You've probably seen "forever chemicals" in the headlines. Here's what PFAS actually are, what the new Australian guidelines mean, and what you can do about them at home — without the scare tactics.
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of thousands of human-made chemicals used since the 1950s to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease and water — think non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams. They're nicknamed "forever chemicals" because the carbon-fluorine bonds that make them so useful also make them extremely slow to break down. Once PFAS enter soil and waterways, they persist — and because of their widespread use, almost every Australian will have some level of PFAS exposure in their lifetime.
Is PFAS in my tap water?
For most Australians, the honest answer is: at low levels, if at all. The majority of municipal drinking water supplies in Australia have no detectable PFAS or levels below current guidelines. But detections do occur — PFAS has been found in water supplies near firefighting training grounds, airports, defence sites and industrial areas, and monitoring by major water utilities has recorded low-level detections in some reticulated supplies. Contamination is local by nature: your exposure depends on your catchment, not the national average.
The rules just changed — significantly
In June 2025, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) finalised updated drinking water guidelines for PFAS after a comprehensive two-year review. The new health-based limits are:
- PFOS: 8 nanograms per litre — down from the previous combined guideline of 70 ng/L, a nearly tenfold tightening
- PFOA: 200 ng/L
- PFHxS: 30 ng/L (previously had no individual value)
- PFBS: 1,000 ng/L
Why the dramatic tightening? The review examined new evidence on potential health effects — including potential carcinogenicity for PFOA, bone marrow effects for PFOS, and thyroid effects for PFHxS and PFBS, based primarily on animal studies. Research in humans, including the Australian National University's PFAS Study, has associated PFAS exposure with mildly elevated cholesterol and effects on kidney function and some hormones — effects described as small, but enough for governments across Australia to advise minimising PFAS exposure where possible. It's also worth knowing that states and territories are still working through their timelines for adopting the new values, so water suppliers aren't yet required to meet them everywhere.
How do I find out what's in my water?
Start with your water utility's annual water quality report — most major utilities now publish PFAS monitoring results. If you live near a known contamination site, on tank or bore water, or you simply want certainty, independent water testing is available, and we stock water testing tools so you can check your water at home.
Can a water filter remove PFAS?
Yes — but not all filters are equal. Standard jug filters and basic carbon cartridges are not designed for PFAS. Effective PFAS reduction requires specific technology: high-grade activated carbon block, reverse osmosis, or electroadsorptive media engineered for PFAS compounds.
At Alkaline World, our Aquarius PFAS Removal Whole House Water Filter System uses certified Disruptor® filtration technology with tested reduction claims of greater than 98.9% for PFOA and greater than 99.0% for PFOS — treating water at the point it enters your home, so every tap, shower and appliance benefits. For homes wanting the complete solution, the Aquarius Ultimate Whole House Water Filtration System combines alkaline, fluoride and PFAS filtration in one system. You can explore the full range in our whole house water filter systems collection.
The bottom line
There's no cause for panic — most Australian tap water sits below even the new, much stricter limits. But the near-tenfold tightening of the PFOS guideline tells you where the science is heading: lower exposure is better, and regulators worldwide are moving the same direction. If you want to take PFAS off your worry list entirely, filtration built for the job is the most direct step you can take at home.
Questions about PFAS and your water? Talk to a real human water specialist on 03 9357 1777 — we'll give you straight answers for your specific situation.
