Melbourne

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Melbourne Airport since the 1970s. Airservices has provided these services for 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 Melbourne Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we are undertaking site characterisation activities to determine the nature and extent of PFAS at Melbourne 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 a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) at Melbourne Airport in 2018. PFAS was detected on the airport at and near locations where aviation rescue and fire fighting activities took place. There were PFAS detections in soil and sediment above the adopted ecological criteria. All soil and sediment samples were below the adopted human health criteria. PFAS levels exceeding the adopted human health and ecological criteria were found in stormwater and groundwater at the current fire training ground and Arundel Creek.

We subsequently completed targeted investigations on-airport to better characterise PFAS, incorporating detailed analysis and sampling undertaken by other agencies, including the airport operator. These investigations included downstream water and sediment sampling to determine any potential PFAS migration from our sites and inform the development of appropriate management strategies.

We are currently undertaking a Detailed Site investigation (DSI), and this is expected to be completed in 2023.

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.

At Melbourne Airport, our actions have included:

• Cleaning the underground stormwater pipes located at our facilities
• Jointly completing works with the airport operator to upgrade the wastewater drain headwalls at the Smoke Hut fire fighting training facility and the main fire station
• Installing a capture-and-contain-system to control the discharge of wastewater from the Smoke Hut training facility. We are also planning the installation of a wastewater treatment plant at this facility to remove PFAS from wastewater.
• Sampling of stockpiled soil and sediment in preparation for removal and safe disposal.

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

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