1988 PFAS laden fire fighting foams used in training at Tindal RAAF Base.
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2004 Tindal phases out use of the foam because of concerns about its safety to the environment and to health.
November, 2016 Defence report finds foams have leached off the base and into the water aquifer.
November, 2016 Preliminary NT Government report reveals PFAS contamination in town drinking water.
November, 2016 Public meetings in Katherine organised by Defence to update residents.
December, 2016 More than 40 properties around Tindal being supplied with drinking water by Defence.
February, 2017 Defence launched year-long study into extent of contamination in Katherine region from Tindal air base.
April, 2017 NT Government increases testing of Katherine drinking water. Testing consistently shows two production bores used to supply water treatment plant are well above health limits.
April, 2017 The Federal Government dramatically reduces the health limits for PFAS chemicals in line with US standards from 0.5 micrograms per litre, to 0.07.
April, 2017 Public meetings in Katherine for Defence to update residents.
May, 2017 Katherine told no blood testing would be offered until the chemical contamination study is complete.
June, 2017 Public meetings in Katherine for Defence to update residents.
July 2017 Four tests show PFAS levels have spiked above health limits for safe drinking water.
August, 2017 Defence commission delivery of a pilot water treatment plant from the US costing $4 million to remove PFAS from one megalitre of Katherines bore water.
August, 2017 Water restrictions begin in Katherine to reduce water use from PFAS fears.
September, 2017 New defence water treatment plant jets into Darwin airport.
October, 2017 Katherines public swimming pool returns a PFAS result above health limits.
October, 2017 Defence holds one-on-one sessions to update residents.
October, 2017 Defence, media and public officials tour new treatment plant.
November 2017 NT Government promises to review Katherine water restrictions.
April, 2018 Power and Water says Katherine will need a new water treatment plant to clean PFAS from drinking water.
May, 2018 Dr P.J. Spafford alerts residents of alarming PFAS readings from blood tests.
May, 2018 Mayor Fay Miller offered apology by Health Minister Greg Hunt over rudeness during December PFAS lobbying in Canberra.
June, 2018 Shine Lawyers wins backing of litigation firm to mount class action against Defence on behalf of Katherine residents.
June, 2018 Defence, health, university and other experts return to Katherine for another community update.
August, 2018 Class action filed on behalf of Katherine residents against Department of Defence.
September, 2018 Into the red zone, the towns water use moves into the safe buffer of PFAS free supplies.
September, 2018 First official food warnings, beware eating locally caught fish.
September, 2018 Supplementary investigation report released.
November, 2018 Ecological report released at Defence update meeting in Katherine.
December, 2018 Senate report on PFAS again recommends compensation for landowners.
February, 2019 - First of two Tindal water treatment plants is operational.
April, 2019 - Power and Water order larger water treatment plant from US for Katherine township.
June, 2019 - Health authorities issue updated warning on PFAS.
June, 2019 - Katherine Town Council joins class action, through Shine Lawyers.
July, 2019 - Defence returns to Katherine for community update, plan to stop PFAS leaking from the base.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
