Tap Water Quality in Alice Springs, NT
Postcode 0870 · Supplied by Power and Water Corporation via Alice Springs
Quality Score
About Alice Springs
Alice Springs is a suburb of 231 residents in Northern Territory (postcode 0870). The median age is 37. It falls within the Power and Water Corporation area. Neighbouring suburbs include Ciccone, The Gap, Desert Springs, Gillen.
Most residents rent (64%), while 13% own their home with a mortgage, while 10% own outright. The median household income is $76,076 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are India (21%), New Zealand (14%), and Nepal (10%).
Tap water in Alice Springs is supplied by Power and Water Corporation. The suburb receives water via the Alice Springs supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2024 water quality reports, Alice Springs achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 217 mg/L, classified as very hard. Residents may notice limescale buildup on appliances and fixtures. The pH level is 7.8, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.61 mg/L, within the recommended range of 0.6–1.1 mg/L for dental health, well under the ADWG maximum of 1.5 mg/L. Chlorine, used for disinfection, measures 1 mg/L — well within the ADWG guideline of 5 mg/L. Some residents may notice a slight taste, which can be reduced by refrigerating water or using a carbon filter. Total dissolved solids (TDS) measure 71.8 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.85 NTU, indicating clear water, within the ADWG guideline of 5 NTU.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Ciccone , The Gap , Desert Springs
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
217/200 mg/L
109% above Northern Territory avg
155% above national avg
Recommended filters for Alice Springs
Products matched to your water profile
iSpring
RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink RO (with Alkaline Re-min)
4.6 · 13,756 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Alice Springs — reduces hardness from 217 mg/L, removes chlorine taste and odour.
AO Smith
Salt-Free Whole House Descaler (6yr / 600,000 Gal)
4.3 · 1,517 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Alice Springs — helps reduce limescale buildup from hard water (217 mg/L) without removing hardness minerals.
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Alice Springs — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Alice Springs compares
Compared to Northern Territory and national averages
| Metric | Alice Springs | NT Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 217 mg/L | 103.9 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.61 mg/L | 0.6 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 1 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.85 NTU | 1.2 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 71.8 mg/L | 35.5 mg/L | 275.7 mg/L |
Full Results
Detailed water quality data
All values compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
| Parameter | Value | Unit | ADWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Chlorine | 1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Copper | 0.1 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Fluoride | 0.61 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.02 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Chloride | 71 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.9 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 2 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Hardness | 217 | mg/L CaCO3 | < 200 | Exceeds |
| Iron | 0.02 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.007 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| pH | 7.8 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Sulfate | 0.004 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 71.8 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.85 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.023 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Alkalinity | 240 | mg/L CaCO3 | No limit | Measured |
| Calcium | 0.0013 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Conductivity | 8.1 | µS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Magnesium | 18 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
Safety
Safety assessment
Of 19 parameters tested, most fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines with 1 exception: Hardness at 217 mg/L CaCO3.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Very hard (217 mg/L)
Water Hardness
Your water is very hard, meaning significant limescale buildup is likely on appliances, fixtures, and heating elements. Soap will struggle to lather, and you may notice dry skin or dull hair after washing. Regular descaling of kettles, dishwashers, and hot water systems is strongly recommended.
Normal Range
pH Level
pH of 7.8 is within the ideal range of 6.5–8.5. The ADWG recommends pH between 6.5 and 8.5 for drinking water.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.61 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 1 mg/L, well within the ADWG guideline of 5 mg/L. Used for disinfection to keep water safe. May affect taste slightly — refrigerating water or using a carbon filter can help.
Learn more about these measurements in our water quality glossary — including Hardness , pH , Fluoride , and ADWG guidelines .
Advice
Practical tips for residents
Chlorine Levels Are Low
Chlorine in Alice Springs measures 1 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Descale Appliances Regularly
With very hard water at 217 mg/L, descale your kettle, showerhead, and hot water system every few months using white vinegar to maintain efficiency.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.61 mg/L in Alice Springs. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Alice Springs?
How hard is the water in Alice Springs?
What water utility supplies Alice Springs?
Does Alice Springs water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Alice Springs?
What is the population of Alice Springs?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Power and Water Corporation
- Supply Zone
- Alice Springs
- Data Source
- Power and Water Corporation — 2017 Power and Water Corporation Drinking Water Quality Report, Drinking Water Quality Report 2019 WEB, 2024 Power and Water Drinking Water Quality Report
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 8.5 and 10.0
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Alice Springs'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.
Guides for Darwin and the NT
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Alice Springs
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Alice Springs, NT
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
217 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Northern Territory water quality
State coverage
Power and Water Corporation
Water utility
Compare with Ciccone
Alice Springs vs Ciccone
Compare with The Gap
Alice Springs vs The Gap
Compare with Desert Springs
Alice Springs vs Desert Springs
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, health recommendations, or professional guidance. Water quality data is sourced from Power and Water Corporation (2024 report) and reflects conditions at the time of utility testing — it may not reflect real-time water quality at your tap. Actual water quality can vary due to local plumbing, seasonal changes, and distance from the treatment plant. For specific health concerns, consult a qualified health professional. For the most current water quality information, contact your local water utility directly. See our Terms of Use.