Karratha vs Katoomba

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

Side-by-side tap water quality comparison

Karratha, WA

9.6

Quality Score

Supplied by Water Corporation

Katoomba, NSW

9.7

Quality Score

Supplied by Sydney Water

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Which suburb has better water?

It's very close! Karratha scores 9.6/10 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

Fluoride in Katoomba is 1.04 mg/L — above the 1.0 mg/L threshold. If you want it out, a carbon pitcher won't do it.

This is the fluoride mistake almost every family makes: they buy a Brita or a basic tap filter, assume it's handling fluoride, and it isn't. Activated carbon doesn't touch fluoride ions. Neither does boiling — that actually concentrates it. Reverse osmosis (85–95% removal) and activated alumina are the only two consumer technologies that measurably reduce fluoride at the tap.

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RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink RO (with Alkaline Re-min)

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A 6-stage RO system drops fluoride from 1.04 mg/L down to near-zero, and handles chlorine, lead and dissolved solids at the same time. Under-sink mount, its own tap on the bench.

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Visual comparison

Karratha, WA

Katoomba, NSW

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

Karratha

54 Higher

Katoomba

38.1 Lower

pH Level

Karratha

7.85 Normal

Katoomba

7.7 Normal

Fluoride (mg/L)

Karratha

0.1 Lower

Katoomba

1.04 Higher

Chlorine (mg/L)

Karratha

—

Katoomba

1.06

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	Karratha	Katoomba	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	49 Measured	—	mg/L CaCO3	No limit
Aluminium	0.008 Good	0.017 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Ammonia	—	0.001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	42 Good	0.004 Good	mg/L	< 250
Colour	1 Good	2 Good	HU	< 15
Copper	—	0.014 Good	mg/L	< 2
Dissolved Oxygen	—	87.9 Measured	% saturation	No limit
E. coli	—	0 Compliant	orgs/100 mL	< 0
Fluoride	0.1 Good	1.04 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	—	1.06 Good	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	54 Good	38.1 Good	mg/L CaCO3	< 200
Iron	0.009 Good	0.016 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Manganese	0.005 Good	0.0031 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Monochloramine	—	0.07 Good	mg/L	< 3
Ndma	—	0.0001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Nitrate	0.44 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	7.85 Normal	7.7 Normal	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	21 Good	—	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	0.15 Good	0.9 Good	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	—	16.1 Measured	degrees C	No limit
Total Dissolved Solids	157 Good	92.5 Good	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.052 Good	0.03 Good	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.1 Good	0.17 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	—	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

Karratha

Katoomba

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