What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of synthetic chemicals used for their resistance to water, oil, stains, and heat. You’ll find them in:
- Firefighting foams
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-repellent clothing
- Fast food packaging
- Certain industrial processes
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they take decades – sometimes centuries – to break down in the environment. They can accumulate in soil, water, wildlife, and the human body, even at low concentrations.
Health studies have linked certain PFAS to:
- Hormonal disruption
- Liver and kidney damage
- Immune system effects
- Developmental delays in children
- Increased risk of cancers (kidney, testicular)
PFAS in Melbourne’s water supply
Melbourne’s drinking water comes primarily from protected catchments, managed by Melbourne Water and distributed through Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, and Greater Western Water.
While Melbourne’s water meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (updated by the NHMRC in June 2025), PFAS compounds have been detected in recent years.
- Victorian Department of Health’s 2023–24 Drinking Water Report recorded 39 contamination incidents involving PFAS across the state.
- Melbourne Water publicly reports PFAS monitoring results – generally showing very low levels, but not zero.
- Some detections occur after heavy rainfall events, when runoff from industrial or firefighting sites enters waterways.
(Sources: Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne Water, 2023–2025)
Where PFAS in Melbourne’s water comes from
Local PFAS contamination sources include:
- Firefighting foam runoff from CFA training grounds and airport facilities
- Industrial waste from manufacturing sites
- Landfill leachate from PFAS-coated consumer goods
- Stormwater runoff from urban areas during heavy rain
- Historical contamination – PFAS compounds used decades ago can still be present in soils and sediments
Australian limits vs international benchmarks
In 2025, the NHMRC set limits for PFAS compounds in drinking water:
- PFOS: <8 ng/L
- PFOA: <200 ng/L
- PFHxS: <30 ng/L
- PFBS: <1,000 ng/L
By comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a 4 ng/L limit for PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS in 2024 – up to 140 times stricter for some compounds.
The Age reported that Australia’s allowable PFOA levels are significantly higher than those in the US, and that some Australian water samples would exceed US standards despite meeting our own.
Is Melbourne’s water safe?
From a regulatory standpoint, Melbourne’s water is considered safe – it meets all Australian guidelines. However:
- International comparisons show much lower limits in the US and parts of Europe.
- PFAS are highly persistent, meaning even very low levels can accumulate over time.
- Sensitive groups (children, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions) may wish to minimise exposure as a precaution.
Recent PFAS news in Australia
While Melbourne hasn’t faced a major PFAS incident recently, the national conversation has intensified:
- A University of NSW study detected 31 PFAS chemicals in Sydney’s drinking water, 21 of which had never been recorded in Australia before.
- Elevated PFAS levels were found at the Cascade Water Filtration Plant in NSW in 2024.
- Calls for nationwide PFAS testing are growing, with experts suggesting we regulate PFAS as a class of chemicals, not individually.
(Sources: 7NEWS, UNSW, The Age)
Reducing PFAS exposure at home
Municipal treatment plants are not designed to eliminate PFAS completely. If you want to reduce PFAS levels in your household water:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems – highly effective for drinking and cooking water.
- Whole-home water filtration – reduces PFAS at every tap and shower, minimising both ingestion and skin contact.
- Certified filters – look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for PFOA/PFOS reduction.
(Learn more: PureFlow Whole-Home PFAS Filter – Australia’s first residential PFAS reduction system with 95%+ PFOA/PFOS reduction.)
The bottom line for Melbourne residents
- PFAS have been detected in Victoria’s drinking water, though generally at levels well within Australian guidelines.
- Australia’s limits are much higher than those in the US and some European countries.
- Melbourne’s protected catchments help reduce contamination risk – but historical and stormwater-related PFAS can still make their way into supply.
- For peace of mind, many households are choosing advanced filtration systems that target PFAS specifically.
References
- Victorian Department of Health. Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (2023–24)
- Melbourne Water. PFAS Monitoring Data (2024–2025)
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – PFAS Review (2025)
- US Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (2024)
- Fellner, C. Australian drinking water allows carcinogen 140 times the US rate. The Age. April 2024
- Gramenz, J. Fears as more toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in tap water. 7NEWS. 2024
