Tap Water Quality in Cairns Bay, TAS
Postcode 7116 · Supplied by TasWater via Huonville
Quality Score
About Cairns Bay
Cairns Bay is a suburb of 47 residents in Tasmania (postcode 7116). The median age is 39. It falls within the TasWater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Brooks Bay, Castle Forbes Bay, Geeveston, Police Point.
Most residents own their home with a mortgage (77%), while 62% rent, while 0% own outright. The median household income is $46,800 per year.
Tap water in Cairns Bay is supplied by TasWater. The suburb receives water via the Huonville supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, Cairns Bay achieves a WaterScore of 9.7 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 22.645161 mg/L, classified as soft. This is gentle on appliances and skin, with minimal limescale buildup expected. The pH level is 7.591733, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.846667 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 0.940937 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 120.064516 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.302833 NTU, indicating clear water, within the ADWG guideline of 5 NTU. E. coli was not detected in testing, meeting the ADWG standard for microbiological safety.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Brooks Bay , Castle Forbes Bay , Geeveston
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Cairns Bay
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Cairns Bay — removes chlorine taste and odour.
ZeroWater
2.8L 5-Stage Jug (PFAS + Fluoride + Lead, IAPMO Certified)
4.2 · 5,315 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 2.8l 5-stage jug (pfas + fluoride + lead, iapmo certified) suitable for Cairns Bay's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Cairns Bay — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Cairns Bay compares
Compared to Tasmania and national averages
| Metric | Cairns Bay | TAS Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 22.645161 mg/L | 34.8 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.591733 | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.846667 mg/L | 0.9 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.940937 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.302833 NTU | 0.3 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 120.064516 mg/L | 93.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkalinity | 37 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.017391 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Ammonia | 0.002129 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Antimony | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Arsenic | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Cadmium | 0.0002 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Calcium | 5.541667 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 13 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.940937 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Chromium | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Colour | 2.322581 | Pt-Co | < 15 | Good |
| Conductivity | 204 | uS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Copper | 0.006739 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Cyanide | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| E. coli | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.846667 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 22.645161 | mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.015217 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.001 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 2.55 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.002217 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Mercury | 0.0001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nickel | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nitrate | 0.00929 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Nitrite | 0.002 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| pH | 7.591733 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Sodium | 28.375 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 37.258065 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Temperature | 12.709091 | degrees C | No limit | Measured |
| Total Coliforms | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 120.064516 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.040364 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.302833 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.004435 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 35 parameters tested, all results fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. E. coli was not detected, meeting the ADWG standard for microbiological safety.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Soft (22.645161 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.
Normal Range
pH Level
pH of 7.591733 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 0.846667 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.940937 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 Cairns Bay measures 0.940937 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
Cairns Bay's water is soft at 22.645161 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.846667 mg/L in Cairns Bay. 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 Cairns Bay?
How hard is the water in Cairns Bay?
What water utility supplies Cairns Bay?
Does Cairns Bay water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Cairns Bay?
What is the population of Cairns Bay?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- TasWater
- Supply Zone
- Huonville
- Data Source
- TasWater — Huonville
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 8.7 and 10.0
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Cairns Bay'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 Hobart and Tasmania
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Cairns Bay
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Cairns Bay, TAS
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
22.645161 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Tasmania water quality
State coverage
TasWater
Water utility
Compare with Brooks Bay
Cairns Bay vs Brooks Bay
Compare with Castle Forbes Bay
Cairns Bay vs Castle Forbes Bay
Compare with Geeveston
Cairns Bay vs Geeveston
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 TasWater (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.