Image: Image: Sydney Water/ Facebook
Sydney Water has confirmed unsafe levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — “forever chemicals” — have been found in several drinking water catchments, sparking discussion over Australia’s testing guidelines and policies.
Detected first in June the data was released later on their website. Sydney Water has confirmed that low levels of PFAS were detected in filtration plants at Warragamba, Prospect Reservoir, and Orchard Hills. Higher levels were found at Cascade Dam in the Blue Mountains and North Richmond.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS refers to a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals that do not degrade naturally.
These chemicals have been used since the 1950s in common household products such as non-stick frying pans, clothing, cosmetics, and insecticides, as well as industrial products like firefighting foam. Because of this, they are found in almost everything and are nearly impossible to avoid.
However, exposure to PFAS over extended periods of time do pose health risks to humans, including some cancers, thyroid disease, and reduced kidney function.
While the health risks of PFAS are not universally agreed upon and haven’t explicitly been shown to cause such issues, international regulatory bodies have restricted PFAS use and tightened policies related to safe drinking water limits.
PFAS were labelled a carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 2023, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared PFOA (a type of PFAS) to be a category one human carcinogen.
Australia’s Laxed Guidelines
While the PFAS detections found by Sydney Water were within Australia’s guidelines for drinking water, these standards do not meet international consensus.
US standards require filtration systems to target five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. Of these five PFAS, 4 nanograms per litre (ng/L) are allowed to be present in water supplies.
In Canada, all 14,000 chemicals are monitored, and a combined 30 ng/L is allowed.
Currently, Australia’s permitted level for PFOS and PFHxS is 70 ng/L, while PFOA is limited to 560 ng/L.
This level is 140 times what is deemed safe by US standards and 280 times more than what is stated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Restore A Safe Water Supply
This revelation prompted NSW Greens MP, Cate Faehrmann, to call for greater testing standards in Australia.
“The Government needs to come out today and assure Sydneysiders that their drinking water is safe, and if it isn’t, what steps will it take to urgently restore a safe water supply?” Faehrmann stated. Faehrmann also voiced the need for an independent investigation into Sydney’s drinking water.
“These latest revelations also show that Sydney Water and the EPA aren’t being straight with the public and therefore a full independent investigation is needed.”
“The Federal Government must urgently bring forward its review of Australia’s drinking water guidelines, which have not been updated since 2022.”
International Pollutants Elimination Network senior policy adviser Mariann Lloyd-Smith, also spoke out against Australia’s approach to PFAS testing and regulation.
Speaking with 7NEWS, Lloyd-Smith remarked, “What makes Australian governments so reluctant to act and protect their communities? I don’t have an answer for that.”
With 45 years of experience working with PFAS, Lloyd-Smith told 7NEWS that adopting the US standards would be the best starting point for Australia to upgrade its policy.
