Blue Mountains residents demand answers about PFAS in their water | 7.30

Key Concepts

• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): A group of over 4,000 man-made chemicals used since the 1950s for their heat, grease, and water-repellent properties. Also known as "Forever Chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment.
• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid): A type of PFAS declared as cancer-causing by the World Health Organization in 2023.
• PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid): Another type of PFAS classified as possibly cancer-causing by the World Health Organization in 2023.
• Greaves Creek & Medlow Dam: Freshwater creek and dam in the Blue Mountains, Australia, found to contain elevated levels of PFAS. Medlow Dam is a water supply for thousands of residents.
• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: Standards for safe drinking water in Australia, which are being updated to include stricter PFAS limits.
• Reverse Osmosis System: An expensive water filtration system used to remove PFAS and other contaminants.

PFAS Contamination in the Blue Mountains Water Supply

Discovery and Initial Response

• Water scientist Ian Wright discovered high levels of PFAS in Greaves Creek, a seemingly pristine water source in the Blue Mountains.
• The presence of PFAS was unexpected, as the area is considered a clean water catchment.
• Greaves Creek flows into Medlow Dam, a water supply for thousands of residents.
• Water authorities conducted their own tests and found slightly elevated levels of PFAS, including PFOS, in untreated water in Medlow Dam.
• As a precaution, Medlow Dam and the nearby Greaves Creek Dam were disconnected from the water supply.

Sydney Water's Actions and Public Reassurance

• Sydney Water emphasizes that the water supplied to homes is filtered and complies with current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
• The organization is implementing activities to assure customers that their drinking water is safe.
• Sydney Water has installed a special filtration system at a filtration plant to dramatically reduce PFAS levels in the Blue Mountains water supply.
• As of January of the current year, PFAS levels in the water are reportedly well below the proposed standards.
• Sydney Water's representatives state that they are committed to meeting the updated guidelines and ensuring the safety of drinking water.

Concerns and Criticisms

• The proposed updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines will introduce tougher standards for PFAS levels.
• Filtered water tested in June of the previous year had PFOS levels four times higher than what would be acceptable under the proposed standards.
• Blue Mountains resident John D installed his own reverse osmosis filtration system due to a lack of trust in the tap water.
• John D, co-founder of Planet Ark, leads a community group against PFAS and feels misled by the government and Sydney Water.
• The community group is preparing a class action against the government, calling for mass blood testing of residents and compensation.

Parliamentary Inquiry and Leadership Change at Sydney Water

• A state parliamentary inquiry is examining the extent of PFAS in water supplies across New South Wales.
• Sydney Water's managing director Rock Sheru initially defended the organization's handling of the issue but later left his position.
• Paul Plowman is filling in as managing director.
• The board made a decision to change leadership.
• The interim managing director stated that the previous managing director's departure was not related to the handling of PFAS in the Blue Mountains.
• Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the inquiry, feeling that it is primarily focused on reassurance rather than addressing the underlying issues.

PFAS in Wildlife and Human Blood

Platypus Study

• Katherine Warrick from Western Sydney University conducted a study on dead platypuses and found PFAS in their livers.
• PFOS concentrations ranged from not detectable to 1,200 micrograms per kilogram.
• A platypus from Taronga Zoo, which lived in captivity for 26 years, had no detectable PFAS in its liver.
• The presence of PFAS in wild platypuses, but not the captive one, highlights the widespread contamination of the environment.

Human Blood Tests

• John D commissioned blood tests on some Blue Mountains residents, revealing concerning levels of PFAS.
• One resident had a PFAS level of 16 parts per trillion, the highest seen so far in the Blue Mountains.
• It is unclear whether there is a direct link between the water and these test results.
• New South Wales Health stated that there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine whether PFAS blood levels will cause illness or if current health problems are related to PFAS levels.

Unknowns and Regrets

• There is a lack of historical data on PFAS levels in the Blue Mountains water supply, as Sydney Water only began testing in June of the previous year.
• The absence of prior testing is considered regrettable, as it hinders the understanding of the extent and duration of the contamination.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The discovery of PFAS in the Blue Mountains water supply has raised significant concerns among residents and prompted investigations into the extent of the contamination. While Sydney Water has taken steps to reduce PFAS levels and assures the public of the safety of their drinking water, questions remain about the long-term health effects and the adequacy of past monitoring practices. The situation highlights the pervasive nature of PFAS pollution and the challenges in addressing this emerging environmental and public health issue. The community's call for greater transparency, comprehensive testing, and accountability underscores the need for proactive measures to protect water resources and public health from PFAS contamination.