Grafton 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
98.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.18
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 Grafton, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Grafton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -8% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Grafton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton, New South Wales | 56 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Coffs Harbour, New South Wales | 136 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Casino, New South Wales | 30.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Goonellabah, New South Wales | 69.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Figtree, New South Wales | 77.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Grafton compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grafton | 56 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Grafton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Grafton's drinking water is supplied by Clarence Valley Council Water, drawing from the Clarence River and local tributary catchments on the Northern Rivers plain in New South Wales. Water hardness in Grafton is measured at 56 mg/L — classified as soft — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Grafton — New South Wales's jacaranda city, famous for the October Jacaranda Festival and elegant tree-lined Victorian streetscapes — benefits from a soft supply characteristic of the upper Clarence River's New England Tablelands granite catchment, softened by the weathering-resistant igneous and metamorphic geology of the headwater catchments.
Grafton's soft supply reflects the New England Tablelands granite and metamorphic geology of the upper Clarence River system. The Clarence River headwaters drain across the New England Fold Belt — ancient Devonian–Carboniferous granites, metamorphic schists, and Mesozoic intrusives of the New England Batholith — which are highly resistant to chemical weathering and contribute negligible dissolved minerals to surface runoff. The coastal-flowing Clarence River system accumulates minimal mineral loading as it descends from the New England Plateau through the Clarence Gorge to the coastal plains at Grafton.
Grafton residents enjoy low limescale accumulation on taps, in kettles, and around shower fittings — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale. Clarence Valley Council provides water quality information online, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. The soft supply is well suited to Grafton's agricultural community on the Clarence River floodplain, and the city's heritage homes along the riverfront benefit from low mineral loading on household plumbing infrastructure.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Clarence Valley Council Water from the Clarence River system and local catchment impoundments in the Northern Rivers region — the Grafton supply carries soft water at 56 mg/L, characteristic of the New England Tablelands granite and metamorphic terrain of the upper Clarence River catchment that produces the low-mineral, soft surface water typical of northern NSW highland river systems.