'Forever' cancer-linked chemicals found across Sydney's drinking water catchment: What you need to know

An investigation has been launched after low levels of carcinogens dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ were detected in Sydney’s drinking water catchments.

Sydney Water confirmed cancer-linked PFAS chemicals were found in catchments across the city in June.

Data on the water contents revealed low levels of cancer-linked carcinogens were present in major filtration plants, including Orchard Hills, Prospect Reservoir and Warragamba, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

PFAS (per- and peri-fluoroalkyl substances) were also detected in higher levels at the Cascade Dam in the Blue Mountains and North Richmond, 70km northwest of the CBD.

The concentration levels of the chemicals are within Australia’s drinking water safety limits but are far higher than what US authorities deem safe to drink.

In April, industrial conglomerate 3M was sued for ‘deceiving’ the American public about the presence of PFAS chemicals in their drinking water.

PFAS are deemed ‘forever chemicals’ because they never break down in the environment.

The chemicals detected in Sydney’s tap water have been used in fabric protector, packaging and firefighting foam.

New data from Sydney Water revealed low levels of cancer-linked carcinogens were present in major filtration plants including Orchard Hills, Prospect Reservoir and Warragamba (pictured)

Sydney Water has confirmed that cancer-linked PFAS chemicals have been found in catchments across the city (pictured, a Water NSW at Warragamba Dam)

PFAS chemicals were detected at five of nine water catchments sampled by Sydney Water with 10+ ppt (parts per trillion) PFAS recorded at Cascade.

These levels are four times the maximum limit at which PFAS must be removed from drinking water in the US, prompting another round of testing.

The Cascade water filtration plant supplies water to up to 30,000 people with levels of PFAS higher at Katoomba and Blackheath than other sites.

There were 2+ ppt PFAS detected at water filtration plants in Orchard Hills, North Richmond, Prospect and Warragamba.

However, there were no detectable levels of PFAS in catchments in Macarthur, Nepean, the Woronora River or the Illawarra.

The results of the tests conducted by Sydney Water will see the country’s largest water utility now conduct monthly tests in ‘potentially impacted areas’.

The move contradicts Sydney Water’s previous position that there are no PFAS hotspots in the city’s drinking water catchments.

‘All samples tested are well below [Australian drinking water] guidelines’ … and ‘monitoring of drinking water uses a risk-based approach,’ a Sydney Water spokesperson said.

‘There is regular consultation between Sydney Water, WaterNSW and NSW Health to assess any potential risk of PFAS or any other contaminant to Sydney’s drinking supply.’

However, experts say an urgent inquiry into PFAS in Australia needs to be prioritised.

Ian Wright, a water pollution expert at the University of Western Sydney, said the results of the latest tests by Sydney Water would be ‘confronting’ for many.

‘This also contradicts statements made by the authorities that there is no PFAS risk in the catchment. Without any doubt, further regular testing is needed and needs to be publicly reported,’ the expert told the Herald.

PFAS is a term used for thousands of substances deemed ‘forever chemicals’ because they never break down in the environment (pictured, Warragamba Dam)

High levels of PFAS have been detected in the livers of platypuses in coastal NSW – suggesting the chemicals can accumulate and spread (stock)

His warning comes at a time when high levels of PFAS had been detected in the livers of platypuses in coastal NSW, suggesting the chemicals can accumulate and spread.

Some of the monotremes with levels of the ‘forever chemicals’ were found in areas where there are no known PFA hotspots nearby.

The study, led by Katherine Warwick, a PhD student at the University of Western Sydney, studied the bodies of nine platypuses from different regions.

Researchers found all of the native animals had traces of PFAS in their systems apart from one captive platypus that had ingested filtered water at Taronga Zoo.

One of the platypuses, found dead in the Wingecarribee River water catchment, had 390 micrograms of PFAS chemicals per kilogram in its liver.

‘The levels are very, very high,’ Dr Wright told the Herald.

Previous studies have revealed links between PFAS and liver damage, birth defects and a compromised immune system in other species.

What are PFAS?

Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – commonly known as PFAS – are a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals that have been popular since the 1950s for their diverse uses in resisting heat, water, grease and stains.

They’ve been commonly found in household products like non-stick frying pans, clothing, cosmetics, insecticides, and food packaging, as well as specialty industry products, like firefighting foam.

But despite their broad skillset, the chemicals have a dark side: they’re known as ‘forever chemicals’ because once they’re in the environment – or our bodies – they don’t degrade further.

PFAS have been linked to environmental and health issues, including some cancers, but a lot remains unknown about the true scale and potential impacts of the problem – including how much is in our water supply.