Goulburn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
107.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.19
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 Goulburn, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Goulburn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -11% |
| Washing Machine | 11.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -5% |
| Water Heater | 13.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -12% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Goulburn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Goulburn, New South Wales | 60.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory | 39.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Bowral, New South Wales | 187.5 mg/L | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 25 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Kambah, Australian Capital Territory | 30 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Goulburn compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Goulburn | 60.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Goulburn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Goulburn's drinking water is supplied by Goulburn Mulwaree Council Water, drawn from Pejar Dam on Tarlo River and supplementary storages in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Water hardness in Goulburn is measured at 60.5 mg/L — classified as soft — well within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Goulburn, the historic wool capital of New South Wales at the junction of the Hume and Federal Highways, receives clean Southern Tablelands catchment supply from the Tarlo and Wollondilly river systems, with softness reflecting the region's predominantly granitic catchment geology.
Goulburn's soft supply traces to the geology of the Tarlo River catchment behind Pejar Dam. The Tarlo and surrounding Southern Tablelands catchments drain through Devonian granite and metamorphic terrain of the Great Dividing Range foothills, alongside Ordovician volcanics and marine sedimentary sequences of the Lachlan Fold Belt. These relatively chemically resistant formations contribute modest dissolved mineral content, producing supply considerably softer than the inland NSW cities on carbonate-rich terrain like Bathurst (163 mg/L), reflecting the Southern Tablelands' predominantly igneous and siliceous bedrock geology.
Goulburn residents benefit from low limescale accumulation on taps, in kettles, and around shower fittings — descaling every two to three months is generally adequate. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale throughout their service life. Goulburn Mulwaree Council publishes annual water quality reports with all ADWG health standards consistently met. A benchtop filter is a popular option for improved taste from the soft Goulburn supply, and the low-mineral water is beneficial for the region's wool processing and agricultural industries historically centred on this Southern Tablelands city.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Goulburn Mulwaree Council Water from Pejar Dam on Tarlo River and associated storages in the Southern Tablelands — water draining through Devonian granite and metamorphic terrain of the Tarlo catchment and Ordovician volcanic formations of the Southern Tablelands produces soft supply at 60.5 mg/L for the historic wool and pastoral city south-west of Sydney.