Swan Hill 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
155.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.24
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 Swan Hill, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Swan Hill | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -10% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Swan Hill compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Swan Hill, Victoria | 74.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Echuca, Victoria | 48.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Bendigo, Victoria | 55 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | mixed |
| Kangaroo Flat, Victoria | 15 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Mildura, Victoria | 57.5 mg/L | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Swan Hill compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Swan Hill | 74.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Swan Hill's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Swan Hill's drinking water is supplied by Lower Murray Water (LMW), the Victorian regional water authority, drawing from the Murray River at the Swan Hill river offtake and treating water for distribution throughout the Swan Hill Rural City LGA in north-western Victoria. Water hardness in Swan Hill is measured at 74.5 mg/L — classified as slightly hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Swan Hill — the commercial and service centre of the north-western Victorian Mallee region on the Murray River, known as the 'Gateway to the Murray–Mallee', home to the Pioneer Settlement open-air museum and heritage paddle steamer complex, the Murray River houseboat and tourism industry, and the fruit-growing and agricultural community of the Victorian Murray–Mallee — receives slightly elevated supply from the Murray River at the Upper Murray regional LMW water supply.
Swan Hill's slightly elevated hardness reflects the moderate mineralisation of the Murray River upper reaches at the Swan Hill LMW supply offtake. The upper Murray River draws from the Victorian and NSW High Country alpine catchments — the Main Range and Victorian Alps granite and basalt terrain — where meltwater and rain contribute moderate but gradually accumulating dissolved minerals as the river flows north across the Riverina plains. At 74.5 mg/L and TDS 155.3 mg/L, the Swan Hill Murray River supply is considerably softer than the lower Murray (Adelaide supply at 200+ mg/L), reflecting the predominantly alpine-source character at the upper Murray reach.
Swan Hill residents can expect occasional light limescale on taps and in kettles — descaling every two to three months is typically adequate. Hot water systems benefit from periodic inspection. The low lead reading (0.003 mg/L) is good. Lower Murray Water provides water quality information at lmw.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met. Swan Hill's Murray River tourism community and the Pioneer Settlement heritage precinct benefit from a safe supply meeting all ADWG standards.
Geology & Source: Supplied by Lower Murray Water from the Murray River at Swan Hill — the Swan Hill Murray River regional supply carries slightly hard water at 74.5 mg/L with TDS of 155.3 mg/L, reflecting the moderate mineralisation character of the Murray River upper reaches fed predominantly from the Victorian and NSW alpine catchments of the Great Dividing Range at the Swan Hill regional Murray River water supply.