Dr Sarah Chen
Lead Water Quality Analyst
Dr Sarah Chen is an environmental scientist specialising in drinking water quality and public health. With a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Melbourne and over 10 years of experience in water treatment research, she brings deep technical knowledge to WaterScore's data analysis and editorial content.
Credentials
- ✓ PhD Environmental Engineering, University of Melbourne
- ✓ Member, Australian Water Association (AWA)
- ✓ Former Research Fellow, CSIRO Land and Water
Areas of Expertise
Dr Sarah Chen has spent her career making water quality data accessible to everyday Australians. After completing her PhD at the University of Melbourne, she spent five years as a Research Fellow at CSIRO Land and Water, where she contributed to studies on emerging contaminants including PFAS in Australian water supplies.
Sarah joined WaterScore to bridge the gap between technical water quality reports and the information consumers actually need. She leads our data analysis pipeline and ensures all scoring methodologies align with the latest ADWG guidelines.
When she’s not analysing water data, Sarah volunteers with Engineers Without Borders and enjoys hiking in the Grampians.
Articles by Dr Sarah Chen
Does Boiling Water Remove Chlorine, Fluoride and Other Contaminants?
Does boiling water remove chlorine, fluoride, lead or PFAS? An Australian guide with what boiling does, what it doesn't, and what actually works.
Fluoride in Australian Tap Water
How much fluoride is in Australian tap water? We compare fluoride levels across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin with ADWG guidelines.
How to Read Your Water Utility Report: A Practical Guide for Australians
Learn how to read and interpret your water utility's annual drinking water quality report. Understand key parameters like pH, hardness, chlorine, and fluoride, and what ADWG compliance really means.
Understanding ADWG Guidelines: What Every Australian Should Know
A plain-English guide to the ADWG guidelines that govern Australian tap water quality. Learn how health and aesthetic standards protect you, what the key limits are, and how to check your suburb's results.