Tests on both bores returned non-detects in 2016, to the relief of staff at the Go Kindy in Salt Ash. 

However a follow-up test in July showed trace levels of the poly- and perfluoroalkyl chemicals [PFAS] in one of the bores.

A Go Kindy spokesperson said both bores were currently being capped off as a precaution, now that the kindergarten was hooked up to the Hunter Water network. 

“That’s probably a huge peace of mind for families and for us,” he said. 

The kindergarten is located in a part of the red zone that has had a spate of new detects in the last six months. 

Parents Ryan and Jessica Baker raised concerns about practices at the kindergarten last month, when their young daughter, Ociana, returned home from the centre with a passionfruit that had been grown in its garden. 

The Go Kindy spokesperson denied the fruit had been given to Ociana by one of their educators, but said the Bakers had received an apology over the incident. 

Mr Baker said news the bores would be capped was a “good result”, but called for independent testing of the kindergarten’s soil, sand and fruit. 

“Also, blood tests should be made available … for children that have been at the centre,” he said. 

It comes as the Defence department denied a resident’s request for additional water so she did not have to use her contaminated bore.

Kim Smith, of Salt Ash, has been avoiding using the bore to water her animals or lawn, after her horse and dogs developed cancerous tumours. 

But her rainwater tanks ran empty in September following a dry winter, and she wrote to Defence requesting they be topped up with an additional 10,000 litres.

In a letter, Defence told Ms Smith that using the contaminated bore for outdoor maintenance activities was low risk, as well as having skin contact with the water. 

They also argued it was unnecessary because Ms Smith had been provided bottled water for drinking.