Bassendean Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Bassendean's drinking water is supplied by the Water Corporation via the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS), incorporating Gnangara Mound groundwater and Kwinana and Binningup Seawater Desalination Plant contributions for the Town of Bassendean LGA inner eastern Perth distribution in Western Australia. Water hardness in Bassendean is measured at 136 mg/L — classified as moderately hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Bassendean — a historic riverside suburb in the small Town of Bassendean LGA on the Swan River in inner eastern Perth, known for the Bassendean Heritage Museum, the Old Perth Road heritage commercial strip, the Swan River walking and cycling paths along the Bassendean foreshore, and the tight-knit inner eastern Perth community with the Old Perth Road community market — receives moderately hard supply from the inner eastern Bassendean IWSS distribution.

Bassendean's moderately hard supply reflects a moderate Gnangara Mound groundwater fraction in the inner eastern Town of Bassendean IWSS distribution blend. The Gnangara Mound groundwater percolates through the Superficial Aquifer and Tamala Limestone — the porous Eocene carbonate formation of the Swan Coastal Plain — accumulating moderate dissolved calcium and associated minerals. At 136 mg/L and TDS 320.5 mg/L, Bassendean sits in the moderate range of the Perth IWSS distribution, reflecting a moderate groundwater proportion at the inner eastern Bassendean Swan River distribution sub-zone — softer than many outer Perth sub-zones but considerably harder than desalination-dominant coastal sub-zones.

Bassendean residents can expect moderate limescale on taps and in kettles — descaling every four to six weeks is typical. Hot water systems benefit from regular inspection. Solar hot water in WA's climate benefits from periodic servicing. Under WA water restrictions, garden irrigation is limited to two days per week. The low lead reading (0.002 mg/L) is excellent. The Water Corporation provides water quality information at watercorporation.com.au, with all ADWG health standards met. Bassendean's Swan River foreshore heritage community benefits from supply meeting all ADWG standards.