Tap Water Quality in South Forest, TAS
Postcode 7330 · Supplied by TasWater via Smithton
Quality Score
About South Forest
South Forest is a suburb of 100 residents in Tasmania (postcode 7330). The median age is 43. It falls within the TasWater area. Neighbouring suburbs include Alcomie, Arthur River, Brittons Swamp, Broadmeadows.
Most residents own outright (38%), while 31% own their home with a mortgage, while 9% rent. The median household income is $74,724 per year.
Tap water in South Forest is supplied by TasWater. The suburb receives water via the Smithton supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on recent water quality reports, South Forest achieves a WaterScore of 9.5 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 67.666667 mg/L, classified as moderately hard. This may cause light mineral deposits on fixtures over time. The pH level is 7.241299, which is within the ADWG guideline range of 6.5–8.5. The water is fluoridated at 0.926667 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 0.439394 mg/L — well within the ADWG guideline of 5 mg/L. Total dissolved solids (TDS) measure 170.555556 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.409481 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: Alcomie , Arthur River , Brittons Swamp
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Owner-occupied
Recommended filters for South Forest
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
A reliable marella 2.4l fridge water filter jug (maxtra+) suitable for South Forest's water profile.
ZeroWater
2.8L 5-Stage Jug (PFAS + Fluoride + Lead, IAPMO Certified)
4.2 · 5,315 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 2.8l 5-stage jug (pfas + fluoride + lead, iapmo certified) suitable for South Forest's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
A reliable 8.5l stainless steel gravity system suitable for South Forest's water profile.
Comparison
How South Forest compares
Compared to Tasmania and national averages
| Metric | South Forest | TAS Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 67.666667 mg/L | 34.8 mg/L | 85.1 mg/L |
| pH | 7.241299 | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| Fluoride | 0.926667 mg/L | 0.9 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.439394 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.409481 NTU | 0.3 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 170.555556 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 | 24.722222 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.0275 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Ammonia | 0.002778 | 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 | 18.833333 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 39.666667 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.439394 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 0.667222 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Chromium | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Colour | 2.388889 | Pt-Co | < 15 | Good |
| Conductivity | 283.333333 | uS/cm | No limit | Measured |
| Copper | 0.018 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| Cyanide | 0.005 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| E. coli | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.926667 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 67.666667 | mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.013125 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.001375 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 5.533333 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.006 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Mercury | 0.0001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nickel | 0.001 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Nitrate | 0.352222 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Nitrite | 0.002 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| pH | 7.241299 | pH units | 6.5 – 8.5 | Normal |
| Sodium | 24.333333 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 43.222222 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Temperature | 14.305455 | degrees C | No limit | Measured |
| Total Coliforms | 0 | MPN/100ml | < 0 | Compliant |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 170.555556 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.098333 | mg/L | < 0.25 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.409481 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
| Zinc | 0.017 | 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
Moderately hard (67.666667 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.
Normal Range
pH Level
pH of 7.241299 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 0.926667 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.439394 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 South Forest measures 0.439394 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
South Forest's water is moderately hard at 67.666667 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.926667 mg/L in South Forest. 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 South Forest's water data is updated.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in South Forest?
How hard is the water in South Forest?
What water utility supplies South Forest?
Does South Forest water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for South Forest?
What is the population of South Forest?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- TasWater
- Supply Zone
- Smithton
- Data Source
- TasWater — Smithton
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
South Forest'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 South Forest
Related
Explore more
Related pages for South Forest, TAS
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
67.666667 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
Tasmania water quality
State coverage
TasWater
Water utility
Compare with Alcomie
South Forest vs Alcomie
Compare with Arthur River
South Forest vs Arthur River
Compare with Brittons Swamp
South Forest vs Brittons Swamp
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.