From 1 October 2026, new requirements commenced for licensed NSW landfills and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Our low level PFAS short suite supports operators with targeted analysis, required reporting limits and practical sample submission.
The NSW EPA's Landfill and STPs PFAS Monitoring Chemical Control Order (CCO) requires covered Environment Protection Licence (EPL) holders to monitor four key PFAS analytes and report results.
For councils, utilities and facility operators, this means confirming that analytical testing meets the reporting requirements for each sample type.
Our low-level PFAS short suite provides a focused testing option for routine monitoring, supported by NATA Accredited environmental laboratory expertise.
Why the EPA has introduced PFAS monitoring
Landfills and STPs can receive PFAS through waste and wastewater. Further, landfill leachate and treated sewage effluent have been identified by the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) as significant secondary sources of PFAS.
The CCO establishes consistent monitoring, specifying analytical reporting limits to improve understanding of PFAS releases and inform future regulatory decisions.
Where elevated results are identified, NSW EPA will conduct further investigation aligned to the downstream risk and downgradient receptors.
Key monitoring requirements
The CCO applies to licensed landfills and STPs throughout NSW, excluding sewage treatment premises licensed to Sydney Water Corporation.
Monitoring frequency
Landfills
- Quarterly groundwater monitoring from downgradient bores for each landfill cell.
- Quarterly downstream surface water monitoring where downgradient groundwater monitoring locations are not available.
- Annual leachate monitoring from each licensed leachate monitoring point.
STPs
- Quarterly treated effluent monitoring from the licensed discharge monitoring point.
Quarterly sampling events must be at least 60 days apart. Landfills without either groundwater or surface water monitoring locations should contact the EPA.
Analysis must follow NSW approved methods using an appropriate aqueous liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS method based on USEPA 1633A).
PFAS analytes and reporting limits
The CCO specifies maximum limits of reporting (LORs) for four analytes
| Analyte | Max LOR – water and effluent (µg/L) | Max LOR – landfill leachate (µg/L) | Low-level SGS LOR (µg/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS | 0.001 | 0.01 | 0.001 |
| PFOA | 0.001 | 0.01 | 0.001 |
| PFHxS | 0.001 | 0.01 | 0.001 |
| PFBS | 0.005 | 0.01 | 0.004 |
Targeted suites for routine monitoring
Our low-level PFAS short suite includes all four analytes specified in the CCO:
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
The PFAS short suite also includes 6:2 fluorotelometer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) and 8:2 fluorotelometer sulfonate (8:2 FTS), providing additional analytical information beyond the four-analyte requirement. We also offer landfill leachate analysis.
Practical support for your testing and analysis
Reliable monitoring starts before samples reach the laboratory. Confirming the sample containers, documentation and submission arrangements helps your field and laboratory teams work together. We support groundwater, surface water, treated effluent and landfill leachate testing through:
- Targeted low level PFAS analysis
- Sample containers and chain of custody documentation
- Technical support and analytical reporting
- Pre-packed and pre-labelled sample kits, by arrangement
- Scheduling, data management and courier logistics, as required.
- For investigations requiring additional information, we offer broader PFAS testing suites. Discuss requirements for additional analytes, matrices and methods with our environmental team
Explore our brochure to learn more: PFAS monitoring for landfills and sewage treatment plants
Discuss your next sampling round with us
- Our environmental laboratory team combines independent analysis with practical support for your monitoring. By targeting key analytes as part of a short suite, we ensure efficient and compliant laboratory testing.
- Our reduced low level reporting limits for PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS from 0.002 µg/L to 0.001 µg/L, and our existing PFBS reporting limit meets the CCO's 0.005 µg/L requirement, enabling compliance with the NSW EPA CCO requirements.
Confidence for PFAS compliance
With the CCO now in effect, landfill and STP operators should ensure monitoring programs are established and sampling schedules are in place.
We provide the analytical capability, technical expertise, data management, reporting and logistical support needed to help organisations meet NSW EPA PFAS monitoring requirements with confidence.
Ready to discuss your PFAS monitoring program and testing requirements? Contact our experts today!
IMPACT NOW for sustainability
PFAS testing is a core service within our IMPACT NOW for sustainability initiative, which brings together solutions under four strategic pillars: climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity. Under the nature pillar, we offer practical solutions to detect and assess PFAS, enabling better decision-making, regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility. Our goal is to empower businesses to drive meaningful change and meet the rising demands of regulators, stakeholders and conscious consumers.
IMPACT NOW for sustainability embodies our commitment to a climate-neutral, nature-positive and pollution-free future.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
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