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Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Wirrina Cove, SA?

Postcode 5204 · Supplied by SA Water · Current data · 2025 report

Yes, safe to drink

Tap water in Wirrina Cove meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines across all tested parameters. The water is safe to drink straight from the tap.

Compare with nearby suburbs: Normanville , Cape Jervis , Deep Creek

ADWG compliance check

Each parameter tested against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Parameter Value Unit ADWG Guideline Status
Alkalinity 74 mg/L No limit Measured
Aluminium 0.02 mg/L < 0.2 Good
Calcium 43.1 mg/L No limit Measured
Chloride 513 mg/L < 250 Exceeds
Free Chlorine 0.2 mg/L < 5 Good
Total Chlorine 0.3 mg/L < 5 Good
Colour 1 HU < 15 Good
Copper 0.0187 mg/L < 2 Good
E. coli 0 cfu/100mL < 0 Compliant
Fluoride 0.1 mg/L < 1.5 Good
Hardness 258 PPM or mg/L < 200 Exceeds
Iron 0.0051 mg/L < 0.3 Good
Lead 0.0001 mg/L < 0.01 Good
Magnesium 36.6 mg/L No limit Measured
Manganese 0.0291 mg/L < 0.1 Good
Nitrate 2 mg/L < 50 Good
pH 0.05 µg/L 6.5 – 8.5 Outside range
Sodium 317 mg/L < 180 Exceeds
Sulfate 171 mg/L < 500 Good
Turbidity 0.37 NTU < 5 Good

Contaminant check

Parameters that exceed or approach ADWG limits

×

Chloride — 513 mg/L

Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 250 mg/L.

×

Hardness — 258 PPM or mg/L

Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 200 PPM or mg/L.

×

pH — 0.05 µg/L

Exceeds ADWG guideline of 6.5 – 8.5 µg/L.

×

Sodium — 317 mg/L

Exceeds ADWG guideline of < 180 mg/L.

What's in your water

Key parameters explained in plain English

Water Hardness

At 258 mg/L, Wirrina Cove's water is classified as very 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 0.1 mg/L. Below the recommended range for dental health benefits.

Chlorine (Disinfection)

Chlorine at 0.2 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
Wirrina Cove

Frequently asked questions

Is Wirrina Cove tap water safe?
Yes, safe to drink. Wirrina Cove scores 8.0 out of 10 on the WaterScore scale, based on testing against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Water is supplied by SA Water. 4 parameter(s) exceed ADWG limits. Of 20 parameters tested, 4 exceed ADWG guidelines.
What contaminants are in Wirrina Cove water?
The following parameters exceed ADWG guidelines in Wirrina Cove: Chloride (513 mg/L, limit: < 250); Hardness (258 PPM or mg/L, limit: < 200); pH (0.05 µg/L, limit: 6.5 – 8.5); Sodium (317 mg/L, limit: < 180). The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are set by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to protect public health.
Should I filter my tap water in Wirrina Cove?
Wirrina Cove's water quality score of 8.0/10 indicates high quality. Filtration is optional but a carbon filter can improve taste by reducing chlorine. See our full water quality report for Wirrina Cove for detailed parameter analysis.

Guides for Adelaide and SA

In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Wirrina Cove

Learn more about water in Wirrina Cove

Is tap water safe in nearby suburbs?

Safety assessments for suburbs on the same water supply

Utility reports average the grid — not your home

Wirrina Cove'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.

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Heavy Metals Drinking Water Test Kit (20 packs)

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Recommended water filters for Wirrina Cove

Based on Wirrina Cove's water profile — matched to the parameters tested above

Our top pick
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink RO System with Alkaline Remineralization

iSpring

RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink RO (with Alkaline Re-min)

4.6 · 13,756 ratings on Amazon

Premium Matched to Wirrina Cove's water

Ideal for Wirrina Cove — reduces hardness from 258 mg/L.

YARNA Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler Whole House System

YARNA

Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler (Whole House)

4 · 538 ratings on Amazon

Mid-range Matched to Wirrina Cove's water

Ideal for Wirrina Cove — helps reduce limescale buildup from hard water (258 mg/L) without removing hardness minerals.

Berkey Royal 3.25 Gallon with 2 Black and 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters

Berkey

Royal 3.25 Gal (with Fluoride Filters)

4.5 · 1,628 ratings on Amazon

Premium Matched to Wirrina Cove's water

A reliable royal 3.25 gal (with fluoride filters) suitable for Wirrina Cove'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.

iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink RO System with Alkaline Remineralization

Very hard · 258 mg/L — scale damage

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Stop the scale →