The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has told landholders near its Darling Downs air base not to drink bore water as it tests what impact firefighting chemicals have had on local aquifers.

The firefighting foam contains two compounds known as PFOS and PFOA which were used at the Army’s Oakey Aviation Centre between 1970 and 2005.

The chemicals are also found in common household and industrial items such as cleaning products.

The ADF has classified them as emerging contaminants because there has been limited research into their potential health impacts.

Water samples from bores on farms surrounding the base were taken in January and again in May and the ADF says results are expected within weeks.

It has told landholders not to drink water from those bores as a precaution but stresses the water supply of the neighbouring town of Oakey is safe.

The ADF is holding a community meeting next week.

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