Capalaba vs Katoomba

Name: Water Quality Comparison: Capalaba 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! Capalaba scores 9.5/10 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 Capalaba is 1.3 mg/L — that's high. It's why your tap water smells like a pool.

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

Capalaba, QLD

Katoomba, NSW

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

Capalaba

70.2 Higher

Katoomba

38.1 Lower

pH Level

Capalaba

—

Katoomba

7.7 Normal

Fluoride (mg/L)

Capalaba

0.85 Lower

Katoomba

1.04 Higher

Chlorine (mg/L)

Capalaba

1.3 Higher

Katoomba

1.06 Lower

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	Capalaba	Katoomba	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	34.8 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Aluminium	0.042 Good	0.017 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Ammonia	—	0.001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Arsenic	0.0005 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Cadmium	0.0001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Calcium	19.3 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Chlorate	0.005 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	51.6 Good	0.004 Good	mg/L	< 250
Chromium	0.001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Colour	1 Good	2 Good	HU	< 15
Conductivity	278.9 Measured	—	µS/cm	No limit
Copper	0.001 Good	0.014 Good	mg/L	< 2
Dissolved Oxygen	—	87.9 Measured	% saturation	No limit
E. coli	0 Compliant	0 Compliant	CFU/100mL	< 0
Fluoride	0.85 Good	1.04 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	1.3 Good	1.06 Good	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	70.2 Good	38.1 Good	mg/L	< 200
Iron	0.02 Good	0.016 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	0.001 Good	—	mg/L	< 0.01
Magnesium	5.22 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Manganese	0.003 Good	0.0031 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Mercury	0.0001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Monochloramine	—	0.07 Good	mg/L	< 3
Ndma	0.003 Measured	0.0001 Measured	µg/L	No limit
Nickel	0.001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
PFOA	—	0.0001 Good	µg/L	< 0.2
PFOS + PFHxS	—	0.0026 Good	µg/L	PFOS < 0.008, PFHxS < 0.03
pH	—	7.7 Normal	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	24.7 Good	—	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	—	0.9 Good	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	25.5 Measured	16.1 Measured	°C	No limit
Total Chlorine	1.3 Good	—	mg/L	< 5
Total Dissolved Solids	—	92.5 Good	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.07390000000000001 Good	0.03 Good	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.4 Good	0.17 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	0.005 Measured	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

Capalaba

Katoomba

Disclaimer: This comparison is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional guidance. Data is sourced from Seqwater 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.