Adelaide

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Adelaide Airport since the 1950s. Airservices has provided these services at the airport since 1995.

PFAS and fire fighting foam

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water. They have been widely used since the 1950s in common household products, as well as commercial industrial applications such as fire fighting foams.

When Airservices became aware of the potential environmental impacts of PFAS in the early 2000s, we transitioned away from their use. We have used PFAS-free foam at Adelaide Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we are undertaking site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS at Adelaide Airport. Site investigations have included sampling of soil, groundwater and surface water, using adopted criteria for ecological and human health to assess the levels of PFAS.

We completed preliminary sampling and a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) in 2018, and in 2019 we completed a subsequent off-airport investigation.

The PSI found the presence of PFAS on airport near where aviation rescue and fire fighting activities were carried out. PFAS concentrations were above the adopted human health and ecological criteria in groundwater and surface water samples, and in soils at the fire station and former water tank training area. Results were generally low in areas away from sites where training took place.

The off-airport investigation sampled five groundwater monitoring wells located off-airport. Two samples recorded PFAS concentrations just above the adopted human health criteria for drinking water but below the value for recreational water use.

We are currently undertaking a Detailed Site investigation (DSI), and this is expected to be completed in 2024.

Site management and remediation

We manage legacy PFAS through our National PFAS Management Program to ensure the safety of our people and the communities and environment in which we operate.

The information obtained from the DSI will inform next steps in the management or remediation of our sites at Adelaide Airport.

We collaborate with relevant Australian and State Government environmental and health regulators and Adelaide Airport as part of an evidence-led approach to the responsible management of PFAS.

Research and development

We collaborate with leading industry and research institutions to better understand PFAS and support the development of solutions and technologies to manage PFAS. Adelaide Airport has been the field site location for a groundwater remediation trial. Read more about this trial here.