Leichhardt 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
220 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.35
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 Leichhardt, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Leichhardt | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -21% |
| Water Heater | 11.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Leichhardt compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Leichhardt, New South Wales | 110 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Camperdown, New South Wales | 59.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Marrickville, New South Wales | 167 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Newtown, New South Wales | 121 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Dulwich Hill, New South Wales | 172.5 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Leichhardt compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Leichhardt | 110 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Leichhardt's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Leichhardt's drinking water is supplied by Sydney Water, treated at the Prospect Water Filtration Plant with a significant Hawkesbury-Nepean component for the Inner West LGA inner western Sydney distribution in New South Wales. Water hardness in Leichhardt is measured at 110 mg/L — classified as moderately hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Leichhardt — the heart of Sydney's Italian community on Norton Street, known as 'Little Italy' for its celebrated Italian cafés, restaurants, and the Norton Plaza shopping centre, adjacent to Glebe and adjacent to the Iron Cove waterway — receives supply with a notable Hawkesbury-Nepean component, harder than expected for this inner western Sydney location.
Leichhardt's moderately elevated hardness reflects the significant Hawkesbury-Nepean component in the Inner West LGA inner western Prospect distribution blend. The Hawkesbury-Nepean system traverses Cumberland Plain alluvial terrain and Triassic carbonate-cemented sedimentary deposits — dissolving substantial calcium bicarbonate before Prospect treatment. The Leichhardt Inner West inner western distribution sub-zone at 110 mg/L and TDS 220 mg/L receives a proportionally higher Hawkesbury-Nepean fraction than standard inner eastern Sydney zones, consistent with the broader Inner West LGA supply blend (Newtown 121 mg/L, Concord 120 mg/L) in the harder inner western Sydney supply corridor.
Leichhardt residents face moderate limescale build-up on taps, shower screens, and in kettles — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems benefit from periodic inspection. The elevated lead reading (0.003 mg/L) warrants briefly running the cold tap before use in Leichhardt's many older terrace homes. Sydney Water provides water quality information at sydneywater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. The Norton Street Italian restaurant and café community benefits from a supply meeting all ADWG safe drinking standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Sydney Water via the Prospect Water Filtration Plant with a significant Hawkesbury-Nepean component — the Leichhardt Inner West LGA inner western Sydney supply carries moderately hard water at 110 mg/L with TDS of 220 mg/L, reflecting the elevated Hawkesbury-Nepean proportion in the Inner West LGA inner western Sydney supply corridor.