Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for a project that will identify the key hazards related to floodwater contaminants, assess the associated risks posed to State Emergency Service (SES) members, and propose effective mitigation strategies to reduce these risks.
Floodwater contaminants and effective mitigation techniques was proposed by NSW State Emergency Services and will be delivered in three phases:
- Hazard identification – Analyse floodwaters across different environments (e.g. riverine, urban flash floods, stagnant inland waters) to determine what contaminants are present and how they vary by location and flood type.
- Risk assessment – Investigate both short- and long-term health impacts of exposure to these contaminants, including potential links to cancer and mental health outcomes.
- Risk mitigation – Evaluate the effectiveness of current protective clothing and decontamination methods, explore better alternatives, and develop operational guidance and training tailored to flood environments.
The outcomes of this research will lead to safer flood response operations, more informed decision-making and clearer public messaging about the risks of floodwaters.
It will also support national consistency in flood contaminant mitigation strategies and help build long-term resilience through improved monitoring, training and advocacy.
The project’s findings may also benefit other agencies involved in flood response and recovery, such as those conducting damage assessments, animal rescues, or community clean-ups.
EOI proposals are due by 5:00pm AEDT on 20 February 2026 to research@naturalhazards.com.au.
An online webinar, scheduled for 2:00 pm AEDT on 19 January 2026, will provide a more detailed briefing of the project and the opportunity for interested parties to pose specific questions. Register to attend here. Once completed, a recording of this webinar will be posted to the website to ensure all interested respondents have access to this information.
Find out more about this EOI, including how to submit, on the Floodwater contaminants and effective mitigation techniques project page.