Sydney prides itself on having safe drinking water. It is derived from natural sources, filtered and monitored for harmful contaminants such as certain pesticides and microbes, including cryptosporidium.
All water regulators strictly adhere to guidelines laid down by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Sydney water carries out a number of tests to ensure it meets drinking water guidelines.
Recent news about potentially unsafe chemicals in drinking water around Australia has sparked interest.Some individuals may also have concerns regarding chlorine, fluoride and other contaminants in tap water.
Recent news about chemicals in drinking water
- An investigation in a popular newspaper recently reported that Australian drinking water has been found to contain potentially unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals which are human-made. Researchers suggest these may enter the water system through many sources such as fire-fighting foams.
- This is a topical subject since the US Environmental Protection Agency has recently set limits for these chemicals which are lower than Australia’s current standards.
- Exposure to these chemicals may also come from everyday items used such as non-stick cookware, paints and cosmetics.
- Research into the health effects of these chemicals is still emerging and it may depend on how much an individual is exposed to.
- Experts explain that removing these chemicals from water systems may be challenging, especially for smaller regional towns.
- This is an emerging area so we’ll need to watch this space to see if Australia introduces new guidelines.
Chlorine and Fluoride
- Chlorine is added to the water as a natural disinfectant—helping to remove microorganisms that may cause disease. The chemicals used for adding chlorine are reduced to very low levels before they exit the treatment plant.
- Fluoride has been added to Sydney water since the 60s to help prevent dental caries. Research has shown that that water fluoridation has reduced tooth decay in many communities by 26-44%. Some communities or groups worldwide argue that flouride is better delivered as a topical treatment on teeth, rather than ingested through drinking water however this may not be affordable for all individuals.
Sydney water continually measures the quality of their water and then provides a water quality report which is available online. Some individuals may wish to filter their water to improve the taste or due to their own personal preferences or for further health reasons.
Water filters and filtration methods
There are a number of filtration methods and therefore types of filters available.
Activated Carbon filters
Activated Carbon is a highly porous material that helps it absorb contaminants. It is popular for it’s ability to remove compounds that affect the taste and odour of the water. It may also help to remove a portion of PFAS chemicals.
Ceramic filters
These are usually cheaper, long-lasting and portable. The type of filter may vary; research suggests that they mostly remove microbes such as bacteria but may not be useful in removing smaller particles.
Reverse osmosis
Involves using pressure to pass water through a thin membrane and therefore is largely effective in removing both bacteria and smaller particles such as chlorine, flouride and most PFAs.
Keep in mind these units are usually expensive to buy, install and maintain as they may need to be plumbed in and they use a considerable amount of diverted water and energy. It may also remove important minerals so it’s worth looking into a remineralisation component.
Other methods of water filtration include ionization, distilation or UltraViolet (UV) treatment.
When considering purchasing a water filter, it’s best to check with your healthcare professional to see if it’s right for your needs. Australia also has specific standards for the performance of water filters so ask for the certifications and read the specific details about each filter as models may vary.
References
- NSW Health, 2022. Drinking Water and Public Health. Accessed June 2024. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/drinking-water-and-public-health.aspx
- Brown, J., & Sobsey, M. D. (2009). Microbiological effectiveness of locally produced ceramic filters for drinking water treatment in Cambodia. Journal of Water and Health, 8(1), 1–10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20009242/
- LeBaron, T. W., Sharpe, R., & Ohno, K. (2022). Electrolyzed–Reduced Water: Review II: Safety Concerns and Effectiveness as a Source of Hydrogen Water. 23(23), 14508–14508. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9736533/
- Wee, S.Y., Aris, A.Z. (2023). Revisiting the “forever chemicals”, PFOA and PFOS exposure in drinking water. npj Clean Water 6, 57. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41545-023-00274-6
- Chaukura et al. (2023). Low-cost ceramic filtration for point-of-use water treatment in low-income countries, Water Security, Volume 20, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468312423000135
- Standards Australia, 2021. Simplifying performance standards for Australian drinking water treatment systems. Accessed June 2024. https://www.standards.org.au/news/simplifying-performance-standards-for-australian-drinking-water-treatment-systems
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2018. Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water with Treatment Technologies. Accessed June 2024. https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/reducing-pfas-drinking-water-treatment-technologies
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