Altona North Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
93.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.16
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 Altona North, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Altona North | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -6% |
| Washing Machine | 11.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -2% |
| Water Heater | 13.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -9% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Altona North compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Altona North, Victoria | 49 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Newport, Victoria | 70.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Altona, Victoria | 42 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| West Footscray, Victoria | 20.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Sunshine West, Victoria | 20.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Altona North compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Altona North | 49 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Altona North's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Altona North's drinking water is supplied by City West Water as water retailer, with bulk supply from Melbourne Water incorporating a low Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution for the Hobsons Bay City LGA inner western coastal Melbourne distribution in Victoria. Water hardness in Altona North is measured at 49 mg/L — classified as soft — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Altona North, in the Hobsons Bay LGA — an inner western Melbourne suburb known for the Port of Altona industrial precinct, the Altona Gate Shopping Centre, the Kororoit Creek parkland corridor, and the residential character adjacent to the Laverton and Altona railway lines — receives the softest supply in the Hobsons Bay LGA, substantially below Williamstown (117.5 mg/L) and Newport (70.5 mg/L) in the same LGA.
Altona North's soft supply reflects a proportionally low Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution at this inner western coastal Hobsons Bay City West Water distribution sub-zone. The Winneke plant draws from the Yarra River at Yering Gorge traversing Devonian basalt terrain — but the Altona North coastal industrial sub-zone receives predominantly direct Thomson and Upper Yarra reservoir supply from Melbourne Water, with a lower Winneke blend fraction. The Altona North inner western Hobsons Bay distribution at 49 mg/L and TDS 93.4 mg/L reflects a predominantly soft Yarra Ranges reservoir supply with minimal Winneke blending in the coastal distribution routing.
Altona North 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. The elevated lead reading (0.003 mg/L) warrants briefly running the cold tap before use in older industrial-area properties. City West Water provides water quality information at citywestwater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Altona North's industrial and residential precinct community benefits from this soft, clean supply.
Geology & Source: Supplied by City West Water (water retailer) and Melbourne Water (wholesale) incorporating a low Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution — the Altona North Hobsons Bay inner western Melbourne coastal industrial supply carries soft water at 49 mg/L, reflecting a low Winneke WTP proportion at this inner western coastal Hobsons Bay City West Water sub-zone, substantially softer than Williamstown (117.5 mg/L) and Newport (70.5 mg/L) in the same Hobsons Bay LGA.