Australian Drinking Water Map

Weipa Airport (Queensland) PFAS

Potable Water: 8 samples PFHxS+PFOS 0.047ug/L (max), PFOS 0.027ug/L (max). repeat sampling from 2 locations west of the airport

Rio Tinto

Facebook post : 23 December 2020 · 

“You will be aware that water supply at the Weipa Airport was deemed non-potable three weeks ago and, as a precaution, water supply was turned off for human consumption to allow us to investigate the matter more thoroughly.

Water samples collected from the Weipa Airport are indicating slightly elevated levels of Per and Poly-fluoroalkyl (or commonly known as PFAS). A similar result has been recorded at our East Weipa Mine Centre.

This is a known contaminant in the local area and is routinely measured and tested for as part of our water monitoring program.

Our water monitoring program confirms the issue remains isolated to these two locations and drinking water remains safe and within National Drinking Water Quality Guidelines for the Weipa community.

We are taking a conservative, safety-focused approach and we are working in collaboration with the Department of Environment to continue to investigate the cause of slightly elevated levels at both locations.

Bottled water will continue to be available for passengers at the Weipa Airport. Water supply at both locations, Weipa Airport and East Weipa Mine Centre, is safe to use for all purposes (eg. washing hands, cars, hosing activities) except for drinking.

We thank you for your understanding regarding the use of bottled water while we continue to resolve the matter and we will update you with any changes”.

Weipa Airport (Queensland)  – Lead

10/7/17: Weipa Airport Lead 0.004mg/L (max)

Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”

10/7/17 – Weipa Airport (Queensland) – pH

5.8pH

“Based on the need to reduce corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings, the pH of
drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.

New concrete tanks and cement-mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH and
a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated, provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in
microbiological quality.

pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is alkaline, and less than 7 is acidic.

One of the major objectives in controlling pH is to minimise corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings. Corrosion can be reduced by the formation of a protective layer of calcium carbonate on the inside of the pipe or fitting, and the formation of this layer is affected by pH, temperature, the availability of calcium (hardness) and carbon dioxide. If the water is too alkaline (above pH 8.5), the rapid deposition and build-up of calcium carbonate that can result may eventually block the pipe.” 2011 ADWG

2017/18 – Weipa Airport (Queensland) – PFAS, Lead, pH

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Weipa Airport (Queensland) PFAS Potable Water: 8 samples PFHxS+PFOS 0.047ug/L (max), PFOS 0.027ug/L (max). repeat sampling from 2 locations west of the airport Rio Tinto Facebook post : 23 December 2020 · “You will be aware that water supply at the Weipa Airport was deemed non-potable three weeks ago and, as a precaution, water supply was turned off for human consumption to allow us to investigate the matter more thoroughly. Water samples collected from the Weipa Airport are indicating slightly elevated levels of Per and Poly-fluoroalkyl (or commonly known as PFAS). A similar result has been recorded at our East Weipa Mine Centre. This is a known contaminant in the local area and is routinely measured and tested for as part of our water monitoring program. Our water monitoring program confirms the issue remains isolated to these two locations and drinking water remains safe and within National Drinking Water Quality Guidelines for the Weipa community. We are taking a conservative, safety-focused approach and we are working in collaboration with the Department of Environment to continue to investigate the cause of slightly elevated levels at both locations. Bottled water will continue to be available for passengers at the Weipa Airport. Water supply at both locations, Weipa Airport and East Weipa Mine Centre, is safe to use for all purposes (eg. washing hands, cars, hosing activities) except for drinking. We thank you for your understanding regarding the use of bottled water while we continue to resolve the matter and we will update you with any changes”. Weipa Airport Water Supply Scheme The Airport water supply scheme was commissioned and became operational on 18 April 2017. The water for the airport reticulation is supplied to the Airport Precinct boundary via a water storage facility owned and operated by RT Weipa – Tailings and Water Department. The water storage facility is located on mining lease which is part of RTA Weipa’s site and outside of the Weipa town boundary. The raw water was originally sourced from two shallow aquifer bores SA26 and SA09 licenced to RTA Weipa. Due to PFAS issues encountered in SA26 in late 2020, SA26 has been disconnected from the supply. The primary bore is now SA09. The bore water is fed to an elevated potable tank which supplies the airport precinct, its surrounding businesses and the motocross tracks. Weipa Town Authority Water Quality Management Plan November 2024 Weipa Airport (Queensland)  – Lead 10/7/17: Weipa Airport Lead 0.004mg/L (max) Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.” 10/7/17 – Weipa Airport (Queensland) – pH 5.8pH “Based on the need to reduce corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings, the pH of drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5. New concrete tanks and cement-mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH and a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated, provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in microbiological quality. pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is alkaline, and less than 7 is acidic. One of the major objectives in controlling pH is to minimise corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings. Corrosion can be reduced by the formation of a protective layer of calcium carbonate on the inside of the pipe or fitting, and the formation of this layer is affected by pH, temperature, the availability of calcium (hardness) and carbon dioxide. If the water is too alkaline (above pH 8.5), the rapid deposition and build-up of calcium carbonate that can result may eventually block the pipe.” 2011 ADWG