Key takeaways — if you read nothing else
  • ✓Most Australian capital city scheme water meets the updated June 2025 ADWG PFAS limits. All major utilities test and publish results. Your utility's annual quality report is the first place to check.
  • !Blue Mountains (Cascade zone): PFAS detected June 2024, GAC treatment installed December 2024, now meets updated limits. Households wanting additional certainty: RO (NSF 58) removes 90–96% of PFAS.
  • !Bore water users near RAAF bases (Williamtown, Oakey, Tindal, Edinburgh, Pearce, East Sale) should independently test before drinking. Scheme supply in these areas meets ADWG limits but nearby groundwater may not.
  • →The only household filter with verified comprehensive PFAS removal is NSF 58 certified reverse osmosis (90–96% removal). Standard pitcher and carbon block filters are not effective for PFAS.
  • →For independent testing: use a NATA-accredited lab — costs $150–$400 for a PFAS panel. Water testing guide →

What PFAS is and why it matters in drinking water

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a class of several thousand synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foam (AFFF), industrial processes, and consumer products since the 1950s. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally in the environment or in the body. PFAS accumulate in soil, groundwater, and surface water near contamination sources, and can persist in human blood for years.

In June 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA (a key PFAS compound) as a Group 1 carcinogen — the highest level, indicating sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. PFOS was classified Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic). In response, Australia updated the ADWG in June 2025 with substantially lower health guideline values for specific PFAS compounds.

The good news for most Australians: metropolitan mains water from major utilities is regularly tested and, where PFAS has been detected, treatment has been installed. The main concern is for households near known contamination sites who are on private bore water, or in specific areas where utility treatment was only recently installed.

Known PFAS-affected supply areas in Australia

The following areas have had documented PFAS detections in drinking water supply or groundwater used for drinking. Status reflects the most recent publicly available information as of April 2026.

New South Wales

Monitoring
Blue Mountains — Cascade WFP supply area
PFAS detected in the Cascade Water Filtration Plant catchment in June 2024. Sydney Water installed GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) treatment at Cascade WFP in December 2024. Water supplied to the Blue Mountains area now meets the updated June 2025 ADWG limits. Suburbs affected: Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath, Hazelbrook, Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Woodford, Mount Victoria. Full Blue Mountains PFAS guide →
Monitoring
RAAF Williamtown and surrounding areas (Hunter Valley)
PFAS contamination from firefighting foam use at RAAF Williamtown was identified from 2016. Affected groundwater in the Williamtown, Salt Ash, Fullerton Cove and Cabbage Tree Island areas. Some households in the affected area receive alternative water supply or filters. Hunter Water (scheme supply) tests regularly and meets ADWG limits. Bore water users in the affected zone should test before drinking.
Clear
Sydney metro (all other zones)
All 9 Sydney Water filtration plants tested as part of the June 2024 comprehensive PFAS survey. Metro Sydney supply confirmed within the updated June 2025 ADWG limits. No treatment action required for metro supply zones.

Queensland

Monitoring
RAAF Oakey and surrounding areas
PFAS contamination from AFFF use at RAAF Oakey (Darling Downs, QLD) identified from 2016. Affected groundwater in Oakey township area. Queensland Health has provided alternative water supply arrangements for affected households. Bore water users in the affected zone should not use for drinking without testing.
Clear
Brisbane / SEQ scheme supply
Seqwater (South East Queensland bulk water supplier) tests across all supply zones. SEQ scheme water meets ADWG PFAS guidelines. No elevated PFAS detected in scheme supply. Bore water in agricultural or industrial areas should always be independently tested.

Northern Territory

Monitoring
RAAF Tindal and Katherine area
PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at RAAF Tindal was identified from 2016. Groundwater contamination extended to some areas of Katherine township. Power and Water Corporation (NT) tested scheme water — scheme supply meets ADWG limits. Bore water users in the wider affected area should test before drinking.

South Australia

Monitoring
Edinburgh RAAF base and surrounding Salisbury / Edinburgh Parks area
PFAS contamination from AFFF use at RAAF Edinburgh identified. SA Water scheme supply in the area meets ADWG limits. Industrial and groundwater-reliant properties in the Edinburgh Parks / Salisbury North industrial corridor should test bore water independently.
Clear
Adelaide metro scheme supply
SA Water regularly tests Adelaide metro supply zones. All zones meet the updated June 2025 ADWG PFAS guidelines. Adelaide's Murray River source has historically low PFAS detection compared to groundwater-sourced supplies.

Western Australia

Monitoring
RAAF Pearce (Bullsbrook area)
PFAS testing conducted around RAAF Pearce. Some groundwater detections in the wider Bullsbrook area. Water Corporation scheme supply in Perth metro meets ADWG limits. Bore water users in rural areas north-east of Perth (particularly Bullsbrook) should test independently if using for drinking.
Clear
Perth metro scheme supply
Water Corporation tests Perth supply regularly. Perth scheme water meets ADWG PFAS guidelines. The primary water quality concerns for Perth households are hardness and chlorination — not PFAS.

Victoria

Clear
Melbourne metro scheme supply
All Melbourne metro utilities (YVW, SEW, GWW) test regularly. Melbourne scheme water meets ADWG PFAS guidelines. Melbourne's protected catchment source produces naturally very low levels of industrial contaminants.
Monitoring
RAAF East Sale (Gippsland)
PFAS contamination identified around RAAF East Sale. East Gippsland Water scheme supply meets ADWG limits. Private bore water users in the immediate RAAF East Sale vicinity should test independently.

What filter removes PFAS

Reverse osmosis (NSF 58 certified) removes 90–96% of PFAS and is the most practical household option for comprehensive PFAS reduction. An under-sink or countertop RO at the kitchen tap provides treated drinking and cooking water.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) provides partial PFAS reduction at sufficient contact time — this is why utilities like Sydney Water use GAC at scale. Household carbon block filters provide limited PFAS reduction compared to the large-volume GAC systems used at treatment plants.

Pitcher and basic carbon filters are not effective for PFAS removal at household scale.

📋

If you are on scheme water and your area is not in the above list, your utility's annual water quality report is the most detailed and current data available. All major Australian utilities now report PFAS results publicly. If you are on bore water near a known PFAS site, independent NATA-accredited lab testing is strongly recommended — costs $150–$400 for a PFAS panel.

How to check if your specific area is affected

⚠️

This guide reflects publicly available information as of April 2026. PFAS testing and remediation is ongoing nationally. Check your state utility's website and the Department of Defence investigation pages for the most current status in your area. New contamination sites continue to be identified.

FilterOut Summary
Most Australians on scheme water are not at elevated PFAS risk. Bore water users near defence bases should test.

All major Australian capital city scheme supplies meet the updated June 2025 ADWG PFAS limits. The Blue Mountains (Cascade zone) had elevated PFAS until GAC treatment was installed in December 2024 and now meets the updated limits.

If you are on bore water near a RAAF base or known industrial PFAS site, independent testing is the only way to know your exposure. If elevated PFAS is confirmed, NSF 58 certified RO at the kitchen tap is the most effective household treatment. See our full PFAS guide for the science behind the health guidelines.