Tap Water Quality in Macquarie Heads, TAS
Postcode 7468 · Supplied by TasWater via Strahan
Quality Score
About Macquarie Heads
Macquarie Heads is a suburb in Tasmania, Australia (postcode 7468). It falls within the TasWater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Strathgordon, Gormanston, Strahan, Lake Margaret.
Most residents own their home with a mortgage (0%), while 0% own outright, while 0% rent. The median household income is $0 per year.
Tap water in Macquarie Heads is supplied by TasWater. The suburb receives water via the Strahan supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, Macquarie Heads achieves a WaterScore of 9.6 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 12.857143 mg/L, classified as soft. This is gentle on appliances and skin, with minimal limescale buildup expected. The pH level is 7.284839, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.863333 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 0.606559 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 189.285714 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.257957 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: Strathgordon , Gormanston , Strahan
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Recommended filters for Macquarie Heads
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Macquarie Heads — 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 Macquarie Heads's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Macquarie Heads — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Macquarie Heads compares
Compared to Tasmania and national averages
| Metric | Macquarie Heads | TAS Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 12.857143 mg/L | 34.8 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.284839 | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.863333 mg/L | 0.9 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.606559 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.257957 NTU | 0.3 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 189.285714 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 | 34.714286 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.033333 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Ammonia | 0.002 | 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 | 1.783333 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 28.833333 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.606559 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.7775 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Chromium | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Colour | 2.214286 | Pt-Co | < 15 | Good |
| Conductivity | 321.428571 | uS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Copper | 0.006917 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Cyanide | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| E. coli | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.863333 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 12.857143 | mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.01 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.001 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 2.066667 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.004417 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Mercury | 0.0001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nickel | 0.001333 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nitrate | 0.029429 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Nitrite | 0.002 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| pH | 7.284839 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Sodium | 55.5 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 71.642857 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Temperature | 12.605376 | degrees C | No limit | Measured |
| Total Coliforms | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 189.285714 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.056833 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.257957 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.012417 | 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 (12.857143 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 7.284839 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 0.863333 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.606559 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 Macquarie Heads measures 0.606559 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
Macquarie Heads's water is soft at 12.857143 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.863333 mg/L in Macquarie Heads. 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 Macquarie Heads?
How hard is the water in Macquarie Heads?
What water utility supplies Macquarie Heads?
Does Macquarie Heads water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Macquarie Heads?
What is the population of Macquarie Heads?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- TasWater
- Supply Zone
- Strahan
- Data Source
- TasWater — Strahan
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 8.6 and 10.0
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Macquarie Heads'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 Macquarie Heads
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Macquarie Heads, TAS
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
12.857143 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Tasmania water quality
State coverage
TasWater
Water utility
Compare with Strathgordon
Macquarie Heads vs Strathgordon
Compare with Gormanston
Macquarie Heads vs Gormanston
Compare with Strahan
Macquarie Heads vs Strahan
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.