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Sarah Bailey MSc PGDip Med Myc
Principal Consultant

On 25 June 2025, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released its long‑anticipated updates to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). These changes are significant, affecting not only how we assess water quality, but also how we manage risk, safeguard health, and enhance sustainability in the built environment.

Read the NHMRC announcement

What’s new?

  • PFAS chemistries the so‑called "forever chemicals" now have much stricter health-based guideline values:
     
    • PFOS: lowered from 70 ng/L to 8 ng/L (note: the draft had proposed 4 ng/L, but the final figure was adjusted following further review)
    • PFOA: set at 200 ng/L
    • PFHxS: 30 ng/L
    • PFBS: newly introduced at 1000 ng/L
       Source
       
  • Beyond PFAS: The guidelines also feature updated guidance on lead, manganese, and plumbing product leachates (e.g. bismuth, silicon, selenium, copper alloys), including new fact sheets for many of these constituents. These updates reflect new scientific evidence and risk assessment frameworks.
     Supporting documents
     

What this means for QED’s clients

  • It is proactive risk management: The revised framework elevates water safety expectations while supporting a focus on long-term monitoring and mitigation, not just meeting minimum thresholds.
     
  • It supports holistic health protection: Most supplies currently fall below new PFAS thresholds, but the lower limits reflect a stronger focus on lifetime exposure and community reassurance.
     
  • It is a chance to show technical leadership: QED is well positioned to assist utilities, regulators and asset managers in implementing, validating, and communicating these changes.
     

What’s next?

  • States and territories are now responsible for implementation timelines, which may vary.
     
  • Water utilities should update testing schedules, particularly for PFAS and plumbing-related metals. Detections above the new guideline values are not compliance failures, but flags for action and engagement.
     
  • QED can assist with auditing, control-point reviews, and advisory work to help organisations interpret and respond to these updates effectively.
     

In Summary

As these updated guidelines come into force, being ahead of the curve isn’t just about compliance – it’s about building trust through science, transparency and resilience. At QED, we’re ready to help public and private sector clients understand what this means for their assets, systems and communities.