Sydney Water has been accused of misleading the public over the presence of toxic 'forever chemicals' in the city's drinking water supply. Internal documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that the utility knew about elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in certain catchments but failed to inform residents or regulators in a timely manner.
The documents show that Sydney Water detected PFAS concentrations above the national health guideline in water from the Warragamba Dam catchment as early as 2018. However, the utility did not report the findings to the NSW Environment Protection Authority until 2020 and continued to assure the public that the water was safe.
PFAS chemicals, used in firefighting foams and industrial processes, are linked to various health issues including cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive problems. They are known as 'forever chemicals' because they persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body.
In a statement, Sydney Water defended its actions, saying it followed appropriate protocols and that the levels detected did not pose an immediate health risk. However, critics argue that the delay in disclosure violated public trust and potentially exposed communities to long-term harm.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority has launched an investigation into the matter, while local residents express anger and concern over the lack of transparency. 'We trusted them to keep our water safe, and they let us down,' said one resident from the affected area.
