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South East Queensland Water (SEQ Water) has taken action to reassure the public that the water is safe to drink and meets Australian guidelines, which differ from international standards.
Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), are synthetic substances found in many different products, including pesticides and firefighting foam.
PFOA in high concentrations can cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
“What you drank in Brisbane is seven times what is considered legally safe in America,” former NSW Australian of the Year and founder of the Stop PFAS Action Group John Dee told 9News.
In Australia, current guidelines allow 560 parts per trillion of PFOA in drinking water, while in the US the Environmental Protection Agency recommends less than four.
Last year testing by SEQ water at Mt Crosby Westbank, which produces most of Brisbane’s drinking water, found PFOA levels of 36 parts per trillion, and this year it was 23.
“Most importantly the water is safe to drink and we are fully compliant with Australian drinking water guidelines,” SEQ Water General Manager Matt McKehon told 9News.
“We are required to follow Australian drinking water guidelines, not US drinking guidelines.”
Guidelines for PFOA in drinking water are currently being reviewed in Australia, and limits are expected to be lowered to 200 parts per trillion next year, still 50 times higher than the US.
“We need to start meeting America’s safety standards if we are serious about protecting people from these chemicals in their drinking water,” Dee said.
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