Tuggeranong Administrative District Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
85.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.12
energy & soap waste
Source: BOM National Performance Report & ADWG · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Tuggeranong Administrative District, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Tuggeranong Administrative District | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -1% |
| Washing Machine | 12.2 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -6% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Tuggeranong Administrative District compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tuggeranong Administrative District, Australian Capital Territory | 37 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Kambah, Australian Capital Territory | 30 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 25 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory | 39.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Goulburn, New South Wales | 60.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Tuggeranong Administrative District compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tuggeranong Administrative District | 37 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Tuggeranong Administrative District's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Tuggeranong's drinking water is supplied by Icon Water, drawn from the Cotter Dam and Corin Dam on the Cotter River, and the Googong Reservoir on the Queanbeyan River in the Australian Capital Territory — the same integrated supply that serves the broader Canberra metropolitan area. Water hardness in Tuggeranong is measured at 37 mg/L — classified as soft — significantly below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Tuggeranong's hardness is slightly higher than the Canberra city average (25 mg/L), reflecting the longer distribution pipeline path to this southern suburban district.
Tuggeranong's soft water stems from the same catchment geology as the broader Canberra supply. The Brindabella Ranges catchments filter water through Ordovician granodiorite and rhyodacite tuff — igneous and metamorphic rocks that resist chemical weathering and contribute negligible calcium, magnesium, or bicarbonate. The slight hardness increase versus the CBD results from the extended distribution network through additional pipe infrastructure to Tuggeranong's southern suburbs, which can pick up trace mineral content along the way.
Tuggeranong residents enjoy low limescale accumulation — tap fittings and shower screens rarely require more than occasional descaling, and kettles stay essentially scale-free for months at a time. Hot water systems accumulate negligible scale throughout their service life, reducing maintenance costs. Some residents choose to install a whole-house carbon filter to address taste preferences, as the soft, low-TDS supply can occasionally seem slightly flat. Icon Water provides water quality information at iconwater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met throughout the Tuggeranong district.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Icon Water from the Cotter Dam and Googong Reservoir in the ACT highlands — water draining through ancient Ordovician granodiorite and rhyodacite tuff in the Brindabella Ranges dissolves almost no minerals, producing very soft supply at 37 mg/L, consistent with the broader Canberra distribution.