Home
Project
Assessment and management of PFAS risks to human health and ecosystems

Assessment and management of PFAS risks to human health and ecosystems

Talk to our experts

CLIENT

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

SECTOR

Government

SOLUTIONS

Contaminated land, remediation and auditing

GET IN TOUCH

Have a complex site or closure challenge?

Talk to Christopher today

Christopher Sandiford

National Contaminated Land Group Lead, Senior Principal

Overview

Senversa was engaged by the Department to assess the presence and potential exposure risks of PFAS contamination at Norfolk Island Airport and surrounding catchments. PFAS investigations began after a CSIRO-led assessment in December 2019 identified elevated PFAS levels in the environment. Senversa initially undertook a rapid PFAS specific Preliminary Site Investigation. This included mobilisation of field engineers and risk communication specialists to the island within 1.5 weeks of appointment to enable prompt assessment of the scarce drinking water supplies on island. The assessment confirmed PFAS presence from historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and recommended immediate management measures where required.

Scope

Following the PSI, the scope of works undertaken to date has consisted of the following:

Detailed Site Investigation including grid based and targeted assessment of soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and the marine waters. Focus on a key water catchment including assessment of all landholder water supplies.
Preparation of a human health and ecological risk assessment.
Review and assistance in the preparation of five fact sheets and numerous press releases for stakeholder engagement.
Engagement with the community through community radio broadcasts.
Risk Communication including preparation of Microsite to enable meaningful remote engagement with Norfolk Island community during COVID.
Stakeholder engagement, advisory and liaison including on-island briefings.
Preparation and implementation of an ongoing monitoring plan to track PFAS concentration trends, evaluate the effectiveness of current management actions, and identify any changes in risk profiles.

Outcome

Senversa was able to work closely with the Department to undertake, report and communicate a PSI, DSI, risk assessment and prepare a PFAS management plan in significantly less time than comparable Defence projects.

We believe this was largely a result of the strong trusting relationships we built while on island, together with clear concise risk communication in five different formats (in-person forums, householder visits, fact sheets, development of a microsite and one on one zoom meetings with expert team (during COVID).

The Norfolk Island PFAS Investigation outcomes include:

Senversa’s ability to mobilise quickly to remote area to ensure critical infrastructure was secured (i.e., island drinking water supply).
Senversa worked closely with three federal government departments to ensure a successful environmental outcome in an unusual jurisdiction.
The project required assessment of hospital water supply and quickly identified a secondary source within a water filter.
Development of the management plan was designed to take advantage of future facility upgrades to save time and cost.
Senversa worked closely with CSIRO to identify suitable water supply options.
Senversa provided prompt advice around upgrade of sewerage infrastructure.
Close relationships were developed with airport-based firefighters which resulted in a detailed understanding of fire-fighting infrastructure.