THE Country Fire Authority has hosed down fears fire-fighters are training with toxic water at Longerenong.
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The Herald Sun reported at the weekend the authority had been accused of setting the standards to fit the results of water tests, which have not yet been released.
Chief executive Michael Wootten said after receiving draft reports he was satisfied Longerenong did not pose health risks.
‘‘We also provided information to say the draft water management plan referred to in the article is unrelated to recent water testing conducted at our regional training centres,’’ he said.
‘‘We will not be lowering our water quality standards to meet test results.
‘‘After receiving the draft reports, I am satisfied that all six regional training centres – Bangholme, Huntly, Longerenong, Penshurst, Wangaratta and West Sale – do not pose health risks and training can continue.’’
Mr Wootten said Longerenong was essential to the authority’s ongoing need for statewide training and the health and safety of staff, volunteers and visitors always remained its top priority.
The reports have not been made public, with the authority refusing to release draft reports.
An authority spokesman said a small number of groundwater and soil results fell outside the international criteria, requiring further testing and analysis.
‘‘Final results will not be available for release until these tests are completed,’’ he said.
‘‘CFA’s regional training centres are safe for use and are continuing to operate.’’
He said testing of drinking and training water and targeted environmental testing of soil, sediment and surface water confirmed the outcome.
‘‘Drinking water is safe and clear of all perfluorinated chemicals. Water for training is fit for purpose with levels of PFCs identified below the international criteria for recreational use,’’ he said.
‘‘Low levels of PFCs were found in some soil, sediment and surface water samples.
‘‘All samples were many orders of magnitude lower than those found at Fiskville.’’