Kelso Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
90.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.13
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 Kelso, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kelso | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -4% |
| Washing Machine | 12.1 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14 yrs | 15 yrs | -7% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kelso compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kelso, Queensland | 41 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Kirwan, Queensland | 45 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Townsville, Queensland | 65 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Bowen, Queensland | 139 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Edmonton, Queensland | 76.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Kelso compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kelso | 41 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kelso's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kelso's drinking water is supplied by Townsville City Council, drawing from Ross River Dam on the Ross River and Burdekin Falls Dam via the Haughton Pipeline for the Townsville City Council LGA distribution in North Queensland. Water hardness in Kelso is measured at 41 mg/L — classified as soft — well below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Kelso — a residential suburb of Townsville in the Townsville City Council LGA adjacent to Condon and Cranbrook, known as part of the southern Townsville residential community serving the Bohle Plains corridor, and the Townsville City community at the gateway to the Wet Tropics and Charters Towers pastoral district in North Queensland — receives soft supply consistent with the soft character of the Townsville City Council bulk supply from the Burdekin and Ross River systems.
Kelso's soft supply reflects the predominantly soft character of the upper Burdekin River and Ross River Dam catchment geology in the Townsville water supply system. The Burdekin Falls Dam catchment drains the upper Burdekin River headwaters traversing Mount Garnet–Atherton Tablelands metamorphic and granitic terrain of North Queensland — highly resistant geological formations contributing minimal dissolved minerals to the supply. At 41 mg/L and TDS 90.5 mg/L, Kelso's supply is genuinely soft for a regional north Queensland city, reflecting the soft rainforest and granite headwater character of the Burdekin and Ross River catchment supply feeding the Townsville distribution network.
Kelso residents enjoy low limescale accumulation on taps and in kettles — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale. The very low lead reading (0.001 mg/L) is excellent. Under Queensland water restrictions, outdoor watering is regulated. Townsville City Council provides water quality information at townsville.qld.gov.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Kelso's southern Townsville community benefits from this soft supply meeting all ADWG standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Townsville City Council from Ross River Dam and Burdekin Falls Dam via the Haughton Pipeline — the Kelso Townsville City supply carries soft water at 41 mg/L with low TDS of 90.5 mg/L, reflecting the soft character of the upper Burdekin River and Mount Garnet catchment geology supplying Townsville, with the soft rainforest and headwater granitic terrain contributing minimal dissolved minerals to the supply.