Tap Water Quality in Ranken, NT
Postcode 4825 · Supplied by Power and Water Corporation via Elliott
Quality Score
About Ranken
Ranken is a suburb of 51 residents in Northern Territory (postcode 4825). The median age is 27. It falls within the Power and Water Corporation area. Neighbouring suburbs include Nicholson, Tablelands, Brunchilly, Calvert.
Most residents own outright (46%), while 0% own their home with a mortgage, while 0% rent. The median household income is $110,448 per year.
Tap water in Ranken is supplied by Power and Water Corporation. The suburb receives water via the Elliott supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2024 water quality reports, Ranken achieves a WaterScore of 8.7 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 453 mg/L, classified as very hard. Residents may notice limescale buildup on appliances and fixtures. The pH level is 7.8, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.78 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 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 142 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 1.2 NTU, within the ADWG guideline of 5 NTU.
Compare with nearby suburbs: Nicholson , Tablelands , Brunchilly
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
453/200 mg/L
336% above Northern Territory avg
432% above national avg
Recommended filters for Ranken
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 Ranken — reduces hardness from 453 mg/L, removes chlorine taste and odour.
YARNA
Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler (Whole House)
4 · 538 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Ranken — helps reduce limescale buildup from hard water (453 mg/L) without removing hardness minerals.
iSpring
Counter-top Drinking Water Filter
4.4 · 1,108 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Ranken — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Ranken compares
Compared to Northern Territory and national averages
| Metric | Ranken | NT Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 453 mg/L | 103.9 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.8 | 7.3 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.78 mg/L | 0.6 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 1 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 1.2 NTU | 1.2 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 142 mg/L | 35.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Chlorine | 1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Copper | 0.02 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Fluoride | 0.78 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Aluminium | 0.02 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Chloride | 162 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 2 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Hardness | 453 | mg/L CaCO3 | < 200 | Exceeds |
| Iron | 0.01 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Manganese | 0.005 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| pH | 7.8 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Sulfate | 0.003 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 142 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Turbidity | 1.2 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.29 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Alkalinity | 450 | mg/L CaCO3 | No limit | Measured |
| Calcium | 0.00025 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Conductivity | 7.7 | µS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Magnesium | 51 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
Safety
Safety assessment
Of 19 parameters tested, most fall within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines with 1 exception: Hardness at 453 mg/L CaCO3.
Based on comparison with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
Explained
What these numbers mean
Very hard (453 mg/L)
Water Hardness
Your water is very hard, meaning significant limescale buildup is likely on appliances, fixtures, and heating elements. Soap will struggle to lather, and you may notice dry skin or dull hair after washing. Regular descaling of kettles, dishwashers, and hot water systems is strongly recommended.
Normal Range
pH Level
pH of 7.8 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 0.78 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 1 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 Ranken measures 1 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Descale Appliances Regularly
With very hard water at 453 mg/L, descale your kettle, showerhead, and hot water system every few months using white vinegar to maintain efficiency.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.78 mg/L in Ranken. Australian guidelines allow up to 1.5 mg/L. This is added by utilities to support dental health in the community.
Sediment Filtration
Turbidity is 1.2 NTU in Ranken. A sediment pre-filter on your main line can help reduce fine particles and improve water clarity at the tap.
Get water quality alerts
We'll email you when Ranken's water data is updated.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Ranken?
How hard is the water in Ranken?
What water utility supplies Ranken?
Does Ranken water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Ranken?
What is the population of Ranken?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- Power and Water Corporation
- Supply Zone
- Elliott
- Data Source
- Power and Water Corporation — 2017 Power and Water Corporation Drinking Water Quality Report, Drinking Water Quality Report 2019 WEB, 2024 Power and Water Drinking Water Quality Report
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 7.7 and 9.7
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Ranken'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 Darwin and the NT
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Ranken
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Ranken, NT
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
453 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Northern Territory water quality
State coverage
Power and Water Corporation
Water utility
Compare with Nicholson
Ranken vs Nicholson
Compare with Tablelands
Ranken vs Tablelands
Compare with Brunchilly
Ranken vs Brunchilly
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 Power and Water Corporation (2024 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.