Katoomba vs Oak Valley

Name: Water Quality Comparison: Katoomba vs Oak Valley
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

Oak Valley, SA

9.8

Quality Score

Supplied by SA Water

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Which suburb has better water?

It's very close! Katoomba scores 9.7/10 and Oak Valley scores 9.8/10. 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

Katoomba, NSW

Oak Valley, SA

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

Katoomba

38.1 Higher

Oak Valley

7 Lower

pH Level

Katoomba

7.7 Normal

Oak Valley

7.3 Normal

Fluoride (mg/L)

Katoomba

1.04 Higher

Oak Valley

0.1 Lower

Chlorine (mg/L)

Katoomba

1.06

Oak Valley

—

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	Katoomba	Oak Valley	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	—	12 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Aluminium	0.017 Good	0.002 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Ammonia	0.001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Calcium	—	2.43 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	0.004 Good	5 Good	mg/L	< 250
Colour	2 Good	1 Good	HU	< 15
Copper	0.014 Good	0.4811 Good	mg/L	< 2
Dissolved Oxygen	87.9 Measured	—	% saturation	No limit
E. coli	0 Compliant	0 Compliant	orgs/100 mL	< 0
Fluoride	1.04 Good	0.1 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	1.06 Good	—	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	38.1 Good	7 Good	mg/L	< 200
Iron	0.016 Good	0.0043 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	—	0.0025 Good	mg/L	< 0.01
Magnesium	—	0.29 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Manganese	0.0031 Good	0.0027 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Monochloramine	0.07 Good	—	mg/L	< 3
Ndma	0.0001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Nitrate	—	3.57 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	7.7 Normal	7.3 Normal	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	—	3.3 Good	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	0.9 Good	1 Good	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	16.1 Measured	—	degrees C	No limit
Total Dissolved Solids	92.5 Good	25 Good	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.03 Good	—	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.17 Good	0.13 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	0.005 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

Katoomba

Oak Valley

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