Tap Water Quality in North Arm, QLD
Postcode 4561 · Supplied by Seqwater via Sunshine Coast
Quality Score
About North Arm
North Arm is a suburb of 734 residents in Queensland (postcode 4561). The median age is 44. It falls within the Seqwater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Bridges, Maroochy River, Ninderry, Valdora.
Most residents own their home with a mortgage (40%), while 35% own outright, while 18% rent. The median household income is $94,432 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (28%), New Zealand (26%), and Thailand (8%).
Tap water in North Arm is supplied by Seqwater. The suburb receives water via the Sunshine Coast supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, North Arm achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 52.3 mg/L, classified as soft. This is gentle on appliances and skin, with minimal limescale buildup expected. The water is fluoridated at 0.83 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 1.6 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. 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: Bridges , Maroochy River , Ninderry
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for North Arm
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for North Arm — removes chlorine taste and odour.
ZeroWater
2.8L 5-Stage Jug (IAPMO Certified: PFOA/PFOS + Lead)
4.2 · 5,315 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 2.8l 5-stage jug (iapmo certified: pfoa/pfos + lead) suitable for North Arm's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for North Arm — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How North Arm compares
Compared to Queensland and national averages
| Metric | North Arm | QLD Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 52.3 mg/L | 76.3 mg/L | 85.3 mg/L |
| pH | — | 6.2 | 7.8 |
| Fluoride | 0.83 mg/L | 0.8 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 1.6 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 | 0.83 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 1.6 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Monochloramine | 3.5 | mg/L | < 3 | Exceeds |
| Total Chlorine | 2.1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Bromate | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chlorate | 0.085 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| 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 | 0.001 | 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 |
| Nitrate | 0.052 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Nitrite | 0.004 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.0343 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Chloride | 26.6 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Hardness | 52.3 | mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Sodium | 16.3 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.008 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Iron | 0.01 | 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 | 12.6 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Magnesium | 5.25 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Alkalinity | 49 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Conductivity | 235.6 | µS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Temperature | 26.7 | °C | No limit | Measured |
| Ndma | 0.003 | µg/L | No limit | Measured |
Safety
Safety assessment
Of 32 parameters tested, most fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines with 1 exception: Monochloramine at 3.5 mg/L. 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 (52.3 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.
Data unavailable
pH Level
pH data is not currently available for North Arm.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.83 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 1.6 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
Reduce Chlorine Taste
North Arm's chlorine level is 1.6 mg/L. An activated carbon jug filter or benchtop unit can noticeably reduce chlorine taste and odour from tap water.
Soft Water Advantage
North Arm's water is soft at 52.3 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.83 mg/L in North Arm. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Get water quality alerts
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in North Arm?
How hard is the water in North Arm?
What water utility supplies North Arm?
Does North Arm water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for North Arm?
What is the population of North Arm?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Seqwater
- Supply Zone
- Sunshine Coast
- Data Source
- Seqwater — Sunshine Coast
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
North Arm'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 the Sunshine Coast and Noosa
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves North Arm
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 North Arm, QLD [Data set]. Compiled from Seqwater data (annual report). https://waterscore.com.au/water-quality/north-arm-qld/
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Related
Explore more
Related pages for North Arm, QLD
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
52.3 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Queensland water quality
State coverage
Seqwater
Water utility
Compare with Bridges
North Arm vs Bridges
Compare with Maroochy River
North Arm vs Maroochy River
Compare with Ninderry
North Arm vs Ninderry
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.