Surrey Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
163.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.25
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 Surrey Hills, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Surrey Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -18% |
| Washing Machine | 10.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -11% |
| Water Heater | 12.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -17% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Surrey Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Surrey Hills, Victoria | 77.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Balwyn, Victoria | 114 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Box Hill, Victoria | 110 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Balwyn North, Victoria | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Box Hill North, Victoria | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Surrey Hills compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Surrey Hills | 77.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Surrey Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Surrey Hills' 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 Boroondara City LGA eastern Melbourne distribution in Victoria. Water hardness in Surrey Hills is measured at 77.5 mg/L — classified as slightly hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Surrey Hills, in the Boroondara LGA — an established and highly regarded eastern Melbourne suburb known for the picturesque Union Road village strip of quality cafés, providores, restaurants, and boutiques, the heritage Federation-era and Edwardian streetscapes, and the Surrey Hills neighbourhood character treasured by the Boroondara residential community — receives slightly elevated supply, marginally harder than Hawthorn East (67.5 mg/L) in the same Boroondara LGA.
Surrey Hills' slightly elevated hardness reflects a marginally higher Winneke Water Treatment Plant fraction at the eastern Boroondara 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 Surrey Hills eastern Boroondara distribution at 77.5 mg/L and TDS 163.2 mg/L receives a slightly higher Winneke supply fraction than the inner Hawthorn East sub-zone (67.5 mg/L), reflecting the blend variation within Yarra Valley Water's Boroondara distribution network.
Surrey Hills 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 (0.004 mg/L) warrants briefly running the cold tap before use in Surrey Hills' heritage properties. Yarra Valley Water provides water quality information at yvw.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Surrey Hills' beloved Union Road village strip and quality Boroondara residential community benefit from a safe supply meeting all ADWG standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Yarra Valley Water (water retailer) and Melbourne Water (wholesale) incorporating a moderate Winneke Water Treatment Plant contribution — the Surrey Hills Boroondara eastern Melbourne supply carries slightly hard water at 77.5 mg/L, slightly harder than Hawthorn East (67.5 mg/L) in the same Boroondara LGA, reflecting a marginally higher Winneke WTP proportion at this eastern Boroondara distribution sub-zone.