Tap Water Quality in Sheldon, QLD
Postcode 4157 · Supplied by Seqwater via Redland
Quality Score
About Sheldon
Sheldon is a suburb of 1,762 residents in Queensland (postcode 4157). The median age is 47. It falls within the Seqwater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Capalaba West, Mount Cotton, Burbank, Capalaba.
Most residents own outright (48%), while 44% own their home with a mortgage, while 5% rent. The median household income is $133,016 per year. The top countries of birth for residents are United Kingdom (31%), New Zealand (16%), and South Africa (12%).
Tap water in Sheldon is supplied by Seqwater. The suburb receives water via the Redland supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, Sheldon 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: Capalaba West , Mount Cotton , Burbank
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for Sheldon
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Sheldon — 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 Sheldon's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Sheldon — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Sheldon compares
Compared to Queensland and national averages
| Metric | Sheldon | 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 Sheldon.
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
Sheldon'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
Sheldon'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 Sheldon. 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
We'll email you when Sheldon's water data is updated.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Sheldon?
How hard is the water in Sheldon?
What water utility supplies Sheldon?
Does Sheldon water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Sheldon?
What is the population of Sheldon?
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
Sheldon'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 Sheldon
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 Sheldon, QLD [Data set]. Compiled from Seqwater data (annual report). https://waterscore.com.au/water-quality/sheldon-qld/
Embed
Add Sheldon, QLD water data to your website
For plumbers, filter suppliers, cafés and real estate agents. Paste this code into your page to show the badge below, which links back to this report.
Related
Explore more
Related pages for Sheldon, 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
Compare with Capalaba West
Sheldon vs Capalaba West
Compare with Mount Cotton
Sheldon vs Mount Cotton
Compare with Burbank
Sheldon vs Burbank
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.