New Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2026

Free Government Resources for All Households

Australia updated its drinking water guidelines in 2026 to reflect new scientific evidence on contaminants such as PFAS, metals, microbes, and emerging chemicals.

Whether you’re on town water, tank water, or bore water, the only way to know what’s in your water is through testing.

What Are the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines?

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) are developed by the NHMRC and set health-based reference limits for contaminants in drinking water.

They cover:

• Microbiological risks (E. coli, pathogens)

• Chemical risks (PFAS, metals, nitrates)

• Aesthetic factors (taste, colour, odour)

Important: The guidelines do not guarantee compliance at the household tap.

What Changed in the 2026 Update?

The 2026 update placed stronger emphasis on:

• PFAS (forever chemicals)

• Cumulative exposure risk

• Vulnerable populations (infants, pregnant people)

This reflects growing evidence that low-level, long-term exposure matters.

Devil’s advocate: This doesn’t mean Australia’s water is suddenly “unsafe.” It means we’re measuring more accurately and asking better questions.

Free Government Resources:

Below are the go-to resources for drinking water guidelines in Australia:

• Australian Government Developed NHRMC Drinking Water Guidelines 2026
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Water Wise Queensland Rainwater Tank Fact Sheet
• Farm Dam Handbook NSW 
• Water Quality Australia: Introduction to water quality
• World Health Organisation Drinking Water Quality Guidelines

When Home Water Testing Makes Sense:

You should consider water testing at home if:

• You use tank or bore water and have never had your source tested

• You live near airports, fire-training sites, landfills, or industrial zones

• You live in a home built before 1990 and suspect lead contamination

• Your have private water supply on a commercial property (testing should be undertaken every 6 months and align with a safe water management plan)
  

Bottom Line:

Guidelines are there to protect all Australians and ensure everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water. The only way to know for sure if your water meets or exceeds the safe levels in the guideline is to test it.

If you want to know whether your water meets the 2026 standards, get in touch support@mywaterscore.com.au or book a test here.