A hidden danger may be flowing through Australian homes every single day – and most people have no idea what’s in it.
New independent research commissioned by Complete Home Filtration found nearly two-thirds of Aussies have never checked their household water, even as 7 in 10 say they’re worried about PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals” linked to serious contamination scares across the country.
That fear is hitting hardest in parts of the country already under the spotlight for poor drinking water.
WaterScore’s 10 lowest-scoring suburbs are Tea Tree in Tasmania; Williamsdale, Flynn, Taylor and Mount Stromlo in the ACT; Padthaway, Melrose, Wild Dog Valley and Wilkawatt in South Australia; and Manley West in Queensland.
The new research also found concern is surging at a state level.
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Families are scrubbing their fruit, reading every ingredient label and ditching chemicals where they can – but a far murkier threat may already be pouring from the kitchen tap
Western Australians are the most worried about PFAS in their home water at 75 per cent, followed by South Australians and NSW residents on 74 per cent.
Queenslanders are the most likely to say they don’t feel in control of what’s coming through their taps, at 62 per cent, with Victorians close behind on 61 per cent.
Overall, 57 per cent of Australians said they don’t feel they have control over what is flowing through their taps, while 42 per cent said they are more concerned about potentially harmful substances in their household water than they were five years ago.
Source: Complete Home Filtration
Despite Australians becoming more careful about what they put into and onto their bodies, 62 per cent have never checked what is in the water entering their home.
More than a third, 37 per cent, also believe boiling is the best way to treat household water, despite boiling not removing PFAS.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in products including non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams.
They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down and can remain in soil and water for years.
Top 10 lowest-scoring suburbs in Australia. Source: WaterScore
Pediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher said families were becoming more conscious of the chemicals they encounter every day.
“Understanding what we put into our bodies and the chemicals we encounter every day is an
important issue for Australian families,” she said.
“From ingredients in food and skincare to household products, microplastics and PFAS, there is a lot for families to navigate.
“Research is helping us understand the potential combined effects of exposure to certain chemicals, highlighting why we need to consider exposure across food, water and our wider environment.”
Complete Home Filtration has launched WaterWall, a filtration system designed to reduce PFAS, chlorine, heavy metals and other specified contaminants before water is distributed throughout the home.
The research comes as Complete Home Filtration launches WaterWall, a whole-home filtration system developed with funding support from the Defence Science Centre.
Installed where water enters the property, the system is designed to reduce PFAS, chlorine, heavy metals and other specified contaminants before water is distributed throughout the home.
Top 10 best water quality suburbs in Australia. Source: WaterScore
According to the company, independent testing found WaterWall achieved 99.95 per cent total PFAS reduction, which it says is the highest level achieved by a whole-home system in Australia.
Complete Home Filtration founder Suzanne Dodds said water quality can vary dramatically by postcode, driving households to seek more choice and confidence over what comes out of their taps.
WaterWall is available now from $6,999 fully installed.