Katoomba vs Southport

Name: Water Quality Comparison: Katoomba vs Southport
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

Southport, QLD

9.0

Quality Score

Supplied by Seqwater

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Which suburb has better water?

Katoomba has better water quality with a score of 9.7/10 compared to Southport's 9.0/10. Southport has softer water (33.9 vs 38.1 mg/L).

Based on ADWG compliance across all measured parameters. Both suburbs receive treated, safe drinking water.

As an Amazon Associate, WaterScore earns from qualifying purchases. We may also earn from other affiliate links on this page — this doesn't affect our recommendations.

Recommended for this suburb

Chlorine in Southport is 1.7 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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A BRITA Marella is the opposite: fast (2.4L, fills in under a minute), kid-friendly handle, fridge-door fit, replacement cartridges available everywhere in AU. Chlorine gone, taste clean, no plumber, no faff — this is the default answer for chlorine taste in Australia.

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Visual comparison

Katoomba, NSW

Southport, QLD

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

Katoomba

38.1 Higher

Southport

33.9 Lower

pH Level

Katoomba

7.7 Normal

Southport

6.2 Outside range

Fluoride (mg/L)

Katoomba

1.04 Higher

Southport

0.81 Lower

Chlorine (mg/L)

Katoomba

1.06 Lower

Southport

1.7 Higher

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	Katoomba	Southport	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	—	29.5 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Aluminium	0.017 Good	0.013 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Ammonia	0.001 Measured	—	mg/L	No limit
Arsenic	—	0.0005 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Bromate	—	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Cadmium	—	0.0001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Calcium	—	12.5 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Chlorate	—	0.066 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	0.004 Good	25.7 Good	mg/L	< 250
Chromium	—	0.001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Colour	2 Good	1.3 Good	HU	< 15
Conductivity	—	197.5 Measured	µS/cm	No limit
Copper	0.014 Good	0.001 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	0.81 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	1.06 Good	1.7 Good	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	38.1 Good	33.9 Good	mg/L	< 200
Iron	0.016 Good	0.01 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	—	0.001 Good	mg/L	< 0.01
Magnesium	—	0.7 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Manganese	0.0031 Good	0.001 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Mercury	—	0.0001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Monochloramine	0.07 Good	—	mg/L	< 3
Ndma	0.0001 Measured	0.003 Measured	mg/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	6.2 Outside range	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	—	18.3 Good	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	0.9 Good	—	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	16.1 Measured	25 Measured	degrees C	No limit
Total Chlorine	—	1.6 Good	mg/L	< 5
Total Dissolved Solids	92.5 Good	—	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.03 Good	0.0396 Good	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.17 Good	0.3 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	0.005 Measured	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

Katoomba

Southport

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 Seqwater. 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.