Woonona Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
335.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.48
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 Woonona, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Woonona | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Woonona compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woonona, New South Wales | 153 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wollongong, New South Wales | 35 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Wollongong city centre, New South Wales | 79.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Figtree, New South Wales | 60 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dapto, New South Wales | 20.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Woonona compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woonona | 153 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Woonona's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Woonona's drinking water is supplied by Wollongong City Council Water, drawing from Avon Dam and Cordeaux Dam on the Illawarra Plateau via the Illawarra Water Supply Scheme and treated at the Avon Water Treatment Plant for the Wollongong City LGA northern distribution in New South Wales. Water hardness in Woonona is measured at 153 mg/L — classified as moderately hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Woonona — a northern Wollongong suburb on the Illawarra escarpment coastal corridor adjacent to Bulli, known for the Woonona Beach and Shark Island sea pool, the Princes Highway shops and café strip, the Woonona-Bulli RSL and bowling club precinct, and the scenic coastal residential character of the northern Illawarra community — receives moderately hard supply from the Illawarra Water Supply Scheme.
Woonona's moderately hard supply reflects the Avon and Cordeaux River catchment geology on the Illawarra Plateau. While the upper Illawarra terrain drains Hawkesbury Sandstone — generally producing soft supply — the Cordeaux and Avon catchments also traverse Permian coal measures and carbonate-bearing sedimentary sequences of the Illawarra Coalfield, contributing moderate dissolved calcium, magnesium, and carbonates to the Illawarra Water Supply Scheme blend. The Woonona Illawarra distribution at 153 mg/L and TDS 335.4 mg/L reflects the moderately hard Illawarra supply character from the combined Avon-Cordeaux catchment geology.
Woonona residents can expect moderate-to-significant limescale build-up on taps and in kettles — descaling every four to six weeks is typical. Hot water systems benefit from regular inspection. The elevated lead reading (0.004 mg/L) warrants briefly running the cold tap before use. Wollongong City Council provides water quality information at wollongong.nsw.gov.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Woonona's northern Illawarra beach community and the Bulli coastal corridor benefit from a safe supply meeting all ADWG standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Wollongong City Council Water from Avon Dam and Cordeaux Dam on the Illawarra Plateau via the Illawarra Water Supply Scheme — the Woonona Wollongong northern supply carries moderately hard water at 153 mg/L with TDS of 335.4 mg/L, reflecting the moderately mineralised character of the Illawarra Hawkesbury Sandstone and Permian coal measures catchment terrain of the Avon and Cordeaux River systems.