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Hunter Water Meets Draft PFAS Guidelines, Water Safe For Consumption

today21 October 2024

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The NSW Government has welcomed new proposed guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) concerning PFAS contamination in drinking water. These guidelines, which recommend lowering acceptable PFAS levels, have been released for public consultation and come at a time when concerns about water safety remain fresh in the minds of Newcastle and Hunter Valley residents.

While the new PFAS standards are stricter, Hunter Water reassures its customers that all current water supplies continue to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This includes the Newcastle area, where ongoing testing has shown no alarming PFAS levels in drinking water. However, the region has not been without issues in the past. In 2015, Hunter Water’s Pump Station #9 near Williamtown had to be isolated from the water network due to PFAS contamination from nearby industrial activities​

Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, addressed these concerns directly in a recent media release: “All drinking water that meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines remains safe to drink. There are no immediate changes or risks when it comes to drinking water that meets our existing guidelines.” Jackson also emphasised that the NSW Government is taking proactive steps to keep the public informed and protect water safety: “We understand the community’s concerns about PFAS and are committed to transparency, ensuring the community has access to up-to-date information.”

Additionally, Jackson highlighted the ongoing work to support regional NSW utilities in testing for PFAS. “We will continue to support water utilities across the state to deliver safe drinking water,” she said, citing the NSW Government’s $32.8 million Town Water Risk Reduction Program, which has been extended until June 2028.

The NHMRC’s draft guidelines are based on conservative assumptions to minimise even small health risks and remain open for public consultation. These guidelines reflect the maximum PFAS a person can consume in their lifetime without appreciable health risks. While some regions may need to take action to meet the new standards, Jackson reassured the public, stating that current drinking water supplies remain safe. “The National Health and Medical Research Council has said any detections of PFAS higher than the proposed new guideline values should not be viewed as a pass/fail measure but should be investigated, and actions taken,” she explained.

With the community keenly aware of the risks posed by PFAS, the NSW Government, alongside national bodies such as the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is actively monitoring water supplies to ensure safety and compliance. Hunter Water, which provides drinking water to hundreds of thousands in the Lower Hunter region, continues to manage water quality while addressing past contamination concerns​

For more information on the NHMRC’s guidelines and updates on PFAS testing in NSW, visit nsw.gov.au/pfas.

 

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Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.