If you live in Sydney or the Blue Mountains, this is a wake-up call. Scientists have just discovered 21 new PFAS chemicals in Sydney’s tap water — including one breakdown product from firefighting foams that has never been detected in drinking water anywhere in the world.
Some Blue Mountains water samples were 300 TIMES more contaminated than Sydney’s Warragamba Dam.
And here’s the kicker: Sydney Water told the public everything was safe… but a NSW parliamentary inquiry revealed those claims were false.
What Are PFAS and Why You Should Care
PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, don’t break down in the environment and build up in your body over time.
PFAS exposure is linked to serious health risks. Recent studies have highlighted the significant health impacts of PFAS exposure:
- Cancer Risks: Exposure to PFAS has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer.
- Immune System Disruption: PFAS can weaken the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight infections and respond to vaccinations.
- Hormonal Imbalances: These chemicals can disrupt thyroid hormone metabolism and hormonal balances, potentially leading to reproductive issues and developmental harm.
- Pregnancy Complications: Elevated PFAS levels in pregnant women have been linked to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight and developmental delays in infants.
- Liver and Kidney Damage: Long-term exposure to PFAS has been associated with liver and kidney damage, affecting their ability to function properly.
Even tiny amounts are concerning, especially when chemicals persist forever.
Australia vs the World: Who Sets the “Safe” Limit?
🇦🇺 Australia: Sydney’s water meets local guidelines.
🇺🇸 USA: The EPA warns there is no safe level of PFAS in drinking water.
Professor Donald explains:
“Sydney's water meets current Australian standards, but when considering health benchmarks used in other countries, some samples were near or above safety limits.”
Credit: Mohamed Ateia Ibrahim
How to Protect Yourself at Home
Not all water filters are equal. To effectively remove PFAS, look for systems that are:
- NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 certified
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) or certified activated carbon filters
Always check the certification of your filter model before buying.
Why This Matters
- 21 new PFAS chemicals detected — including a world-first chemical from firefighting foam. It brings the known total to 31 types.
- Blue Mountains’ tap water is shockingly contaminated.
- Sydney Water falsely claimed safety.
- International benchmarks show cause for serious concern.
- NSF-certified filters are your best defense at home.
Stay Safe and Informed
Water contamination is a public health issue you can’t ignore. Stay updated on PFAS in NSW, make informed choices about water filtration, and protect your family today.
Sources:
- ABC News – 21 new PFAS chemicals identified in Sydney tap water via sensitive testing methods
- ABC News – Report finds Sydney Water was too quick to claim no PFAS hotspots in drinking water catchments
- ABC News – Concerns about sewage discharge in Sydney's drinking water catchment
- ABC News – Likely sources of 'forever chemicals' found in Blue Mountains drinking water catchment revealed
- NSW Government – PFAS and drinking water
- UNSW – More types of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in Sydney tap water than previously thought
- UNSW – Specific ‘forever chemical’ found at unexpected levels in firefighting foam
