Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Henley Beach South, SA?
Postcode 5022 · Supplied by SA Water · Current data · 2025 report
Yes, safe to drink
Tap water in Henley Beach South meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines across all tested parameters. The water is safe to drink straight from the tap.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Henley Beach , Fulham , West Beach
ADWG compliance check
Each parameter tested against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
| Parameter | Value | Unit | ADWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkalinity | 62 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.031 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Calcium | 20.6 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 89 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.3 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.4 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 1 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Copper | 0.0319 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| E. coli | 0 | cfu/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.4 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 97 | PPM or mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.0225 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.0002 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 11.06 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.0015 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Nitrate | 0.46 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| pH | 0.05 | µg/L | 6.5 – 8.5 | Outside range |
| Sodium | 53.5 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 36.3 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 300 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.1 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
Contaminant check
Parameters that exceed or approach ADWG limits
pH — 0.05 µg/L
Exceeds ADWG guideline of 6.5 – 8.5 µg/L.
What's in your water
Key parameters explained in plain English
Water Hardness
At 97 mg/L, Henley Beach South's water is classified as moderately hard. You may notice some limescale buildup in kettles and appliances. The ADWG aesthetic guideline is 200 mg/L.
pH Level
pH of 0.05 is outside the recommended range of 6.5–8.5. Water outside this range may taste metallic or cause pipe corrosion.
Fluoride
Fluoride measured at 0.4 mg/L. Below the recommended range for dental health benefits.
Chlorine (Disinfection)
Chlorine at 0.3 mg/L (ADWG limit: 5 mg/L). Used to kill harmful bacteria and ensure water stays safe in the pipes. May affect taste — a carbon filter or refrigerating water can reduce chlorine.
E. coli
No E. coli detected — the water meets the ADWG standard of zero E. coli per 100 mL. This indicates effective disinfection.
About your water supply
- Water Utility
- SA Water
- Supply Zone
- Central metro Adelaide suburbs
Frequently asked questions
Is Henley Beach South tap water safe?
What contaminants are in Henley Beach South water?
Should I filter my tap water in Henley Beach South?
Guides for Adelaide and SA
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Henley Beach South
Learn more about water in Henley Beach South
Is tap water safe in nearby suburbs?
Safety assessments for suburbs on the same water supply
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Henley Beach South's water meets ADWG standards at the source, but old pipes, roof tanks, and ageing plumbing can add lead, copper or bacteria before the water reaches your tap. These won't show up in your utility report.
Check your own tap before buying a filter or assuming the suburb average matches your home.
Tetra
EasyStrips 6-in-1 Water Test (100 strips)
4.6 · 8,650 ratings on Amazon
Tests 6 parameters in 60 seconds: hardness, chlorine, pH, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity. Cheapest way to verify your utility data.
Test my tap →Sponsored Amazon link. Check Amazon for current price and availability.
Heavy Metals
Drinking Water Test Kit (Lead, Copper, Iron, Mercury)
4.2 · 250 ratings on Amazon
20 tests. Detects lead, copper, iron, mercury — the things utility reports miss. Mobile-app results, EPA-standard thresholds.
Check metals kit →Sponsored Amazon link. Check Amazon for current price and availability.
Recommended water filters for Henley Beach South
Based on Henley Beach South's water profile — matched to the parameters tested above
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
A reliable marella 2.4l fridge water filter jug (maxtra+) suitable for Henley Beach South's water profile.
Waterdrop
TSA Under-Sink Filter (Fluoride + PFAS)
4.4 · 2,237 ratings on Amazon
A reliable tsa under-sink filter (fluoride + pfas) suitable for Henley Beach South's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 8.5l stainless steel gravity system suitable for Henley Beach South's water profile.
Important disclaimer: The safety assessment on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, health recommendations, or a guarantee of water safety. Our assessment is based on comparison against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) using data from SA Water (2025 report). This data reflects conditions at the time of utility testing and may not reflect real-time water quality at your specific tap. Water quality can be affected by local plumbing, building age, seasonal variations, and other factors not captured in utility reports. If you have health concerns about your drinking water, please consult a qualified health professional or contact your local water utility directly. See our Terms of Use.