Burwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
137.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.21
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 Burwood, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Burwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Burwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burwood, Victoria | 67.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mount Waverley, Victoria | 119 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Burwood East, Victoria | 49.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Box Hill, Victoria | 110 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Blackburn South, Victoria | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Burwood compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Burwood | 67.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Burwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Burwood's drinking water is supplied by Yarra Valley Water as water retailer, with bulk supply from Melbourne Water incorporating a moderate Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution for the City of Whitehorse LGA eastern Melbourne distribution in Victoria. Water hardness in Burwood is measured at 67.5 mg/L — classified as slightly hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Burwood, in the Whitehorse LGA — a well-established eastern Melbourne suburb adjacent to the Box Hill corridor, known for the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, the Deakin University Burwood Campus, the Gardiners Creek linear park, and the popular Burke Road shopping strip — receives slightly elevated supply consistent with a moderate Winneke WTP proportion across Yarra Valley Water's eastern Melbourne distribution network.
Burwood's slightly elevated hardness reflects a moderate Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution at the eastern Whitehorse distribution sub-zone. The Winneke plant draws from the Yarra River at Yering Gorge — traversing Devonian basalt terrain — contributing moderate calcium relative to the soft Yarra Ranges direct reservoir supply. The Burwood eastern Whitehorse distribution at 67.5 mg/L and TDS 137.4 mg/L reflects the blend proportion typical of Yarra Valley Water's middle eastern Melbourne distribution ring, positioned between the near-pure soft outer eastern reservoir supply zones and the higher Winneke blend of the inner western zones.
Burwood residents can expect occasional moderate limescale on taps 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 older Burwood properties. Yarra Valley Water provides water quality information at yvw.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. The Deakin University campus and the Burwood Brickworks commercial precinct benefit from water quality meeting all ADWG safe drinking standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Yarra Valley Water (water retailer) and Melbourne Water (wholesale) incorporating a moderate Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution — the Burwood Whitehorse eastern Melbourne supply carries slightly hard water at 67.5 mg/L, consistent with a moderate Winneke WTP proportion at this eastern Whitehorse Melbourne distribution sub-zone.