Drinking water quality compromised by Mining

Five of the six top scientists in charge of monitoring the health of Sydney's water have had their positions axed as part of state government cuts experts warn will compromise the safety of drinking water. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/major-losses-at-sydney-catchment-authority-prompt-safety-fears-20160221-gmzh94.html On Friday the federal government released new safe drinking water standards for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid 78 times higher than those set by the United States only last month. The Australian government is relying on science from 2008 rather than today, we are learning more and more about these compounds and they are much more toxic than we thought yesterday. Questions are being raised about the motivation behind the decision. Every decision being made by the Government confirms the community’s sense that their interests are being put last – particularly their health. Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, a senior adviser to the independent National Toxics Network, said she was “shocked” by the decision. http:// stopforeignownershipinaustralia.com.au/2016/06/24/government-shocks-experts-by-watering-down-safe-drinking-water-standards/