What are PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made (also known as synthetic) chemicals that make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water.
PFAS are a group of chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 70 years. From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will introduce a ban on their use after concerns that PFAS can accumulate in humans and in the environment.
About PFAS and your drinking water supply
A risk assessment undertaken by Westernport Water rated Candowie Reservoir (Westernport Water’s primary supply source) and its contributing waterways to be low risk, as there is no history of industrial or fire-fighting activities, which are typically the key factor leading to elevated levels of PFAS in waterways.
Additionally, Westernport Water commissioned testing to be carried out by an independent NATA-accredited laboratory (May 2024) and these tests were unable to detect any of the suite of PFAS chemicals or their precursors.
The water sector is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and secure drinking water to customers and communities. Water utilities in Australia are highly regulated, including for health and the environment.
Westernport Water acknowledges customer concerns and interest in PFAS. All water corporations are required to manage drinking water quality in accordance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The Guidelines set out key principles and practices underpinned by available scientific evidence to manage threats to drinking water safety.
Testing was not able to detect any PFAS chemicals or their precursors in the water, and ongoing testing will continue to ensure that we maintain safe drinking water for our customers.
Customers can be reassured that their drinking water is safe and compliant with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and current national best practice guidance.
Further details and helpful information on PFAS are available:
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and current national best practice guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS
What prompted independent testing?
Westernport Water utilises a risk-based approach when assessing the risk of emerging contaminants within drinking water.
A risk assessment found Candowie Reservoir and its contributing waterways to be low risk as there is no history of bush fires in the catchment, industrial activity or fire-fighting activities; therefore, levels in the local environment are low.
In light of more recent research and community concern, Westernport Water undertook an independent testing program for the suite of PFAS compounds and their precursors in May 2024. Results showed levels to be below detectable levels and confirmed compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Is commissioning of testing annual/regular/random?
Westernport Water apply a preventative risk-based approach to the management of drinking water quality. We routinely conduct a range of tests to ensure drinking water quality complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
The low-range testing that was completed showed below-detectable levels of PFAS in Candowie Reservoir. Ongoing testing will continue as part of our annual program to ensure Westernport Water provides safe drinking water to our customers.
Westernport Water’s testing program will be reviewed if there are changes to the drinking water regulations.
What else do you test for and what are the results?
The Victoria Department of Health requires Westernport Water to undertake routine testing of source and supplied (treated) water throughout the distribution network. Our water quality testing parameters and results are published in Westernport Water’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report: Water Quality – Westernport Water
Do you publish results?
Yes, our annual drinking water quality reports are available on our Water Quality webpage.
Have you had instances of non-compliance reported to the Department of Health in the last decade?
No public health and safety issues with PFAS have been identified, and the drinking water that Westernport Water has supplied to the community over the past ten years has been compliant with the regulatory requirements of the Victorian Department of Health.