James Morrison
Environmental Health Writer
James Morrison is a science journalist and environmental health writer with a decade of experience covering water infrastructure, public health, and environmental policy across Australia. His work has appeared in The Guardian Australia, Crikey, and The Conversation.
Credentials
- ✓ Master of Journalism, University of Technology Sydney
- ✓ Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science, Griffith University
- ✓ Walkley Award finalist, Science Journalism (2023)
Areas of Expertise
James Morrison has been writing about Australian water and environmental health since 2015. With a Master of Journalism from UTS and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science from Griffith University, he combines rigorous reporting with genuine scientific understanding.
His investigative work on PFAS contamination in regional communities was shortlisted for a Walkley Award in 2023. At WaterScore, James translates complex water quality data into clear, actionable articles for Australian consumers.
James is based in Sydney and spends his weekends surfing at Maroubra or trying to keep his vegetable garden alive despite the local water hardness.
Articles by James Morrison
PFAS in Australian Tap Water: 2026 Results by City
PFAS in Australian tap water, checked city by city: the latest utility results against the 2025 limits, the towns that went over, and who publishes nothing.
Can You Drink Tap Water in Australia? (2026 City Data)
Can you drink tap water in Australia? Yes, in every capital city. See measured hardness, chlorine and fluoride by city, plus where remote towns differ.
Does Australian Water Cause Hair Loss? City Data (2026)
Does Australian water cause hair loss? City data shows Melbourne and Sydney water is soft, and hard water studies used water four times harder than Perth's.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Cairns? (2026)
Is tap water safe to drink in Cairns? Yes. The city supply passed 100% of its 2,096 E. coli tests in 2024-25. See fluoride, wet season restrictions and filters.
Can Babies Drink Tap Water in Australia?
Can babies drink tap water in Australia? We check nitrate and fluoride levels across every state using real utility data, and explain what's safe by age.
Water Quality Issues in NSW: What the Data Shows
Water quality issues in NSW span PFAS in Blue Mountains tap water to high-sodium bore water out west. We break down the real data, the risks, and what to do.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink on the Gold Coast?
Is Gold Coast tap water safe to drink? We analyse real data for fluoride, chlorine, hardness and contaminants against Australian drinking water guidelines.
Why Does My Kettle Have White Residue in Australia?
Why does my kettle have white residue? It's limescale from hard water minerals. See how your Australian city's water hardness affects your kettle.
Does Sydney Have Hard Water?
No — Sydney has soft water across all 13 supply zones, ranging from 30 to 58 mg/L. See exactly how hard your suburb's water is and what it means at home.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Canberra? (2026)
Is Canberra tap water safe to drink? We analyse Icon Water's data on hardness, fluoride, free chlorine, PFAS, and the Cotter catchment that supplies the capital.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Hobart? (2026)
Is Hobart tap water safe to drink? We analyse TasWater's data on hardness, fluoride, chlorine, pH, and the award-winning taste of Tasmania's mains water.
Greater Western Water Service Region: Suburbs and Water Quality
The Greater Western Water service region covers 1 million Victorians across 3,700 km². See the full suburb list, water sources, and hardness data by zone.
Does Brisbane Have Hard Water?
Yes — Brisbane has moderately hard water, ranging from 53 to 115 mg/L depending on your suburb. See how hardness varies by zone and what it means for your home.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Perth? (2026)
Is tap water safe to drink in Perth? We analyse Water Corporation data for hardness, fluoride, TDS, and contaminants across Perth's 29 supply localities.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Darwin? (2026)
Is Darwin tap water safe to drink? We analyse Power and Water Corporation's testing data on hardness, chlorine, fluoride, colour, and wet season quality.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Brisbane? (2026)
Is Brisbane tap water safe? We analyse actual water quality data for fluoride, chlorine, hardness, and contaminants across Brisbane's supply zones.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Adelaide? (2026)
Is tap water safe to drink in Adelaide? We analyse SA Water's data across 12 supply zones covering hardness, chloramine, fluoride, PFAS, and contaminants.
Water Hardness in Adelaide: Suburb-by-Suburb Data
Water hardness in Adelaide ranges from 87 to 136 mg/L across supply zones. Check suburb-by-suburb hardness data for every area in metropolitan Adelaide.
Water Hardness in Brisbane: Suburb-by-Suburb Data
Brisbane water hardness ranges from 53 to 115 mg/L across supply zones. Check suburb-by-suburb data for every area in Greater Brisbane and South East QLD.
Water Hardness in Sydney: Suburb-by-Suburb Data
Sydney has some of Australia's softest tap water, ranging from 30 to 58 mg/L. Check water hardness data for every suburb and supply zone across Greater Sydney.
Perth vs Adelaide Water Quality Compared
How does Perth tap water compare to Adelaide? We compare hardness, TDS, taste, fluoride, and treatment methods using real utility data from Water Corporation and SA Water.
Moving to Sydney? Here's What to Expect From the Tap Water
Moving to Sydney and wondering about the water? This practical relocation guide covers Sydney Water's 13 supply zones, water hardness, chlorine vs chloramine, fluoride, taste, and whether you need a filter.
Understanding PFAS in Australian Water
What are PFAS in Australian water, where have they been found, and what can you do? A balanced guide to forever chemicals, NHMRC guidelines, and filters.
Reverse Osmosis vs Carbon Filters: Which Is Right for You?
Reverse osmosis vs carbon filter: compare cost, contaminant removal, maintenance, and water waste to find the right filter for your Australian tap water.
Australia's Hardest Water Suburbs: Where Limescale Wins
Hardest water suburbs in Australia ranked with actual mg/L readings. See the 20 suburbs exceeding ADWG guidelines and what limescale means for your home.
Chlorine in Australian Tap Water: Should You Filter It?
Chlorine in tap water Australia: we break down actual chlorine and chloramine levels across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and more using real utility data, and explain whether filtering is worthwhile.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Sydney? (2026)
Is tap water safe to drink in Sydney? We analyse actual water quality data across 13 supply zones covering fluoride, chlorine, hardness, and contaminants.