Tap Water Quality in Brighton East, VIC
Postcode 3187 · Supplied by South East Water via Moorabbin
Quality Score
About Brighton East
Brighton East is a suburb of 16,757 residents in Victoria (postcode 3187). The median age is 45. It falls within the Melbourne South-East area. Neighbouring suburbs include Mckinnon, Ormond, Bentleigh, Brighton.
Most residents own outright (41%), while 34% own their home with a mortgage, while 20% rent. The median household income is $132,288 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (18%), China (13%), and South Africa (6%).
Tap water in Brighton East is supplied by South East Water. South East Water serves Melbourne South-East. The suburb receives water via the Moorabbin, Brighton / Heatherton supply zones.
Water quality summary
Based on 2023-24 water quality reports, Brighton East achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 20 mg/L, classified as soft. This is gentle on appliances and skin, with minimal limescale buildup expected. The water is fluoridated at 0.76 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 0.8 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. Turbidity is 2 NTU, within the ADWG guideline of 5 NTU.
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Brighton East
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Brighton East — removes chlorine taste and odour.
ZeroWater
23-Cup Dispenser (incl. TDS Meter)
4.3 · 27,123 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 23-cup dispenser (incl. tds meter) suitable for Brighton East's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Brighton East — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Brighton East compares
Compared to Victoria and national averages
| Metric | Brighton East | VIC Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 20 mg/L | 28 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | — | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.76 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.8 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 2 NTU | 1.8 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | — | — | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 0.76 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.8 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Copper | 0.02 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Lead | 0.001 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.007 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Iron | 0.03 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Hardness | 20 | mg/L CaCO3 | < 200 | Good |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.037 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Turbidity | 2 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 9 parameters tested, all results fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Soft (20 mg/L)
Water Hardness
Your water is classified as soft, which means minimal limescale buildup on fixtures and appliances. Soap and shampoo will lather easily, and you should notice no drying effects on skin or hair. Hot water systems and kettles are unlikely to suffer scale-related efficiency losses.
Data unavailable
pH Level
pH data is not currently available for Brighton East.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.76 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.8 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 Brighton East measures 0.8 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
Brighton East's water is soft at 20 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.76 mg/L in Brighton East. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Sediment Filtration
Turbidity is 2 NTU in Brighton East. A sediment pre-filter on your main line can help reduce fine particles and improve water clarity at the tap.
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We'll email you when Brighton East's water data is updated.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Brighton East?
How hard is the water in Brighton East?
What water utility supplies Brighton East?
Does Brighton East water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Brighton East?
What is the population of Brighton East?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- South East Water
- Service Area
- Melbourne South-East
- Supply Zone
- Moorabbin
- Website
- www.southeastwater.com.au
- Data Source
- South East Water — SEW Annual Water Quality Report 2023 24
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
Brighton East'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 Melbourne
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Brighton East
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Brighton East, VIC
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
20 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Victoria water quality
State coverage
South East Water
Water utility
Compare with Mckinnon
Brighton East vs Mckinnon
Compare with Ormond
Brighton East vs Ormond
Compare with Bentleigh
Brighton East vs Bentleigh
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 South East Water (2023-24 annual 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.