Are PFAS in tap water?
Quick answer: Yes, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be present in Australian tap water, particularly in areas near industrial sites, airports, or defence facilities where these chemicals have historically been used. Australian authorities have set health-based guideline values for several PFAS compounds in drinking water. Most reticulated supplies are monitored, but if you are concerned about your local water, checking with your water authority is the best first step.
What are PFAS and why do they matter in drinking water?
PFAS are a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for decades, including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware coatings, and water-resistant fabrics. They are sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment and can accumulate over time.
Because PFAS are so persistent, they can move through soil into groundwater and surface water, and from there into drinking water supplies. Contamination tends to be higher near sites where PFAS-containing firefighting foam (AFFF) was used, such as military bases, airports, and some industrial facilities.
As NHMRC notes, from 2023 to 2025 it reviewed guidance on PFAS in drinking water as part of an update to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. That review resulted in new and revised health-based guideline values for several PFAS compounds to reduce health risks from exposure in Australian drinking water.
Which PFAS are regulated in Australian drinking water?
Australia now has individual health-based guideline values for four key PFAS compounds. These values represent the concentration below which water is considered safe for lifetime consumption, according to NHMRC.
The current guideline values, as stated by NHMRC, are:
- PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid): 200 ng/L
- PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid): 8 ng/L
- PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid): 30 ng/L
- PFBS (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid): 1,000 ng/L
These values were incorporated into the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines following the June 2025 PFAS review. The guidelines now include a dedicated Chemical Fact Sheet for PFAS health-based guideline values, as noted by NHMRC.
How have the guidelines changed?
Australia's PFAS guidance has been updated significantly. NHMRC notes that in August 2018, health-based guideline values were first published for three PFAS (PFOS combined with PFHxS, and PFOA) in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. At that time, the combined PFOS and PFHxS value was 70 ng/L, which was a previous interim figure and has since been superseded by the separate current values for each compound listed above.
The 2023 to 2025 review resulted in separate, individual guideline values for PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and a new value for PFBS, replacing the earlier combined approach.
Where is PFAS contamination most likely in Australia?
PFAS contamination in drinking water is not uniform across Australia. The risk is generally higher in areas near:
- Military bases and defence facilities where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used in training exercises
- Civilian airports and fire training areas
- Some industrial manufacturing sites
- Landfill sites that accepted PFAS-containing waste
Most large reticulated water supplies in Australian cities and towns are monitored by state and territory water authorities. If you live near a known contamination site or rely on tank water, bore water, or a private supply, it is worth contacting your local water authority or state environmental agency for testing information specific to your area.
How to choose a water filter if PFAS is a concern
If PFAS in your tap water is a concern, here are some practical considerations before choosing a filter:
- Check your local water report first. Contact your state or territory water authority to find out whether PFAS has been detected in your supply and at what levels.
- Understand what the filter does not cover. No single filter addresses every contaminant. Read the product specifications to understand the scope of what is and is not reduced.
- If you use tank or bore water, professional water testing before selecting a filter is strongly recommended, as contaminant profiles vary widely.
Evolved H2O filtration options for tap water
If you are looking to filter your everyday tap water, the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter is a compact tap-mounted filter that instantly removes chlorine, taste and odours, and targets PFAS, heavy metals and microplastics.
The Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter targets PFAS, heavy metals, microplastics and chlorine, and reduces over 150 common tap-water contaminants.
If fluoride reduction is also a priority for your household, the Evolved H2O HydroX Electric Water Filter reduces up to 98% of fluoride. Actual reduction depends on your water conditions and how the filter is used.
Which Evolved H2O Filter Is Right for You?
Different areas of the home need different types of filtration. Use this quick guide to match the right Evolved H2O option to the water problem you are trying to solve.
-
For tap drinking water
Advanced Tap Filter
Choose this if you want a compact tap filter for everyday drinking and cooking water, without changing your full plumbing setup.
View the Advanced Tap Filter -
For shower water
Advanced Shower Filter
Choose this if your main concern is chlorine taste and odour in warm shower water, or you want a simple inline filter between your shower arm and showerhead.
View the Advanced Shower Filter -
For bath water
Advanced Bath Filter
Choose this if your focus is bath water for babies, kids, or sensitive skin routines, and you want a simple option designed for bath use.
View the Advanced Bath Filter -
For fluoride-focused filtration
HydroX Electric Water Filter
Choose this if fluoride reduction is a priority. HydroX is the Evolved H2O option designed for more advanced countertop drinking-water filtration.
View the HydroX Electric Water Filter -
For everyday filtered water
Glass Water Filter Jug
Choose this if you want a glass water filter jug for everyday drinking water, with a plastic-free jug design and simple refill cartridge setup.
View the Glass Water Filter Jug
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PFAS found in all Australian tap water?
Not necessarily. PFAS contamination in tap water tends to be localised, particularly near defence bases, airports, and industrial sites where PFAS-containing firefighting foam was used. Most large reticulated supplies are monitored. Contact your state or territory water authority to find out whether PFAS has been detected in your specific supply.
What are the current Australian guideline values for PFAS in drinking water?
According to NHMRC, the current health-based guideline values are: PFOA at 200 ng/L, PFOS at 8 ng/L, PFHxS at 30 ng/L, and PFBS at 1,000 ng/L. These were updated following the 2023 to 2025 PFAS review and incorporated into the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Does the Evolved H2O Tap Filter reduce PFAS?
Should I get my tap water tested for PFAS?
If you live near a known contamination site, rely on tank water, bore water, or a private supply, or have concerns about your local water quality, professional water testing is a sensible step. Contact your state or territory water authority or environmental agency for guidance on testing options in your area.
What is the difference between PFOS and PFOA?
Both are types of PFAS, but they are distinct compounds with different chemical structures and different health-based guideline values. As stated by NHMRC, PFOS has a guideline value of 8 ng/L and PFOA has a guideline value of 200 ng/L in Australian drinking water. Each compound is now assessed individually under the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Are water filters a substitute for checking my water authority's reports?
No. A water filter is not a substitute for understanding what is actually in your water supply. Checking your local water authority's annual water quality report and contacting them directly if you have concerns is the recommended first step. A filter should complement, not replace, that knowledge.
Key takeaways
- PFAS can be present in Australian tap water, particularly near industrial, defence, or airport sites where PFAS-containing firefighting foam was historically used.
- Australia updated its PFAS drinking water guidelines following a 2023 to 2025 NHMRC review, with separate health-based guideline values now set for PFOA (200 ng/L), PFOS (8 ng/L), PFHxS (30 ng/L), and PFBS (1,000 ng/L).
- Most large reticulated supplies are monitored; if you rely on tank or bore water, or live near a known contamination site, professional testing is recommended.
- No Evolved H2O product currently carries an approved PFAS reduction claim. Check product specifications carefully if PFAS reduction is your primary concern.
- For everyday tap water filtration, the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter is designed to reduce chlorine, sediment, and associated taste and odour, depending on your water conditions.
Sources
- NHMRC Review of PFAS in Australian drinking water | NHMRC
- Questions and answers on review of PFAS in drinking water | NHMRC
- Australian Drinking Water Guidelines | NHMRC
