Tap Water Quality in Garden Suburb, NSW
Postcode 2289 · Supplied by Hunter Water via Grahamstown
Quality Score
About Garden Suburb
Garden Suburb is a suburb of 1,959 residents in New South Wales (postcode 2289). The median age is 41. It falls within the Hunter Water area. Neighbouring suburbs include Adamstown Heights, Kotara Fair, Kotara South, Highfields.
Most residents own outright (45%), while 43% own their home with a mortgage, while 11% rent. The median household income is $122,772 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (20%), New Zealand (8%), and India (7%).
Tap water in Garden Suburb is supplied by Hunter Water. The suburb receives water via the Grahamstown supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2026 water quality reports, Garden Suburb achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. The pH level is 7.5, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.93 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 0.78 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 0.2 NTU, indicating clear water, within the ADWG guideline of 5 NTU.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Adamstown Heights , Kotara Fair , Kotara South
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Garden Suburb
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Garden Suburb — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Waterdrop
TSA Under-Sink Filter (Fluoride + PFAS)
4.4 · 2,237 ratings on Amazon
A reliable tsa under-sink filter (fluoride + pfas) suitable for Garden Suburb's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Garden Suburb — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Garden Suburb compares
Compared to New South Wales and national averages
| Metric | Garden Suburb | NSW Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | — | 45.9 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.93 mg/L | 1 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.78 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.2 NTU | 0.2 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | — | 116.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 0.93 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.78 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Copper | 0.004 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Lead | 0 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.003 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.113 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| PFOS | 0.002 | µg/L | < 0.07 | Good |
| PFOA | 0.002 | µg/L | < 0.56 | Good |
| Pfhxs | 0.002 | µg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Pfbs | 0.002 | µg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Iron | 0.017 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.049 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.003 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Turbidity | 0.2 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 5 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| pH | 7.5 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 16 parameters tested, all results fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Data unavailable
Water Hardness
Hardness data is not currently available for this suburb.
Normal Range
pH Level
pH of 7.5 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 0.93 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.78 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 Garden Suburb measures 0.78 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.93 mg/L in Garden Suburb. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Flush After Absence
If your home has been unoccupied for several days, run the kitchen tap for 30 seconds before drinking. This clears stale water that has been sitting in pipes.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Garden Suburb?
How hard is the water in Garden Suburb?
What water utility supplies Garden Suburb?
Does Garden Suburb water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Garden Suburb?
What is the population of Garden Suburb?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Hunter Water
- Supply Zone
- Grahamstown
- Data Source
- Hunter Water — Monthly Water Quality Summary December 2025, Monthly Water Quality Summary January 2026
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
Garden Suburb'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.
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Garden Suburb, NSW
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
New South Wales water quality
State coverage
Hunter Water
Water utility
Compare with Adamstown Heights
Garden Suburb vs Adamstown Heights
Compare with Kotara Fair
Garden Suburb vs Kotara Fair
Compare with Kotara South
Garden Suburb vs Kotara South
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 Hunter Water (2026 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.