishings, clothing and recreational equipment.

Of the 22 tests taken in off-base dams and waterways, there were three non detects where readings were below the laboratory limit of reporting, 17 detections that were less than recreational screening criteria, while two in drainage lines above screening criteria.

Concerns have been raised at a number of military bases across the country into possible contamination from such chemicals stemming from the historical use in fire fighting foams.

It has been revealed both Williamtown at Newcastle and the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey in Queensland suffered significant contamination.

A detailed site investigation will now be undertaken at Albatross and surrounding areas.

The testing will include soil samples on and off the base, surface water and sediment testing, on-base within drainage channels, surface water and testing off-base within drainage channels and waterways and the installation of additional groundwater monitoring bores on and off the base.

An additional 15 groundwater monitoring bores will be installed on the base and a further 11 off-base, as well as five on the base boundary.

More than 270 soil samples will be taken from various locations across the base, with a further 41 planned off-base at varying areas and depths.

Sediment samples will also be taken at numerous locations both on and off-base.

A human health and ecological risk assessment will also be undertaken parallel with the investigations.

NSW EPA regional director South and West, Gary Whytcross, said the detection of PFAS at the base was not unexpected.

“The widespread use over many decades of PFAS-containing products, including fire-fighting foams, means these chemicals are commonly found at low levels in the environment,” Mr Whytcross said.

“We know these foams were used at HMAS Albatross in the past, and their detection in the local environment does not necessarily pose a risk to human health.

“This is determined by the presence of pathways through which people can be exposed to the chemicals, such as drinking water and produce.

“Based on the NSW Government’s assessment of the situation at Albatross, the risk to surrounding residents appears low but this will be reviewed when further sampling is completed.”

HMAS Albatross Commanding Officer Captain Simon Bateman said the initial report was thorough.

“I think the residents present were given a comprehensive report,” he said.

“It was very thorough. I think those present were satisfied with the information provided.

“I think they were happy with the question and answer session at the end of the meeting regarding the scientific aspects.

“There are still a lot of questions as to what is happening below the ground and hopefully the detailed site investigation will be able to demonstrate that.”

Captain Bateman said he hopes to hold another community information session, depending on the progress of the detailed site investigations, before the end of year.

Copies of the initial investigation report are available at www.defence.gov.au/id/aslbatross or two copies are available at the Nowra Library.

Based on a review of previous Albatross environmental assessments and site history, four key areas were identified as the primary potential source of PFAS - the sewerage treatment plant (STP), STP irrigation areas, former firefighting training areas and hangers and flight lines.

Primary migration pathways of PFAS are surface and groundwater.

At Albatross there are two river/drainage catchments which may act as a pathway - the Shoalhaven River Basin to the north east which includes Calymea Creek and Flatrock Creek and the Clyde River Basin to the south east which includes Currambene Creek and Yerriyong Gully.

The area also contains three groundwater bodies, which includes perched or shallow groundwater that could intersect with surface water or springs.

The meeting was told the main potential exposure pathway for people in general was through consuming water, however a water survey in the area, completed by 25 local residents, revealed water for human consumption and domestic use came from town water supply or rainwater tanks.

The survey also showed there were no groundwater bores on properties, however stock water was sourced from dams and creeks, and there was limited irrigation from dams for pasture, fruit and vegetables.