Tap Water Quality in Mount Cotton, QLD
Postcode 4165 · Supplied by Seqwater via Redland
Quality Score
About Mount Cotton
Mount Cotton is a suburb of 7,302 residents in Queensland (postcode 4165). The median age is 34. It falls within the Seqwater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Cornubia, Sheldon, Shailer Park, Point Halloran.
Most residents own their home with a mortgage (66%), while 19% own outright, while 14% rent. The median household income is $137,280 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (34%), New Zealand (22%), and South Africa (13%).
Tap water in Mount Cotton is supplied by Seqwater. The suburb receives water via the Redland supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, Mount Cotton achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 70.2 mg/L, classified as moderately hard. This may cause light mineral deposits on fixtures over time. The water is fluoridated at 0.85 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 1.3 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 0.4 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: Cornubia , Sheldon , Shailer Park
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Mount Cotton
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Mount Cotton — 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 Mount Cotton's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Mount Cotton — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Mount Cotton compares
Compared to Queensland and national averages
| Metric | Mount Cotton | QLD Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 70.2 mg/L | 76.3 mg/L | 85.3 mg/L |
| pH | — | 6.2 | 7.8 |
| Fluoride | 0.85 mg/L | 0.8 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 1.3 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.4 NTU | 0.3 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | — | — | 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 | 0.85 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 1.3 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 1.3 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Arsenic | 0.0005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Cadmium | 0.0001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chromium | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Copper | 0.001 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Lead | 0.001 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.003 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Mercury | 0.0001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nickel | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| E. coli | 0 | CFU/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.07390000000000001 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Chloride | 51.6 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Hardness | 70.2 | mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Sodium | 24.7 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.042 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Iron | 0.02 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Colour | 1 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.4 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Calcium | 19.3 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Magnesium | 5.22 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Alkalinity | 34.8 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Conductivity | 278.9 | µS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Temperature | 25.5 | °C | No limit | Measured |
| Chlorate | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Ndma | 0.003 | µg/L | No limit | Measured |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 28 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
Moderately hard (70.2 mg/L)
Water Hardness
Your water is moderately hard. You may notice light limescale deposits on kettle elements and taps over time. Soap lathers reasonably well, though slightly more product may be needed. Skin and hair are generally unaffected, and appliance lifespan should not be significantly reduced at this level.
Data unavailable
pH Level
pH data is not currently available for Mount Cotton.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.85 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 1.3 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
Reduce Chlorine Taste
Mount Cotton's chlorine level is 1.3 mg/L. An activated carbon jug filter or benchtop unit can noticeably reduce chlorine taste and odour from tap water.
Soft Water Advantage
Mount Cotton's water is moderately hard at 70.2 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.85 mg/L in Mount Cotton. 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 Mount Cotton?
How hard is the water in Mount Cotton?
What water utility supplies Mount Cotton?
Does Mount Cotton water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Mount Cotton?
What is the population of Mount Cotton?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Seqwater
- Supply Zone
- Redland
- Data Source
- Seqwater — Redland
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
Mount Cotton'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 Brisbane and South East Queensland
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Mount Cotton
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 Mount Cotton, QLD [Data set]. Compiled from Seqwater data (annual report). https://waterscore.com.au/water-quality/mount-cotton-qld/
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Related
Explore more
Related pages for Mount Cotton, QLD
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
70.2 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Queensland water quality
State coverage
Seqwater
Water utility
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Mount Cotton vs Cornubia
Compare with Sheldon
Mount Cotton vs Sheldon
Compare with Shailer Park
Mount Cotton vs Shailer Park
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 Seqwater (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.