Glebe Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
203 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.33
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 Glebe, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Glebe | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Glebe compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glebe, New South Wales | 103 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pyrmont, New South Wales | 88.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Camperdown, New South Wales | 59.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Newtown, New South Wales | 121 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Balmain, New South Wales | 192.5 mg/L | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Glebe compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glebe | 103 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Glebe's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Glebe's drinking water is supplied by Sydney Water, treated at the Prospect Water Filtration Plant with a moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean component for the City of Sydney LGA inner western distribution in New South Wales. Water hardness in Glebe is measured at 103 mg/L — classified as slightly hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Glebe — a historically significant and culturally vibrant inner western Sydney suburb in the City of Sydney LGA, known for the Glebe Markets on Glebe Point Road, the Glebe Point Road café, bookshop, and restaurant strip, the Federation-era terrace houses and heritage character of the Glebe Estate, and the diverse residential community adjacent to the University of Sydney — receives slightly elevated supply intermediate within the dramatic City of Sydney LGA supply variation, reflecting a moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean proportion in the inner western Glebe distribution sub-zone.
Glebe's slightly elevated hardness reflects a moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean component in the inner western City of Sydney Prospect distribution blend. The Hawkesbury-Nepean system traverses Cumberland Plain alluvial terrain and Triassic carbonate-cemented Hawkesbury Sandstone deposits contributing moderate dissolved calcium before Prospect treatment. The Glebe City of Sydney inner western distribution at 103 mg/L and TDS 203 mg/L is intermediate within the dramatic City of Sydney LGA supply range — harder than the soft Redfern sub-zone (60 mg/L) but substantially softer than the very hard Darlinghurst (197 mg/L) and Zetland (168 mg/L) sub-zones — confirming the moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean proportion at the inner western Glebe distribution routing.
Glebe residents can expect occasional moderate limescale on taps and in kettles — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems benefit from periodic inspection. The low lead reading (0.003 mg/L) is good. Sydney Water provides water quality information at sydneywater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Glebe's Glebe Point Road community and the University of Sydney precinct benefit from a safe supply meeting all ADWG standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Sydney Water via the Prospect Water Filtration Plant with a moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean component — the Glebe City of Sydney inner western supply carries slightly hard water at 103 mg/L with TDS of 203 mg/L, intermediate within the dramatic City of Sydney LGA range (Redfern 60 mg/L to Darlinghurst 197 mg/L), reflecting a moderate Hawkesbury-Nepean proportion at the inner western Glebe City of Sydney distribution sub-zone.