Water authority reaffirms tap water safety amid rising usage of water filters

Australian water authorities are emphasizing that tap water is safe to drink without the need for boiling or filtration. Despite this, a recent survey indicates that more households are installing water filters than ever before.

How water travels from dam to your tap. Credit: AAP

Sydney Water reassures the public that filtering or boiling tap water is unnecessary, as it meets Australian drinking water standards and is safe for immediate consumption.

Data from Sydney Water highlights a growing trend in water filter usage, particularly within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

According to media lead Natalie Noordhuis, water filter use within the Punjabi community has increased by 27%, effectively doubling over the past five years.

Residents can check the purity of their household water via the Water Board’s website here.

Garima Sharma, Data and Information Specialist, Sydney Water. Credit: Supplied

Sydney Water's Data and Information statistician Garima Sharma told SBS Punjabi, “Tap water undergoes a rigorous purification process, meeting potable water standards comparable to some bottled water. Therefore, additional boiling or filtration is unnecessary.”

ਪਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਉਬਾਲਣ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਲਟਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਧ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। Credit: N Noordhuis

Despite these assurances, Noordhuis confirmed via email that water filter purchases in the Punjabi community have still doubled over the past five years.

Sydney Water has also implemented water recycling and desalination initiatives to address future water shortages.

Meanwhile, some mainstream media reports have raised concerns about the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water.

Listen to this SBS Punjabi podcast for Sydney Water’s response, as explained by Garima Sharma.

Click on the audio icon to listen to the full report and interview in Punjabi.

Find all our podcasts and stories that matter here at SBS Punjabi Podcast Collection.

For news, information and interviews in Punjabi from across Australia and homeland, you can tune in to SBS Punjabi live from Monday to Friday at 4pm on SBS South Asian on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the SBS Audio app or stream from our website. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.