McKellar vs Nicholls

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

Side-by-side tap water quality comparison

Nicholls, ACT

9.7

Quality Score

Supplied by Icon Water

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Which suburb has better water?

It's very close! McKellar scores 9.7/10 and Nicholls 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 Nicholls 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

McKellar, ACT

Nicholls, ACT

Key metrics comparison

Hardness (mg/L)

McKellar

36 Lower

Nicholls

37 Higher

pH Level

McKellar

7.61 Normal

Nicholls

7.5 Normal

Fluoride (mg/L)

McKellar

0.8 Higher

Nicholls

0.79 Lower

Chlorine (mg/L)

McKellar

0.93 Lower

Nicholls

1 Higher

Full water quality comparison

All parameters compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)

Parameter	McKellar	Nicholls	Unit	ADWG Guideline
Alkalinity	36 Measured	37 Measured	mg/L CaCO3	No limit
Aluminium	0.032 Good	0.03 Good	mg/L	< 0.2
Antimony	0.003 Measured	0.003 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Cadmium	0.00005 Measured	0.00005 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Calcium	11.94 Measured	12.09 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Chloride	4.2 Good	3.9 Good	mg/L	< 250
Chromium	0.002 Measured	0.002 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Colour	1 Good	1 Good	HU	< 15
Conductivity	124 Measured	123 Measured	µS/cm	No limit
Copper	0.016 Good	0.013 Good	mg/L	< 2
Cyanide	0.004 Measured	0.004 Measured	mg/L	No limit
E. coli	0 Compliant	0 Compliant	MPN/100mL	< 0
Fluoride	0.8 Good	0.79 Good	mg/L	< 1.5
Free Chlorine	0.93 Good	1 Good	mg/L	< 5
Hardness	36 Good	37 Good	mg/L CaCO3	< 200
Iron	0.01 Good	0.01 Good	mg/L	< 0.3
Lead	0.0003 Good	0.0004 Good	mg/L	< 0.01
Magnesium	1.55 Measured	1.56 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Manganese	0.006 Good	0.005 Good	mg/L	< 0.1
Monochloramine	0.06 Good	0.06 Good	mg/L	< 3
Nickel	0.001 Measured	0.001 Measured	mg/L	No limit
Nitrate	0.2 Good	0.1 Good	mg/L	< 50
pH	7.61 Normal	7.5 Normal	pH units	6.5 – 8.5
Sodium	3.7 Good	3.8 Good	mg/L	< 180
Sulfate	4.6 Good	4.5 Good	mg/L	< 500
Temperature	17.5 Measured	17 Measured	°C	No limit
Total Chlorine	1 Good	1.07 Good	mg/L	< 5
Total Coliforms	0 Compliant	0 Compliant	MPN/100mL	< 0
Total Dissolved Solids	72 Good	74 Good	mg/L	< 600
Trihalomethanes	0.038 Good	0.034 Good	mg/L	< 0.25
Turbidity	0.3 Good	0.3 Good	NTU	< 5
Zinc	0.005 Measured	0.005 Measured	mg/L	No limit

Explore further

McKellar

Nicholls

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