Foam Fallout: Tracing PFAS Contamination from Fire Suppression Testing

Brief

When a large-scale energy industry facility planned operational testing of a fire suppression system containing PFAS-based foam, containment and environmental protection was repeatedly flagged as priorities. The client took proactive steps to isolate all drainage pathways and prevent foam discharge into the site’s drainage network, which ultimately connected to a nearby stream.

Despite these precautions, foam was observed in the drainage system and adjacent watercourse, raising serious concerns about potential environmental contamination and regulatory exposure.

What we did

To support the court in understanding the incident, HKA was engaged to conduct a forensic environmental assessment. Our experts analysed laboratory data from the stream, evaluated the chemical composition of the PFAS used in the test, and reviewed the site’s drainage infrastructure to determine how the foam may have escaped containment

Outcomes

Through this detailed investigation, we helped the court establish a clear understanding of the contamination pathway, enabling informed decision-making.