Tap Water Quality in Gawler River, SA
Postcode 5118 · Supplied by SA Water via Barossa
Quality Score
About Gawler River
Gawler River is a suburb of 104 residents in South Australia (postcode 5118). The median age is 46. It falls within the SA Water area. Neighbouring suburbs include Bibaringa, Buchfelde, Kalbeeba, Kingsford.
Most residents own outright (62%), while 24% own their home with a mortgage, while 24% rent. The median household income is $84,448 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (62%).
Tap water in Gawler River is supplied by SA Water. The suburb receives water via the Barossa supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2025 water quality reports, Gawler River achieves a WaterScore of 9.4 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 138 mg/L, classified as hard. Residents may notice limescale buildup on appliances and fixtures. The water is fluoridated at 0.6 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 0.6 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 391 mg/L, considered moderate against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.25 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: Bibaringa , Buchfelde , Kalbeeba
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Gawler River
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 Gawler River — reduces hardness from 138 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 Gawler River — helps reduce limescale buildup from hard water (138 mg/L) without removing hardness minerals.
iSpring
Counter-top Drinking Water Filter
4.4 · 1,108 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Gawler River — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Gawler River compares
Compared to South Australia and national averages
| Metric | Gawler River | SA Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 138 mg/L | 119.3 mg/L | 80.3 mg/L |
| pH | — | 8.6 | 7.8 |
| Fluoride | 0.6 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.6 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.25 NTU | 0.1 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 391 mg/L | 341.5 mg/L | 267.4 mg/L |
Full Results
Detailed water quality data
All values compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
| Parameter | Value | Unit | ADWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkalinity | 65 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.019 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Calcium | 27.9 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 127 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.6 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.7 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 1 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Copper | 0.0157 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| E. coli | 0 | cfu/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.6 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 138 | PPM or mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.0828 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.0005 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 16.7 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.0041 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Nitrate | 0.18 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Sodium | 73.7 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 59.2 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 391 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.25 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 20 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
Hard (138 mg/L)
Water Hardness
Your water is classified as hard. Expect noticeable limescale on heating elements, showerheads, and taps. Soap and shampoo may not lather as freely, requiring more product. Some residents report drier skin or hair. Periodic descaling of kettles and hot water systems is recommended to maintain efficiency.
Data unavailable
pH Level
pH data is not currently available for Gawler River.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.6 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.6 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 Gawler River measures 0.6 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Watch for Limescale
Gawler River has hard water at 138 mg/L. Wipe taps and showerheads periodically with vinegar to prevent limescale buildup on fixtures.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.6 mg/L in Gawler River. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Consider a Filter for TDS
Total dissolved solids measure 391 mg/L. A reverse osmosis filter can reduce dissolved minerals if you prefer a cleaner taste in drinking water.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Gawler River?
How hard is the water in Gawler River?
What water utility supplies Gawler River?
Does Gawler River water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Gawler River?
What is the population of Gawler River?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- SA Water
- Supply Zone
- Barossa
- Data Source
- SA Water — water quality performance results november 2025
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 8.4 and 10.0
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Gawler River'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 Adelaide and SA
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Gawler River
Cite
Cite this page
Free to quote and reuse with a credit to WaterScore and a link to this page. Journalists and researchers can find key figures and contacts on our press and data page.
WaterScore. (2026). Tap water quality in Gawler River, SA [Data set]. Compiled from SA Water data (2025 report). https://waterscore.com.au/water-quality/gawler-river-sa/
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Related
Explore more
Related pages for Gawler River, SA
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Safety assessment
Water hardness
138 mg/L
Best water filter
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South Australia water quality
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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 SA Water (2025 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.