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An advocate has called for Australia to reassess guidelines for forever chemicals after high levels, thought to cause cancer, have been found in some catchments of Brisbane's drinking water over the last two years.
South East Queensland Water (SEQ Water) have moved to reassure the public that the water is safe to drink and meets Australian guidelines, which differ from international standards.
The forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), are synthetic substances found in many different products including pesticides and firefighting foam.
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PFOA in high concentrations can cause cancer, according to the World Health Organisation.
"What you've been drinking in Brisbane is seven times higher than what is considered legally safe in America," former NSW Australian of the Year and Stop PFAS Action Group founder Jon Dee told 9News.
In Australia, current guidelines allow 560 parts per trillion of PFOA in drinking water, while in the US the Environmental Protection Agency recommends less than four.
Last year testing by SEQ water at Mt Crosby Westbank, which produces the majority of Brisbane's drinking water, detected PFOA levels of 36 parts per trillion and this year it was 23.
"The most important thing is that the water is safe to drink and we comply fully with the Australian drinking water guidelines," SEQ Water general manager Matt McCahon told 9News.
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"We are required to comply with the Australian drinking water guidelines, not the US drinking guidelines."
Guidelines for PFOA in drinking water are currently being revised in Australia and limits are expected to be reduced to 200 parts per trillion next year, which is still 50 times higher than the US.
"We need to start matching the safety levels of America if we're serious about protecting people from these chemicals in drinking water," Dee said.
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