Water Quality in Australia
Every capital city, covered. Lab-verified data on what's really in your tap water — from chlorine and hardness to PFAS and microplastics.
8 capital cities
All states & territories
Official authority data
2026 verified
Quick comparison
Key water quality metrics at a glance. Click any city for the full breakdown.
City
Authority
Disinfection
Hardness
PFAS
Sydney
Sydney Water
Chloramine
Detected
→
Melbourne
Melbourne Water
Chlorine
Trace
→
Brisbane
Urban Utilities
Chloramine
Detected
→
Perth
Water Corporation
Chlorine
Low
→
Adelaide
SA Water
Chloramine
Not detected
→
Canberra
Icon Water
Chlorine
Not detected
→
Darwin
Power & Water
Chlorine
Environmental
→
Hobart
TasWater
Chlorine + UV
Not detected
→
Explore by city
Detailed water quality guides for every Australian capital.
Sydney
New South Wales
10 dams feeding one of Australia's most complex water networks. Chloramine-treated with trace PFAS and microplastics detected.
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Melbourne
Victoria
Protected mountain catchments deliver some of the purest tap water in the world. Minimal treatment needed.
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Brisbane
Queensland
Three treatment plants serving 1.5M people. Chloramine-disinfected with moderate hardness and PFAS from QLD contamination sites.
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Perth
Western Australia
Australia's hardest water — 40% desalinated, 10% recycled groundwater. Scale buildup is a common household complaint.
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Adelaide
South Australia
River Murray-fed with desalination backup. Moderate hardness, chloramine-treated, with no PFAS detected in drinking supply.
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Canberra
Australian Capital Territory
Some of Australia's softest, cleanest tap water. Mountain catchments, chlorine-only, and no PFAS detected.
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Darwin
Northern Territory
Tropical water supply with seasonal quality changes between wet and dry. PFAS contamination near RAAF Base, not in drinking water.
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Hobart
Tasmania
Award-winning taste. Softest water in Australia from pristine mountain sources. Aging pipes can cause occasional discolouration.
Read guide →
What's in your water?
Deep dives into specific contaminants and concerns.