Frankston East Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

South East Water supplies Frankston East and surrounding areas in Melbourne's southeast suburbs of Victoria, Australia, serving over 1.6 million residents. Its water primarily comes from surface catchments within the Greater Yarra and Bunyip watersheds, with significant storage in Cardinia, Thomson, and Silvan Reservoirs. Raw water from these protected, forested areas, which experience minimal agricultural impact, is treated at facilities like the Frankston Water Treatment Plant. Processes there include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination before the water enters the extensive distribution network.

The geological landscape feeding this supply features Devonian granodiorites and Silurian sandstones in the higher catchment areas. Closer to Frankston East, the geology transitions to Quaternary Newer Volcanics basalts. These rock types are largely non-carbonate and, combined with acidic soils, lead to rainwater percolating through the bedrock without dissolving substantial amounts of calcium or magnesium. This geological makeup is responsible for the very soft water quality, characterized by low overall mineral content, typical for this region of Victoria.

Because the water is quite soft, homeowners in Frankston East will notice very little scale buildup on pipes, kettles, or water heaters, which helps extend the lifespan of these appliances. You’ll also find that soap and detergents lather easily, meaning you can use less product for washing and cleaning. No special treatment is needed for hardness issues; however, if you're sensitive to the taste of chlorine, standard filtration might improve the aesthetic quality. South East Water monitors its supply rigorously, ensuring it meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines with typical pH levels between 7.5 and 8.5.