Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Parliament House, ACT?
Postcode 2600 · Supplied by Icon Water · Current data · 2024-25 annual report
Yes, safe to drink
Tap water in Parliament House meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines across all tested parameters. The water is safe to drink straight from the tap.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Canberra , Deakin West , Duntroon
ADWG compliance check
Each parameter tested against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
| Parameter | Value | Unit | ADWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | 0 | MPN/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Total Coliforms | 0 | MPN/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Conductivity | 103 | µS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| pH | 7.78 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Temperature | 16.7 | °C | No limit | Measured |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 72 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Colour | 1 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.3 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Alkalinity | 37 | mg/L CaCO3 | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 28 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Exceeds |
| Calcium | 12.61 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 4.3 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Monochloramine | 0.1 | mg/L | < 3 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.69 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.79 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Cyanide | 0.004 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Fluoride | 0.8 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 38 | mg/L CaCO3 | < 200 | Good |
| Magnesium | 1.5 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nitrate | 0.1 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Sodium | 3.8 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 5.5 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Antimony | 3 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Cadmium | 0.05 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chromium | 2 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Copper | 21 | mg/L | < 2 | Exceeds |
| Iron | 0.01 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.5 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Exceeds |
| Manganese | 0.005 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Nickel | 1 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Zinc | 5 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.039 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
Contaminant check
Parameters that exceed or approach ADWG limits
Aluminium — 28 mg/L
Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 0.2 mg/L.
Copper — 21 mg/L
Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 2 mg/L.
Lead — 0.5 mg/L
Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 0.01 mg/L.
What's in your water
Key parameters explained in plain English
Water Hardness
At 38 mg/L, Parliament House's water is classified as soft. Soft water is gentle on appliances and skin. The ADWG aesthetic guideline is 200 mg/L.
pH Level
pH of 7.78 is within the safe range of 6.5–8.5. Water outside this range may taste metallic or cause pipe corrosion.
Fluoride
Fluoride measured at 0.8 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine (Disinfection)
Chlorine at 0.69 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
- Icon Water
- Supply Zone
- South Canberra, Woden and Weston
Frequently asked questions
Is Parliament House tap water safe?
What contaminants are in Parliament House water?
Should I filter my tap water in Parliament House?
Guides for Canberra
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Parliament House
Learn more about water in Parliament House
Is tap water safe in nearby suburbs?
Safety assessments for suburbs on the same water supply
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Parliament House'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 Parliament House
Based on Parliament House'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
Ideal for Parliament House — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Waterdrop
TSA Under-Sink Filter (Fluoride + PFAS)
4.4 · 2,237 ratings on Amazon
A reliable tsa under-sink filter (fluoride + pfas) suitable for Parliament House's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Parliament House — removes chlorine taste and odour.
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 Icon Water (2024-25 annual 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.