A family affected by contamination from the toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS is calling for the federal government to go even further than its bombshell $2 billion lawsuit against the manufacturer.
The Commonwealth launched legal proceedings yesterday against US chemical giant 3M, the manufacturer of firefighting foams containing the "forever chemicals".
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland claimed 3M withheld information and misrepresented the effects of the substance, calling the legal claim the largest ever brought by the federal government.
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Concerned families in Perth's northern suburb of Bullsbrook, where the water was contaminated for years, say the health impacts will be felt for generations to come.
Colin Butland, a local face behind the fight, is proud of yesterday's developments but wants more done to ensure the benefits of any lawsuit flow back to affected communities.
The simple act of pouring clean water for his family from a tap is an everyday reminder of the fight for justice Butland's already undertaken.
"It's been a lot of pressure on us, this has been a decade of our lives," he told 9News.
In 2013 the Butlands moved into their Bullsbrook home and three years later the family were told their drinking water was contaminated with PFAS, a chemical that's been linked to cancer and liver damage.
Hundreds of other residents are also affected.
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The toxic chemical, previously used in firefighting foam at 28 Australian defence bases including Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney's southwest, Richmond RAF base, as well as sites in Newcastle, Nowra, Singleton and Wagga, was produced by US-based company 3M.
"People have been drinking this water for decades," Butland said.
"Just ask 3M. They stopped testing this chemical on monkeys because it was killing them."
Rowland claimed the company withheld its own environmental laboratory testing showing significant adverse environmental effects associated with the use of the foam.
3M said in a statement it would defend itself against the claims in court.
"3M has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago," the statement said.
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"Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer."
Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil said defence had spent $1.3 billion responding to the PFAS contamination, including $408 million in legal settlements with communities surrounding affected bases, five litigated class actions, four litigated claims and 342 non-litigated claims.
"This is the most significant legal action undertaken by Commonwealth and Defence in living memory," Khalil said.
"To put it plainly, we are taking on 3M on behalf of the Australian people and the Australians that are affected."
But Butland believes the fight needs to go further, claiming the health effects will be felt forever.
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"We've got a real problem in Australia and our future generation could be very unwell from this," he said.
Drinking tap water with peace of mind is relatively new for Bullsbrook residents, with a scheme water system finally installed in March.
Affected residents Australia-wide won a class action against 3M in 2023.
While $130 million was paid out, the forever chemical has left its mark, with confidence in properties still an issue today.
