--- title: Chemicals from cleaning products ending up in our waterways description: "Australian company eWater Systems has been named an honouree on the Best for the World: Environment list for its work to reduce the volume of chemicals that end up down the drain." --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - 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Between 80,000 and 140,000 chemical contaminants from cleaning products can be found in our wastewater, and their impact on the environment and human health is a concern. eWater Systems produces hygiene systems for installation in hospitals, daycare centres, schools, restaurants and food production facilities. The systems use tap water, salt and electricity to create what is known as ‘eWater’, which can be used instead of [chemical cleaning products](https://www.awa.asn.au/ItemDetail?iProductCode=OZW_10_P182&Category=CONFPAP&WebsiteKey=9dc929a7-973a-452a-8ebd-7ac0870e5ba9). Phil Gregory, the company’s founder, said eWater performs as well if not better than traditional cleaning and sanitising methods, and is safer for the environment. “We know about the dangers of chemical exposure, unnecessary carbon use and wasteful plastics,” Gregory said. “And the fact is that the damage we are causing is largely unnecessary. Safe technology is available.” Gregory said eWater Systems has installed products in the Royal Children’s Hospital, Victorian Cancer Care Centre and Parliament House in Canberra. The Melbourne-based company has also been named a finalist in the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards. Gregory said that although the company is committed to reducing the volume of hazardous compounds making their way into the environment, Australia is at risk of falling behind other countries in this regard. “We can envisage a time when there is a major shift away from outdated and dangerous packaged chemicals to safer, more cost effective and sustainable alternatives such as electrolysed water.” [ Innovation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/innovation) [ Pollution ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/pollution) [ Chemicals ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/chemicals) [ Waterways ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/waterways) [ eWater Systems ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/ewater-systems) [ Contamination ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/contamination) [ Sustainability ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/sustainability) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Chemicals%20from%20cleaning%20products%20ending%20up%20in%20our%20waterways&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/chemicals-from-cleaning-products-ending-up-in-our-waterways) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/chemicals-from-cleaning-products-ending-up-in-our-waterways) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/chemicals-from-cleaning-products-ending-up-in-our-waterways) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/chemicals-from-cleaning-products-ending-up-in-our-waterways) ## RELATED NEWS [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Progressing-Reconciliation-through-Indigenous-Partnerships-within-Australian-Water-Utilities.jpg?width=352&name=Progressing-Reconciliation-through-Indigenous-Partnerships-within-Australian-Water-Utilities.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/world-health-day-closing-the-gap-on-access-to-safe-drinking-water) ### [ World Health Day: closing the gap on access to safe drinking water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/world-health-day-closing-the-gap-on-access-to-safe-drinking-water) Water Source This year’s World Health Day (7 April) theme was ‘my health, my right’, championing the right of everyone, everywhere to have… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/world-health-day-closing-the-gap-on-access-to-safe-drinking-water) ### [ New water analysis partnership a boon for global service provision ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/partnerships/new-water-analysis-partnership-a-boon-for-global-service-provision) Water Source Environmental solutions service provider Veolia has announced a three-year partnership with water analysis company Hach, with the… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/partnerships/new-water-analysis-partnership-a-boon-for-global-service-provision) [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/norway-4970080_1280.jpg?width=352&name=norway-4970080_1280.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/global-study-highlights-critical-challenges-facing-lake-ecosystems-worldwide) ### [ Global study highlights critical challenges facing lake ecosystems worldwide ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/global-study-highlights-critical-challenges-facing-lake-ecosystems-worldwide) Water Source Lakes are considered the lifeblood of numerous ecosystems worldwide and one recent study has underscored the urgent need for… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/global-study-highlights-critical-challenges-facing-lake-ecosystems-worldwide) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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