How does Burnie's water compare to the national average?

The Australia national average is 125 mg/L. Burnie (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 95 mg/L softer than average.

Burnie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

95.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

A$0.10

energy & soap waste

Source: BOM National Performance Report & ADWG · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 Burnie, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Burnie	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Burnie compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Burnie, Tasmania	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Devonport, Tasmania	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Launceston, Tasmania	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Glenorchy, Tasmania	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Hobart, Tasmania	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Burnie compares to the Australia average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Burnie	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
Australia National Avg	125 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Boronia Top Rated	5 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Burnie's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 95.3 mg/LpH: 7.1

The water for Burnie, Tasmania, comes from two primary sources managed by TasWater: the Emu River catchment and the reservoir system along the upper Inglis River. These sources feed into the local treatment facilities that prepare the water for distribution to residents. The TasWater system is designed to process surface water from these distinct river systems, ensuring a consistent supply.

This supply originates from the north-west Tasmanian highlands. The geology is dominated by Precambrian dolerite and Cambrian metamorphic terrain. This specific geological makeup is known for producing surface water with exceptionally low mineral content, characteristic of the region's natural water chemistry and typical for TasWater's infrastructure in this part of the state.

Because the water is very soft, homeowners might notice that soap and detergent lather more easily. While this can be a benefit for laundry and bathing, it also means that mineral buildup in appliances like kettles and coffee makers is less of a concern. You won't typically need a water softener for household use, and pipes are generally less prone to scale accumulation compared to areas with harder water supplies.

Geology & Source: Precambrian dolerite and Cambrian metamorphic terrain; low mineral content due to rock type

Other Tasmania Water Reports

Devonport

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Launceston

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Glenorchy

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Hobart

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burnie's water safe to drink?

Yes. Burnie's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Burnie?

Burnie's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Burnie compare to the Australia average?

The Australia national average is 125 mg/L. Burnie (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 95 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Boronia at just 5 mg/L.