On 10 April 2024, United
States Environmental Protection Authority (US EPA) announced their final
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS variants. The new
limits on PFAS, (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are much lower than the
previous limits, close to the limits of detection of the chemicals.
Concerns about PFAS
in drinking water are not new. A 2011 study on Concentrations
of PFOS, PFOA and other perfluorinated alkyl acids in Australian drinking water
by Thompson et al, found low concentrations of the chemicals in many drinking
water samples taken at the time from many towns and suburbs across Australia.
The concentrations were found to all be well below the limits specified in the Australian
Drinking Water Guidelines, however there is significant conjecture given
the recent US EPA decision as to whether the Australian limits are appropriate.
On 28 April 2024 a
documentary titled Revealed: How to poison a planet was
released on the Stan streaming service. The documentary covered PFAS
contamination in Australia and overseas. Locations in NSW included the NSW south coast and Williamtown near Newcastle.
An Australian
journalist associated with the documentary has published a number of front page
stories in the Sydney Morning Herald highlighting concerns with PFAS in water
and calling for urgent action by authorities.
Public
reviews and inquiries
On 14 June 2024, the
Australian National Health and Medical Health Council confirmed that a Review
of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines would focus on the health based
guideline values for PFAS in drinking water, having regard for the US EPA
recommendations.
On 22 August 2024,
the Select
Committee on PFAS was appointed by resolution of the Australian Senate. The
committee is due to report on or before 5 August 2025.
On 25 September
2024, the NSW Legislative Council established the Select
Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies
Throughout NSW, with detailed Terms
of Reference. In contrast to the national inquiry which is wide ranging,
the NSW inquiry will focus solely on drinking water
PFAS
in consumer products
There are numerous
exposure pathways for PFAS. According to the Green Science Policy
Institute in the US, PFAS can be found in:
- Firefighting foam
- Carpets and carpet cleaning
products
- Food packaging
- Non-stick cookware
- Furnishings and car seats
- Cosmetics
- Outdoor gear, clothing and
protective coatings
- Adhesives and sealants
So while we should
be concerned about PFAS in drinking water, there are a number of other
significant exposure pathways for PFAS that should be addressed. The
Commonwealth has proposed to introduce more stringent controls over some
categories of PFAS from 1 July 2025.
It is important to
note that as previous bans have taken effect over 20 years ago, there has been
a measurable decline in PFAS concentrations in Australians. However many legacy
sites remain throughout NSW. The
NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program hosted by NSW EPA has mapped
sites where large quantities of PFAS have been used across NSW.
The Queensland Water Directorate in
partnership with Queensland water service providers shares a range of
information on contaminants of emerging concern in water and wastewater,
including referencing the work of the US Green Science Policy
Institute on PFAS.
Can
PFAS in water be treated?
Yes. Water treatment
technologies exist to remove PFAS from drinking water including granular
activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange systems. However the costs
to build and operate for our cities and regional towns will be very high, in
the order of billions of dollars to remove these trace chemicals using our
municipal water treatment plants.
Alternatives such as
water jugs fitted with these filters, or filters fitted to kitchen taps are
also possible, but probably not affordable for all members of our community.
A
risk based approach
Local Water
Utilities face a wide range of risks to the safe and affordable operation of
water supply and sewerage services, including drought and water security,
bacteria and viruses in water, metals and pesticides, as well as contaminants
of emerging concern including PFAS and other chemicals.
In an article
in the Guardian Professor and Head of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney,
Stuart Khan, provides an excellent discussion on the need to balance different
risks, noting the impossibility of reaching zero risk.
NSW Health has
recommended that local water utilities undertake initial
screening for PFAS as part of appropriately managing risk. Local water
utilities should consider publicly publishing test results to their
communities. Consideration should also be given to community engagement and
awareness raising of this complex issue, especially where the presence of PFAS has been detected.
The NSW Water
Directorate continues to engage with other water sector peak bodies, including
the Water
Services Association of Australia (WSAA) to share information and obtain
updates. As WSAA have said:
The increasing focus on PFAS chemicals in Australia
makes it even more important for the water industry to continue to provide
information to its customers on the extensive measures in place to maintain its
very high standards for safe drinking water across the country. Providing safe
drinking water has always been the highest priority for our members and the
industry. We need to keep working hard to ensure the public is aware of this
too, and WSAA will continue to ensure resources and support are available to
help members in this task.
WSAA's PFAS Fact Sheet also contains helpful advice.
What
about wastewater services and PFAS?
The potential
presence of PFAS in wastewater, biosolids and recycled water can also be of
concern. On 23 September 2022, the Australian DCCEEW opened consultation on draft version 3.0 of the
National Environmental Management Plan for PFAS, which closed on 28
February 2023. A significant factor in implementing the NEMP will be the
margins of safety for PFAS limits in the environment. Conservative margins of
safety will likely trigger the need for billions of dollars of upgrades to biosolids
handling facilities to treat PFAS. Small regional water utilities in NSW will
be unlikely to afford these costs, which are exacerbated by transportation
costs to possible regional treatment facilities. The PFAS NEMP was planned
to be finalised in 2024.
In 2023, NSW EPA
commenced consultation on a NSW
Biosolids Regulatory Review, which closed in February 2024. The next steps
on a draft regulatory approach have yet to be presented based on the feedback
received.