Bendemeer, Moonbi and Kootingal uranium contamination extent revealed

Tamworth Regional Council said it tests for  metals, including uranium, in drinking water every six months, which has left a question mark over the length of exposure for residents.

Hunter New England Health (HNEH) said the last batch of testing showed the uranium level in the Moonbi/Kootingal bores have exceeded the Australia Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) since 2014.

However, it is “not known” exactly how long the uranium levels have been elevated.

“Historical radiation levels in the water dating back to 2009 do not exceed ADWG,” a HNEH statement said.

“The bores in use for this supply were commissioned from as early as the 1960s.”

Uranium levels for the Bendemeer bore have exceeded the ADWG since tests were taken in 2015 – however the bore was only commissioned in January 2015.

In July, one Kootingal bore tested positive for 32 micrograms of uranium per litre. The ADWG recommend anything above 17 micrograms be investigated.

The water supply for Kootingal and Moonbi was switched to the Tamworth supply at the end of August, and residents were informed.

Bendemeer’s water was also switched over at the same time, but it is unknown if council notified residents.

HNEH is now working NSW Health to convene an expert panel to provide more specific health advice for long-term residents of Moonbi-Kootingal and Bendemeer who may have been historically exposed to elevated levels of uranium in drinking water.

Levels above the ADWG values do not necessarily represent a risk to health as large safety margins are present, according to HNEH.

More to come.