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Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).
Australia’s drinking water is known to be some of the safest in the world, so the discovery of pathogens in water flowing from our taps is always a nasty shock. That was certainly the case when the news hit that scientists had detected Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba, in water supplies out west of Brisbane.
Unsurprisingly, Queensland residents have expressed concern about a parasite in their water – especially one with zombie tendencies! So let’s delve deeper into the world of these chilling life forms and explore options to keep your family safe.
What’s news? Naegleria fowleri, that’s what!
Earlier in 2025, residents of Charleville and Augathella were oblivious to the danger lurking in their taps. That is, until tests showed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in their drinking water supply.
The Murweh Shire Council has issued a Public Health Notice and is currently undertaking more water testing to discover how far the problem extends. They would also like to identify the source and are planning on working with experts to get a better understanding of the problem.
What are brain-eating amoebas?
Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba (a single-celled organism) that can live in warm, fresh water in temperatures of between 25°C and 40°C. This means the naturally occurring organism can be present in creeks, rivers, lakes, small dams and hot springs in warmer northern regions of Australia.
When water contaminated with these organisms enters a person’s nose, the amoeba passes through the nasal epithelium, making its way to the brain via the olfactory nerve. Once in the brain, it causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a condition where the brain swells and brain tissue is destroyed.
Infection is very rare, but when it does occur, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is usually fatal.
Is the water safe to drink?
So, what’s the good news? Naegleria fowleri poses a very low risk to most Queenslanders. The only way for a person to become infected is if contaminated water goes up their nose and reaches the brain.
The organism cannot survive in the digestive system, so it’s safe for residents in affected areas to keep drinking the water.
Recommended precautions include making sure water doesn’t splash into the nose during showers and baths, and avoiding putting your head underwater in swimming pools that aren’t properly chlorine-treated. Keep an eye on kids when they’re bathing, or using hoses, sprinklers, and water bubblers. Let them know not to squirt water up their nose.
Water filter systems for removing amoeba
The best way to ensure your family’s water supply is as safe as possible is to install a water filter system. When you choose the right system, it targets likely or possible contaminants, giving you peace of mind that you’re drinking the best quality water possible.
The first step is to realise that not all systems are created equal. They vary based on the type of filtration or treatment used, and some can even provide a variety of layers that remove different contaminants as the water passes through.
Types of water filtration system
To ensure that filtration products do the job they say they’ll do, look for products that adhere to the voluntary national standards and NSF protocols that apply.
NSF/ANSI 42 – Improves the taste and smell of water by removing chemicals such as chlorine.
NSF/ANSI 53 – Reduces water contaminants that can negatively impact health.
NSF/ANSI 55 – UV light treatment.
NSF/ANSI 58 – Reverse osmosis systems. These are effective at reducing known dangerous contaminants and are often fitted with additional filters.
NSF/ANSI 244 – Installed on water systems that are considered safe, to provide an additional layer of protection in the case of unexpected contamination.
NSF/ANSI 401 – Targets one or more of 15 unregulated contaminants that have been identified as an emerging threat.
Which water filter system for brain-eating amoeba?
The most effective water filtration systems for reducing the risk of amoeba, such as Naegleria fowleri, are reverse osmosis systems (NSF/ANSI 58). This is because the organism is so tiny that it just slips through most water filters.
In addition, UV light treatment systems can also damage the cells of microbiological pathogens in water.
Chlorine can also be used to treat water, making it safe for use. For this to work, however, you need to maintain a high chlorine level at all times, as some stages of the amoeba’s lifecycle are resistant to chlorine. They can persist in water until chlorine levels drop, and then develop into the harmful phase.
Protect your health. Install a water filter system
The best way to ensure you’re using the safest possible water is to install a suitable water filtration system in your home.
Need help understanding your risks and choosing the right system? The Salmon Plumbing team are here to help!
