Australia’s NHMRC Releases Updated 2011 Drinking Water Guidelines—PFAS Limits Lowered

On June 25, 2025, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia released version 4.0 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 2011. The updated edition lowers the guideline values for three types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)—and establishes a new value for perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Additionally, new guidelines have been added to manage health risks posed by metal leaching from plumbing products.