Fairfield West Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Sydney Water supplies Fairfield West, NSW, Australia, serving over 5 million people across Greater Sydney including Fairfield City Council areas. Our water originates from surface catchments like Warragamba Dam, the primary source, along with Prospect Reservoir, Woronora Dam, and smaller reservoirs such as Cordeaux and Nepean. Treatment takes place at major facilities including the Prospect Water Filtration Plant, Woronora Water Filtration Plant, and Warragamba intake works. Here, processes like chlorination, fluoridation, and filtration are employed to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The catchment itself is situated in the Greater Sydney region, part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean watershed, characterized by sandstone plateaus and forested valleys.

The geology underpinning this supply is dominated by Triassic-age Hawkesbury Sandstone and clay-shale sequences belonging to the Wianamatta and Narrabeen Groups. Notably, there are no significant carbonate rocks like limestone in the area. This predominantly siliceous geology naturally results in soft water with a low mineral content. As rainwater filters through these inert sandstones, it picks up minimal amounts of calcium or magnesium. Organic substances from the surrounding eucalypt forests also contribute to the water's character, influencing its low mineralisation.

This soft water offers a clear advantage: it minimises the buildup of limescale, offering protection to appliances like kettles, washing machines, dishwashers, and hot water systems. You'll likely notice that plumbing fixtures remain cleaner with less residue, and soap lathers easily, which can be gentler on skin and hair. Because the water is naturally soft, a water softener isn't needed or recommended, and routine descaling is rarely required. Enjoy the benefits of this gentle water without the typical hardness-related maintenance concerns. While E. coli was detected at 1 org/100mL in some samples, other parameters including pH, TDS, turbidity, and fluoride are compliant with guidelines.