Tap Water Quality in Garawa, NT
Supplied by Power and Water Corporation via Garawa
Quality Score
About Garawa
Garawa is a suburb in Northern Territory, Australia. It falls within the Power and Water Corporation area. Neighbouring suburbs include Acacia Hills, Adelaide River, Aherrenge, Alawa.
Tap water in Garawa is supplied by Power and Water Corporation. The suburb receives water via the Garawa supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2019 water quality reports, Garawa achieves a WaterScore of 8.8 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 6 mg/L, classified as soft. This is gentle on appliances and skin, with minimal limescale buildup expected. The pH level is 5.8, which is outside the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.11 mg/L, 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.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Acacia Hills , Adelaide River , Aherrenge
Recommended filters for Garawa
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Garawa — 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 Garawa's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Garawa — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Garawa compares
Compared to Northern Territory and national averages
| Metric | Garawa | NT Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 6 mg/L | 103.9 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 5.8 | 7.3 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.11 mg/L | 0.6 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 1 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | — | 1.2 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | — | 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 | 0.2 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Fluoride | 0.11 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.02 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Chloride | 12 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 2 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Hardness | 6 | mg/L CaCO3 | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.01 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.005 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| pH | 5.8 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Outside range |
Safety
Safety assessment
Of 11 parameters tested, most fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines with 1 exception: pH at 5.8 pH units.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Soft (6 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.
Outside Range
pH Level
pH of 5.8 is outside 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 0.11 mg/L. Below the recommended range.
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 Garawa measures 1 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
Garawa's water is soft at 6 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.11 mg/L in Garawa. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Slightly Acidic Water
pH measures 5.8 in Garawa, which is slightly acidic. Running the tap for 30 seconds before drinking can flush any metals that dissolve more readily in acidic water.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Garawa?
How hard is the water in Garawa?
What water utility supplies Garawa?
Does Garawa water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Garawa?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Power and Water Corporation
- Supply Zone
- Garawa
- Data Source
- Power and Water Corporation — 2017 Power and Water Corporation Drinking Water Quality Report, Drinking Water Quality Report 2019 WEB
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 7.8 and 9.8
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Garawa'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 Garawa
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Garawa, NT
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
6 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Northern Territory water quality
State coverage
Power and Water Corporation
Water utility
Compare with Acacia Hills
Garawa vs Acacia Hills
Compare with Adelaide River
Garawa vs Adelaide River
Compare with Aherrenge
Garawa vs Aherrenge
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 (2019 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.