Ngunnawal Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Ngunnawal's drinking water is supplied by Icon Water (ACT government-owned utility), drawing from Corin Dam and Bendora Dam on the Cotter River and the Googong Reservoir on the Queanbeyan River for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Gungahlin district distribution in the ACT. Water hardness in Ngunnawal is measured at 39.5 mg/L — classified as soft — well below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Ngunnawal — a family-friendly residential suburb in the Gungahlin district of Canberra in the northern ACT, known for the Ngunnawal community sporting and recreational hub on the Gold Creek corridor, the Gungahlin–Ngunnawal residential estate community, the close proximity to the Gungahlin Town Centre retail and civic precinct, and the outer northern Canberra residential growth area of the Gungahlin district — receives soft supply consistent with the broadly soft character of the ACT Icon Water supply from the Brindabella Range mountain catchments.

Ngunnawal's soft supply reflects the predominantly soft character of the Cotter River Catchment reservoir geology supplying the ACT via Icon Water. The Corin Dam and Bendora Dam on the Cotter River drain the Brindabella Range — predominantly granodiorite, granite, and metamorphic gneiss terrain of the Lachlan Fold Belt — chemically resistant rock types that contribute minimal dissolved minerals to rainfall runoff. The Googong Reservoir on the Queanbeyan River supplements supply with similarly low mineralisation. At 39.5 mg/L and TDS 94.3 mg/L, the Ngunnawal ACT supply is soft, reflecting the naturally soft character of the Brindabella Range mountain water supply.

Ngunnawal residents enjoy very low limescale accumulation on taps and in kettles — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale. The elevated lead reading (0.005 mg/L) warrants briefly running the cold tap before drinking or cooking. Icon Water provides water quality information at iconwater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Ngunnawal's Gungahlin district community benefits from this soft supply meeting all ADWG standards.