Sydney Water’s Head of Laboratory Services, Julia Bartlett, has confirmed that Sydney’s drinking water remains well within the stringent safety standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).

The confirmation follows recent media reports questioning water quality in the city.

According to Ms. Bartlett, all recent water samples were significantly below the ADWG limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Sydney Water is also working to reassure customers that drinking water is not the primary source of PFAS exposure.

Everyday products such as sunscreen, food packaging, and certain clothing are more likely to contribute to PFAS levels in the environment and human exposure.

“Our customers can be assured the quality of water delivered to taps after treatment consistently meets the guidelines,” Ms. Bartlett said.

It’s crucial to note that the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines apply solely to water treated for human consumption, and Sydney Water takes extra precautions to ensure test accuracy.

For instance, water quality experts conducting the tests use PFAS-free personal protective equipment and must avoid PFAS-containing products, like certain shampoos or sunscreens, for 24 hours prior to testing.