Sydney Tap Water Now Contains 31 PFAS Chemicals, Sensitive Testing Shows

Sensitive Testing Finds 21 More PFAS Types in Sydney’s Tap Water

Australian researchers have discovered 21 new PFAS “forever chemicals” in Sydney’s tap water, bringing the total detected to 31 distinct types. The breakthrough came from the University of New South Wales team using advanced, sensitive methods to analyse samples from four water catchments.  

While most PFAS levels remain extremely low, “like one drop in 20 Olympic pools” and well within Australian drinking water guidelines, the US EPA considers that there is no safe PFAS level due to long-term health risks. Some Sydney water samples were found to be near or above international safety benchmarks.   

Significantly, the team detected a PFAS chemical never before reported in tap water anywhere in the world, likely originating from food packaging, and another rare breakdown product of firefighting foam found in Australia for the first time.   

Sydney Water assures residents that water treated at its nine filtration plants is safe and compliant with local guidelines, yet the findings highlight a need for broader, ongoing PFAS monitoring and international scientific cooperation.    

Sensitive testing is revealing more PFAS chemicals in our water than ever before. While levels are currently low, the discovery emphasises the need for ongoing vigilance, research, and updated standards to safeguard public health.   

Keep an eye on PFAS Pulse for continued updates on water safety, chemical monitoring, and global PFAS research.