Why Test Your Water Quality?

Public water in Australia and most developed countries is treated and tested to strict standards. However, water quality can change between the treatment plant and your tap — old pipes, local lead service lines, or contamination events can affect water at the point of use. Testing is particularly relevant for homes with old pipes, bore water, rainwater tanks or well water.

Method 1: Check Your Annual Water Quality Report (Free)

  1. 1

    Find your water utility's report online

    Every Australian water utility publishes an annual water quality report. Search "[your city] water quality report" or "[your utility name] annual report". In Melbourne: South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, or City West Water depending on your location. Sydney: Sydney Water. Brisbane: Seqwater. These reports show all tested parameters including chlorine, fluoride, pH, bacteria, heavy metals and more.

  2. 2

    Compare results to Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

    The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) set health-based values for all parameters. Your utility's report shows both their measured values and the ADWG guideline value for comparison.

Method 2: Home Test Strips

  1. 3

    Buy a multi-parameter test strip kit

    Test strip kits ($15–40 from hardware stores, pool shops or online) test multiple parameters at once including: pH, hardness (calcium/magnesium), chlorine/chloramine, nitrates, bacteria (some kits), and iron. They are not as accurate as laboratory testing but give a good general picture.

  2. 4

    Collect a sample and test

    Run the cold tap for 30 seconds first to flush standing water from the pipe. Fill a clean glass. Dip the strip for the specified time (usually 1–2 seconds), remove and wait 1–2 minutes. Compare the colour changes to the chart on the kit.

Method 3: Laboratory Testing (Most Accurate)

For comprehensive or legally defensible results (rental properties, property purchase, bore water), use an accredited laboratory. Services like National Water Laboratories (nwl.com.au) or Watercare (watercare.com.au) offer residential water testing from about $50–200 depending on the parameters tested. Send a sample via the provided container and receive detailed results.

What to test for specificallyOld homes (pre-1970): test for lead. Rural properties with bore water: test for bacteria, nitrates, iron and pH. Rainwater tanks: test for bacteria and pH. Taste or smell concerns: test for chlorine, iron, manganese and bacteria. Pregnancy/infant households: test for nitrates and bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — Australian tap water is treated to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and is considered safe in all major cities. Some people prefer filtered water for taste (chlorine taste is common and harmless). Rural bore water and rainwater tanks require regular testing as they are not treated to the same standard as mains supply.
Brita and similar activated carbon filters reduce chlorine taste and odour, some heavy metals (lead, copper) and certain chemicals. They do not remove bacteria, nitrates, fluoride or most dissolved minerals. They are effective for improving taste on already-safe mains water, but not adequate for treating unsafe water sources like bore water.