Callide PFAS monitoring
At a glance
Since 2019 CS Energy has been monitoring and managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) around the Callide Power Station. Our priority throughout this program of work is the health of our employees and community.
Our work has included:
- Regular sampling of groundwater and surface water on and around the power station site. We completed the sixth round of landholder sampling between January and February 2026. A 17th round of our quarterly technical program was completed in February 2026. The results indicate a reduction in PFAS concentrations overall, with any the majority of increases still within historical levels.
- Providing support to landholders who have PFAS levels in their groundwater that is above current government guidelines.
- Taking action to minimise PFAS seepage off the power station site and remediating source areas on site.
- Installing monitoring equipment at site boundaries.
- Working with the Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) to undertake technical assessments and report our progress.
CS Energy historically used firefighting foams containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) PFAS infrequently and in small quantities. The AFFF foam was used for training, testing and emergency response.
We stopped using these foams in 2019 as part of a Queensland Government phase-out policy.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment. They have been widely used since the 1950s because of their water, heat, grease, and stain-resistant properties. Common uses include non-stick cookware, stain protection for fabric and carpet, packaged food containers and makeup and personal care products.
PFAS are being phased out because they don’t break down easily, can build up in the environment and in our bodies, and may pose health risks. Because of this, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Queensland Health recommend a precautionary approach to PFAS, encouraging people to reduce exposure wherever possible.
Working with DETSI
CS Energy’s PFAS remediation and management actions are being undertaken under an Environmental Environment Order (EEO) issued by DETSI in March 2025.
The EEO requires CS Energy to develop a Remediation Action Plan and PFAS Monitoring Plan. Both of these documents are with DETSI for review.
Completed work
The EEO follows on from work already completed under an Environmental Evaluation notice.
In March 2024 we submitted a final Environmental Evaluation response, which was accepted by DETSI in July 2024. The submission included information on:
- Results from more than 2,000 water, soil and sediment samples
- Hydrogeological studies
- Aquatic biota sampling in the local dam and creek
- Soil and concrete remediation undertaken at PFAS source areas on site.
Post Environmental Evaluation submission we also completed:
- A Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) report, published in October 2024
- Installed equipment to monitor the flow of water entering from the north of the Callide Power Station
- Trialled a water treatment plant onsite at Callide Power Station
- Installed an additional six seepage recovery bores.
sampling results & Recent activities
LANDHOLDER & TECHNICAL SAMPLING
Landholder sampling
We completed annual sampling of landholder properties between January and February 2026.
This was the sixth round of sampling offered to all landholders.
Technical monitoring program
A 17th round of our quarterly technical program was completed in February 2026.
Overall, results indicate PFAS levels at the majority of locations are reducing overall. There are some areas that show an increasing trend during recent monitoring rounds, however current results do not exceed any historical levels.
The technical sampling program includes locations on site at the power station, in Callide Creek, and downstream of the site, including on some landholders’ properties.
To achieve what’s needed from a scientific point of view, we don’t need to include every landholder property in this program.
This sampling program helps us understand if PFAS is moving or changing throughout the entire investigation area.
Map showing inferred movement of PFAS (PDF 8.3MB)
HYDROGEOLOGICAL REVIEW (JUNE 2022)
A hydrogeology review found the primary way that PFAS is leaving the power station site is in groundwater seepage at the southern end of Ash Dam B (at an estimated 0.01kg a year).
The review also found that PFAS in surface water near Callide Power Station was also linked to a site north of CS Energy’s Callide Power Station – Callide Mine, owned by Batchfire Resources.
CS Energy has taken action to minimise further PFAS coming into the system via soil remediation at source areas, managing water on site differently and installing seepage recovery bores.
Since 1988, when Callide B was commissioned, groundwater has moved up to 17km west of the power station site. Water molecules move faster than PFAS, so at this stage, it is estimated that PFAS from the Callide site would not have moved any further than 17km downstream.
PFAS has also been diluted and dispersed as it has moved downstream.
A report has been produced that summarises the finding of this work: A report has been produced that summarises the finding of this work: Callide Power Station - PFAS Investigation - Hydrogeological Review (PDF 5.4MB)
AQUATIC BIOTA SAMPLING (AUGUST 2023)
As part of completing the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, sampling on aquatic biota was undertaken in January and February 2023.
The findings were that the fish and crustaceans that people would most commonly eat (e.g. barramundi and red claw crayfish) within Callide Dam did not have PFAS detected in the samples. Queensland Health advised there is no need to avoid eating fish from the Callide Dam.
PFAS was found in the samples from Callide Creek, downstream of the Callide Dam. Queensland Health advises that with the levels of PFAS found in the Callide Creek, an infrequent meal (every few months) of fish from the creek would not make a significant contribution to an individual’s overall exposure to PFAS.
The aquatic biota sampling formed part of the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA). It’s important to consider this sampling in the context of the HHERA. A HHERA looks at the combined risks of exposure pathways (e.g. drinking water, bathing, eating food). It takes a holistic approach to understanding what the combined risk is.
HUMAN HEALTH AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT (OCTOBER 2024)
We engaged Environmental Risk Sciences (enRiskS), an independent toxicology risk assessment consultancy, to do a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA).
The HHERA was prepared prior to the National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) proposed revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and refers to the guidelines that were current at the time: PFOS and PFHxS combined value of 0.07 µg/L.
PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA are the different chemicals that are collectively known as PFAS. CS Energy will continue to comply with government guidelines as they evolve.
- On the basis of available data, and the current national health guidelines, the risks from PFAS concentrations in groundwater or surface water are considered low for all investigation areas, noting that a slightly elevated risk was reported for certain areas in Zone 1 of our investigation area (closest to the power station) where multiple exposure pathways are combined.
- Zone 1 has the highest concentration of PFAS. In this area if some, or all, exposure pathways for home grown produce are combined (i.e. eggs + fruit and vegetables + meat) with groundwater as the sole source of drinking water (at the maximum concentration reported), the risk to some locations would be slightly elevated when compared to current national guidelines. Based on data available it is understood no individual household is exposed to these combined pathways.
- No effect on aquatic, bird or mammal species is expected.
- While the site is likely to contribute to the levels of PFAS in Callide Creek, the site investigation shows that Callide Power Station is not the sole source of these chemicals to these this waterway.
You can download a copy of the report here. (PDF 25MB) (PDF 25MB)
You can download a fact sheet summarising the report here (PDF 13.7MB) (PDF 13.7MB)
Quick links
Newsletters
Maps
Fact sheets
Reports
| October 2024 |
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| August 2023 |
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| April 2022 |
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Finding support
Everyone manages uncertainty and stress differently. A number of support services are available to you, including your GP. The Australian Government funds a range of services for people affected by PFAs, including Better Access and Head to Health. Find out more at Mental health and suicide prevention | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
CS Energy is also offering landholders in the sampling zones near the Callide Power Station access to our Employee Assistance Program providers, TELUS Health
If you feel you need support, you’re invited to call TELUS Health on 📞 1800 604 640 (24 hours).
Assure will provide affected landholders with free, confidential support, with no GP referral required.
Frequently asked questions
About PFAS
CS Energy stopped using these foams when they became non-compliant in 2019, as part of a Queensland Government policy to phase out their use. All of our fire systems are now either water based (Callide C Station was always water based) or use a foaming agent that has been tested to confirm there is no PFAS.
PFAS are a group of manufactured synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment. They have been widely used since the 1950s because of their water, heat, grease, and stain-resistant properties. Common uses include non-stick cookware, stain protection for fabric and carpet, packaged food containers and makeup and personal care products.
PFAS are being phased out because they don’t break down easily, can build up in the environment and in our bodies, and may pose health risks. Because of this, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Queensland Health recommend a precautionary approach to PFAS, encouraging people to reduce exposure wherever possible.
You can find more information about PFAS online at:
Just like many businesses and industries in Australia, CS Energy has used PFAS in the past. Our use of PFAS fire-fighting foams over the years was infrequent, and in small quantities for training, testing and emergency response, unlike the more substantial use at other sites in Australia, such as defence bases.
The main identified source of PFAS onsite at Callide Power Station is at the fuel oil tanks and the fire training ground areas. It’s estimated CS Energy has used less than 1,000L of AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) concentrate historically at Callide Power Station.
CS Energy stopped using these foams when they became non-compliant in 2019, as part of a Queensland Government policy to phase out their use.
CS Energy's testing program
During the testing program, CS Energy will periodically publish maps on our website showing indicative PFAS levels for the sampling areas. These maps will not include individual property boundaries.
To ensure our monitoring program and response meets Government requirements and community expectations, landowner information may be shared with relevant government agencies and other affected entities. Those organisations include, but are not limited to: Queensland Health, DETSI, and the Department of Primary Industries.
CS Energy has provided landowners with a Privacy Statement that provides further detail on how their information will be collected, used and shared by CS Energy.
The testing protocol is stringent. Each sample collected on landowner properties is by someone appropriately trained in PFAS sampling.
The samples are then subject to strict quality assurance processes during transport, storage and handling.
This includes temperature control and minimising exposure to light. Samples are analysed at an independent laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, which analyses samples in accordance with approved laboratory methods. The results are then assessed against drinking water and recreational water guidelines
As of March 2026 we have completed 17 rounds of the technical monitoring program, which looks at the entire investigation area.
PFAS concentrations have been trending down and are expected to continue to reduce due to remediation works already completed at the site, and additional remediation and management works proposed to be implemented as detailed in the Remediation Action Plan.
Queensland Health advises it’s normal to see up to 20 to 30 per cent variability in data. This is because of different factors like laboratory techniques or even seasonal variation. For example, during the wet season, when the aquifer is being recharged more frequently, PFAS may be diluted and you may see some results decrease. The seasonal increases we are seeing are still within historical levels.
Drinking water guidelines
To minimise exposure, Queensland Health recommends that water containing PFAS above drinking water guideline levels should not be used for the following:
- Drinking water
- Cooking
- Personal hygiene (showering, brushing teeth)
- People are also advised to not consume home-produce like meat, veggies or eggs that has been produced using water that exceeds the drinking water guidelines.
The Queensland Health advice only applies to water that is not compliant with the drinking water guideline. Activities such as swimming and sprinkler play are acceptable if PFAS levels are above the drinking water guideline, but below the recreational water guideline. Queensland Health recommends that people reduce their exposure to PFAS where possible.
The guidelines are set in accordance with the Australian drinking water guidelines, which provide an authoritative reference on what defines safe, good quality drinking water. Where health guideline values exist, they tend to be conservative in nature, ensuring that public health is protected.
The guidelines are:
- 0.008 µg/L for PFOS
- 0.2 µg/L for PFOA
- 0.03 µg/L for PFHxS
- 1.0 µg/L for PFBS.
A µg is a microgram per litre, which is a unit of mass equal to one millionth of a gram.
The NHMRC amended these guidelines in June 2025.
A key change was reducing the recommended health-based guideline value for the sum of PFOS and PFHxS from 0.07 micrograms (μg) per litre to separate values: 0.008 μg per litre for PFOS and 0.03 μg per litre for PFHxS.
Health-based guideline values were also introduced for PFOA and PFBS. No health-based value for GenX is current at this time.
Table 1. Comparison of previous guidelines and current guidelines
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PFAS
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Previous guideline |
Current guidelines |
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PFOA
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Based on human health considerations, the concentration of PFOA in drinking water should not exceed 0.56 µg/L.
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Based on human health considerations, the concentration of PFOA in drinking water should not exceed 0.2 µg/L.
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PFOS
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Based on human health considerations, the sum of the concentrations of PFOS and PFHxS in drinking water should not exceed0.07 µg/L.
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Based on human health considerations, the concentration of PFOS in drinking water should not exceed 0.008 µg/L.
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PFHxS
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Based on human health considerations, the concentration of PFHxS in drinking water should not exceed 0.03 µg/L.
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PFBS
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No health-based guideline value in the current Guidelines.
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Based on human health considerations, the concentration of PFBS in drinking water should not exceed 1 µg/L.
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GenX chemicals
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No health-based guideline value in the current Guidelines.
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No health-based guideline value is considered necessary for GenX chemicals at this time.
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For more information visit:
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines | NHMRC
The health of the community and our employees is CS Energy’s key priority and is guiding our actions throughout the PFAS monitoring program. We are providing an alternative safe water supply to landholders who have water over the drinking water guidelines, and where they rely on this water for domestic purposes.
It is important to note that ‘domestic purposes’ does not include providing water for pets, livestock, irrigation, agriculture, or commercial reasons.
The duration of water assistance will depend on the outcomes of further testing and individual household water use and options assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Queensland Health advises you may continue to use the water for domestic uses. DPI advises you can continue to use the water for irrigating crops and for livestock.
If you are concerned and wish to minimise your exposure to PFAS as a precautionary measure, Queensland Health advises that people can choose to avoid using water for the following:
- Drinking the water
- Cooking
- Personal hygiene
- People are also advised to not consume home-produce like meat, veggies or eggs that has been produced using water that exceeds the drinking water guidelines.
The recreational guidelines for water use for activities like swimming and sprinkler play are set by the National Health and Medical Research Council. They are set at a level that is higher than the drinking water guidelines. They are based around the method of exposure being by accidentally swallowing water – not by water having contact with skin.
These are: the total concentration of PFOS plus PFHxS should not exceed 2 μg per litre and 10 μg per litre for PFOA. This is calculated on an estimated accidental ingestion of 30 litres per year.
These guidelines are currently undergoing review and guideline values are likely to be updated in the near future. Find out more at https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/guidelines-managing-risks-recreational-water/pfas-guidance-recreational-water-faqs
Health
We take our advice from the relevant health authorities.
An extract from the latest (Feb 2024) Commonwealth Department of Health’s Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) guidance statement about PFAS says:
“Most Australians are expected to have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood due to the widespread use of this family of chemicals in a range of applications and products. At present, there is insufficient scientific evidence for medical practitioners to be able to tell a person whether their blood level of PFAS will make them sick now or later in life, or to link any current health problems to the PFAS levels found in their blood.”
There is more information about blood tests in the latest enHealth fact sheet (Feb 2024): enHealth guidance – Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) | Australian Centre for Disease Control
If you have health concerns or questions, Queensland Health advises people to talk to their GP or call 13HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.
You can also call the Central Queensland Public Health Unit on 07 4920 6989.
The time it takes for PFAS to be excreted from the body is the same for adults and children. In humans, studies suggest that the half-life of PFAS could range from two to nine years.
The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) says in their guidance statement that research to date does not indicate if PFAS exposure is a major contributor to poor health outcomes in women or babies.
It does recommend to minimise exposure to PFAS.
Download the guidance statement here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/enhealth-guidance-statement-per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
We want to make sure you have accurate information on this as we’re not health experts. If you have health concerns or questions, Queensland Health advises people to talk to their GP or call 13HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.
You can also call the Central Queensland Public Health Unit on 07 4920 6989.
The Commonwealth Department of Health's Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) has published a fact sheet about PFAS and health. This includes information on what health effects PFAS has been associated with. enHealth states that an association does not constitute causation. To date, a causative relationship with PFAS and health has not been established. The sceience and our understanding of these issues will continue to evolve. As a precaution, enHealth recommends to minimise exposure to PFAS where possible.
Download the fact sheet. (PDF 97.6KB)
We want to make sure you have accurate information on this as we’re not health experts. If you have health concerns or questions, Queensland Health advises people to talk to their GP or call 13HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.
You can also call the Central Queensland Public Health Unit on 07 4920 6989.
Livestock
There are currently no restrictions in place in Queensland on the sale or movement of plant or animal products produced in areas affected by PFAS contamination.
The Department of Primary Industries acts in accordance with relevant policy and legislation and will advise producers in affected areas if this situation changes.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) advises that producers take a precautionary approach to using water known to be contaminated with PFAS for irrigating crops or for livestock.
Importantly, the sale of any such irrigated produce (crops or livestock) should be distributed into the market where crops or meat products with potentially elevated PFAS levels are dispersed across a broad range of consumers.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says most research has focused on humans rather animals.
Plants and animals can accumulate PFAS, where they are exposed to PFAS contaminated water, soils or feed over time. Investigations on the effects of soil and water contaminated with PFAS have generally focused on whether the accumulated levels of PFAS in agricultural production animals (livestock) or crops exposed to PFAS may provide a pathway for human exposure, rather than whether these accumulation levels have any impacts on animal and plant health.
It is recommended that producers take the precautionary approach and minimise exposure of livestock and crops to known PFAS-contaminated feed and water. Consult your veterinary professional if you are concerned about the health of your animals. You can stay informed about the latest findings and guidelines on PFAS at https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/environmental/pfas/management-plan
If you are concerned about your pets, you can choose to give them the same alternative water source as yourself.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says most research has focused on humans rather animals. If you are concerned about your pets, you can choose to give them the same alternative water source as yourself.
Studies have shown that PFAS are eliminated from eggs laid 30 days after changing to PFAS-free water. Based on this study, Queensland Health advises people to wait one month after chickens have been changed to a PFAS-free water supply, before consuming eggs from the flock.
Toxicology data suggests that PFAS are not genotoxic and therefore genetic traits will not be affected.
The European Union (EU) has set standards for maximum limits of specific PFAS chemicals in cattle products. On 1 January 2023, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2388 on maximum levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in certain foodstuffs came into force, establishing maximum levels for PFAS in certain foods sold in the European Union.
All cattle that go into that market must be registered as part of a closed scheme called the European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme (EUCAS). The EUCAS system is managed in Australia by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
There are currently no other restrictions in place on the international trade of agricultural products from an area identified with PFAS contamination.
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