Water sector response to draft PFAS drinking water guidelines

The Water Services Association of Australia has welcomed the release of the draft updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on PFAS.

The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has welcomed the release of the draft updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on PFAS by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The draft guidelines propose health-protective levels for four PFAS:

  • lower levels for the three types of PFAS in the current guidelines (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS)
  • a new level for an additional PFAS chemical – PFBS.

The guidelines set health-protective values for how much of a substance a person can consume over their lifetime without any increased risk to their health. The values are very conservative and include a range of uncertainty factors, which always err on the side of caution to ensure public health. They include a wide safety margin.

The proposed NHMRC advice and health-based guideline values are draft only and will not be considered final until published in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The NHMRC is seeking feedback on the new draft Guidelines.

The water sector supports the NHMRC review and public consultation process, which is now open and will close on 22 November. WSAA and its members will thoroughly review the draft guidelines and provide any feedback, including on how they can be best implemented.

Water Services Association of Australia Executive Director Adam Lovell said the water sector supported the thorough scientific process to set the guidelines.

“Australia has some of the highest quality drinking water in the world,” Lovell said. “For most of us, drinking water is sourced from well-protected, often pristine catchments or through multiple barrier treatment processes.

“Protecting water quality and public health is the highest priority for water providers around the country, working closely with federal and state health regulators.

“The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the continual expert review process are part of our rigorous, independent and scientific system that helps ensure drinking water is safe.

“We support the ongoing review of these guidelines to ensure they are based on the latest science and methods for the Australian context to help maintain high-quality drinking water nationwide.

“The NHMRC members are the experts in their fields. They are advised by our top independent health, epidemiology and toxicology experts.

“The most important message is that consumers can have confidence in their drinking water – as the NHMRC advised, the risk from PFAS in drinking water is low for most Australians, and your water is safe if it meets the guidelines.”

Background

Since the 1950s, PFAS chemicals have been manufactured in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Though not made in Australia, the chemicals have been widely used in industrial and consumer products such as firefighting foams, pesticides, fertilisers, carpets, paint, frying pans, makeup, sunscreen, clothes, food packaging, and other everyday items.

PFAS chemicals are not added to drinking water, but very small amounts can be present due to contamination from external sources in the environment and these consumer products.

Related Articles:

Send this to a friend