Blue Mountains residents are speaking out against what they perceive as a delayed response to addressing a significant public health issue regarding PFAS contamination in their drinking water supply. The government is taking steps to install a multi-million-dollar filtration system to remove the harmful chemicals but is facing criticism for the timing of this implementation. Sydney Water has been conducting tests across its network to identify outlets contaminated with PFAS, which are known for their potential health risks, including cancer.
Recent findings revealed traces of PFAS, specifically PFOS and PFHxS, above safe levels in the untreated water supplied to thousands of households in the Blue Mountains area. In response to these concerning results, the Cascade Water Filtration Plant is undergoing upgrades to incorporate a $3.5 million advanced mobile PFAS treatment system aimed at significantly reducing PFAS levels in the water. The delay in implementing this system has led to frustration among residents, with concerns raised about the prolonged exposure to these harmful chemicals in their drinking water for over three decades.
Jon Dee, founder of the Blue Mountains Stop PFAS Action Group, has emphasized the importance of community blood testing to gauge the extent of PFAS exposure and its potential health impacts. Independent tests conducted by the group have pinpointed a petrol tank crash in 1992 as the main source of PFAS contamination, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation into the duration and intensity of exposure. Despite calls for community blood testing, requests to the NSW Health have reportedly gone unanswered, further intensifying concerns among residents about the lack of transparency and accountability in addressing this environmental issue.
The government's commitment to plant upgrades and adherence to proposed drinking water guidelines by the National Health and Medical Research Council demonstrate efforts to mitigate elevated PFAS levels in the long term. However, residents remain critical of the authorities' handling of the situation, particularly in initiating water quality testing only after media scrutiny. The ongoing investigation into the PFAS sources, such as firefighting foam from car crashes and local fire stations, underscores the complexity of identifying and addressing these persistent chemicals that pose serious health and environmental risks.