Ainslie vs Katoomba

Name: Water Quality Comparison: Ainslie vs Katoomba
Creator: WaterScore
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Side-by-side tap water quality comparison

Katoomba, NSW

9.7

Quality Score

Supplied by Sydney Water

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Which suburb has better water?

It's very close! Ainslie scores 9.7/10 and Katoomba scores 9.7/10. Both suburbs have similar water quality based on ADWG compliance data.

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Recommended for this suburb

Chlorine in Ainslie is 1 mg/L — above the taste threshold. That pool smell in every glass is real.

Chlorine is added on purpose (kills bugs in the pipes), but by the time it reaches your tap it ruins everything you taste. Tea takes on a medicinal edge. Kids turn down water and drink juice or soft drink instead. The usual family fix is bottled water, but a simple carbon filter is the cleaner daily habit. Worse, many filter pitchers go in the fridge and get ignored because they're slow.

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Visual comparison

Ainslie, ACT

Katoomba, NSW

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

Ainslie

37 Lower

Katoomba

38.1 Higher

pH Level

Ainslie

7.5 Normal

Katoomba

7.7 Normal

Fluoride (mg/L)

Ainslie

0.79 Lower

Katoomba

1.04 Higher

Chlorine (mg/L)

Ainslie

1 Lower

Katoomba

1.06 Higher

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	Ainslie	Katoomba	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	37 Measured	—	mg/L CaCO3	No limit
Aluminium	0.03 Good	0.017 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Ammonia	—	0.001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Antimony	0.003 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Cadmium	0.00005 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Calcium	12.09 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	3.9 Good	0.004 Good	mg/L	< 250
Chromium	0.002 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Colour	1 Good	2 Good	HU	< 15
Conductivity	123 Measured	—	µS/cm	No limit
Copper	0.013 Good	0.014 Good	mg/L	< 2
Cyanide	0.004 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Dissolved Oxygen	—	87.9 Measured	% saturation	No limit
E. coli	0 Compliant	0 Compliant	MPN/100mL	< 0
Fluoride	0.79 Good	1.04 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	1 Good	1.06 Good	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	37 Good	38.1 Good	mg/L CaCO3	< 200
Iron	0.01 Good	0.016 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	0.0004 Good	—	mg/L	< 0.01
Magnesium	1.56 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Manganese	0.005 Good	0.0031 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Monochloramine	0.06 Good	0.07 Good	mg/L	< 3
Ndma	—	0.0001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Nickel	0.001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Nitrate	0.1 Good	—	mg/L	< 50
PFOA	—	0.0001 Good	µg/L	< 0.2
PFOS + PFHxS	—	0.0026 Good	µg/L	PFOS < 0.008, PFHxS < 0.03
pH	7.5 Normal	7.7 Normal	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	3.8 Good	—	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	4.5 Good	0.9 Good	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	17 Measured	16.1 Measured	°C	No limit
Total Chlorine	1.07 Good	—	mg/L	< 5
Total Coliforms	0 Compliant	—	MPN/100mL	< 0
Total Dissolved Solids	74 Good	92.5 Good	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.034 Good	0.03 Good	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.3 Good	0.17 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	0.005 Measured	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

Ainslie

Katoomba

Disclaimer: This comparison is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional guidance. Data is sourced from Icon Water and Sydney Water. Values shown are based on the most recent published water quality reports and may not reflect real-time conditions at your tap. Water quality can vary due to local plumbing, seasonal changes, and other factors. For specific health concerns, consult a qualified health professional or contact your local water utility. See our Terms of Use.