Carnegie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
28.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.05
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 Carnegie, your appliances are currently losing 2% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Carnegie | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 13 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -1% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Carnegie compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Carnegie, Victoria | 17 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Malvern East, Victoria | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bentleigh East, Victoria | 73.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Glen Iris, Victoria | 51 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Caulfield South, Victoria | 68.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Carnegie compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Carnegie | 17 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Carnegie's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Carnegie's drinking water is supplied by South East Water as water retailer, with bulk supply from Melbourne Water drawn predominantly from the Thomson Reservoir and Upper Yarra Reservoir catchments in the Yarra Ranges, Victoria. Water hardness in Carnegie is measured at 17 mg/L — classified as very soft — far below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Carnegie, in the Glen Eira LGA — a popular inner southern Melbourne suburb of tree-lined streets and the Carnegie Library and Community Centre — receives predominantly direct Yarra Ranges reservoir supply, remarkably softer than adjacent Bentleigh (74 mg/L) just a few kilometres north within the same Glen Eira LGA, confirming the fine sub-zone supply blend variation across the South East Water inner south distribution network.
Carnegie's very soft supply reflects a distribution sub-zone that receives predominantly direct Thomson and Upper Yarra reservoir supply with minimal Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution. The Thomson and Upper Yarra storages drain across Devonian granite and rhyodacite — highly resistant igneous terrain contributing negligible dissolved minerals. The Carnegie inner south Glen Eira distribution node at 17 mg/L and TDS 28.6 mg/L receives one of the softest supplies in the inner southern Melbourne metropolitan corridor, contrasting dramatically with the adjacent Bentleigh sub-zone's 74 mg/L, which receives a proportionally higher Winneke WTP fraction.
Carnegie residents enjoy essentially no limescale accumulation on taps, in kettles, and around shower fittings — descaling is an infrequent task. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale. The very low lead reading (0.001 mg/L) confirms excellent supply quality. South East Water provides water quality information at southeastwater.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Carnegie's soft, low-mineral supply benefits its active community of residents and businesses along Koornang Road and the Carnegie Village precinct.
Geology & Source: Supplied by South East Water (water retailer) and Melbourne Water (wholesale) predominantly from the Thomson Reservoir and Upper Yarra catchment systems — the Carnegie Glen Eira inner south supply carries very soft water at 17 mg/L with low TDS of 28.6 mg/L, notably softer than adjacent Bentleigh (74 mg/L) in the same Glen Eira LGA, confirming sub-zone variation within the inner southern Glen Eira Melbourne distribution network.