Tap Water Quality in Spectacle Lake, SA
Postcode 5345 · Supplied by SA Water via Barmera
Quality Score
About Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake is a suburb of 5 residents in South Australia (postcode 5345). The median age is 34. It falls within the SA Water area. Neighbouring suburbs include Loveday, Cobdogla, Barmera, Hawks Nest Station.
Most residents own their home with a mortgage (0%), while 0% own outright, while 0% rent. The median household income is $37,700 per year.
Tap water in Spectacle Lake is supplied by SA Water. The suburb receives water via the Barmera supply zone.
Water quality summary
Based on 2025 water quality reports, Spectacle Lake achieves a WaterScore of 9.6 out of 10, rated excellent overall. Water hardness measures 73 mg/L, classified as moderately hard. This may cause light mineral deposits on fixtures over time. The water is fluoridated at 0.8 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 0.9 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 224 mg/L, considered low against the ADWG guideline of 600 mg/L. Turbidity is 0.1 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.
Census Data
Suburb snapshot
Population
Median Age
Median Income
Recommended filters for Spectacle Lake
Products matched to your water profile
BRITA
Marella 2.4L Fridge Water Filter Jug (Maxtra+)
4.7 · 16,095 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Spectacle Lake — 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 Spectacle Lake's water profile.
Purewell
8.5L Stainless Steel Gravity System
4.4 · 1,137 ratings on Amazon
Ideal for Spectacle Lake — removes chlorine taste and odour.
Comparison
How Spectacle Lake compares
Compared to South Australia and national averages
| Metric | Spectacle Lake | SA Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 73 mg/L | 119.3 mg/L | 80.3 mg/L |
| pH | — | 8.6 | 7.8 |
| Fluoride | 0.8 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L |
| Chlorine | 0.9 mg/L | — | — |
| Turbidity | 0.1 NTU | 0.1 NTU | 0.4 NTU |
| TDS | 224 mg/L | 341.5 mg/L | 267.4 mg/L |
Full Results
Detailed water quality data
All values compared against Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
| Parameter | Value | Unit | ADWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkalinity | 54 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Aluminium | 0.018 | mg/L | < 0.2 | Good |
| Calcium | 13.9 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Chloride | 60 | mg/L | < 250 | Good |
| Free Chlorine | 0.9 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Total Chlorine | 1.1 | mg/L | < 5 | Good |
| Colour | 1 | HU | < 15 | Good |
| Copper | 0.0269 | mg/L | < 2 | Good |
| E. coli | 0 | cfu/100mL | < 0 | Compliant |
| Fluoride | 0.8 | mg/L | < 1.5 | Good |
| Hardness | 73 | PPM or mg/L | < 200 | Good |
| Iron | 0.0119 | mg/L | < 0.3 | Good |
| Lead | 0.0002 | mg/L | < 0.01 | Good |
| Magnesium | 9.37 | mg/L | No limit | Measured |
| Manganese | 0.0021 | mg/L | < 0.1 | Good |
| Nitrate | 0.42 | mg/L | < 50 | Good |
| Sodium | 48 | mg/L | < 180 | Good |
| Sulfate | 43.7 | mg/L | < 500 | Good |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 224 | mg/L | < 600 | Good |
| Turbidity | 0.1 | NTU | < 5 | Good |
Safety
Safety assessment
Based on 20 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 (73 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 Spectacle Lake.
Fluoridated
Fluoride
Fluoride at 0.8 mg/L. Within the recommended 0.6–1.1 mg/L range for dental health.
Chlorine
Disinfection
Chlorine measured at 0.9 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 Spectacle Lake measures 0.9 mg/L, which is low. Filling a jug and letting it stand for 30 minutes will reduce any residual taste.
Soft Water Advantage
Spectacle Lake's water is moderately hard at 73 mg/L. You can use less soap and detergent, as it lathers easily with softer water.
Fluoride in Your Water
Fluoride measures 0.8 mg/L in Spectacle Lake. 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 Spectacle Lake's water data is updated.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Spectacle Lake?
How hard is the water in Spectacle Lake?
What water utility supplies Spectacle Lake?
Does Spectacle Lake water have fluoride?
What is the water quality score for Spectacle Lake?
What is the population of Spectacle Lake?
Supplier
Water utility
- Utility
- SA Water
- Supply Zone
- Barmera
- Data Source
- SA Water — water quality performance results november 2025
Nearby
Nearby suburbs
Same water utility, similar water quality
Similar Quality
Suburbs with similar water quality
Suburbs scoring between 8.6 and 10.0
Utility reports average the grid — not your home
Spectacle Lake'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 Adelaide and SA
In-depth articles on the water supply that serves Spectacle Lake
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 Spectacle Lake, SA [Data set]. Compiled from SA Water data (2025 report). https://waterscore.com.au/water-quality/spectacle-lake-sa/
Embed
Add Spectacle Lake, SA 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 Spectacle Lake, SA
Is tap water safe?
Safety assessment
Water hardness
73 mg/L
Best water filter
Filter recommendations
South Australia water quality
State coverage
SA Water
Water utility
Compare with Barmera
Spectacle Lake vs Barmera
Compare with Monash
Spectacle Lake vs Monash
Compare with Glossop
Spectacle Lake vs Glossop
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 SA Water (2025 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.