Scarborough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
359.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
A$0.47
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 Scarborough, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Scarborough | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Scarborough compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Scarborough, Western Australia | 147 mg/L | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Duncraig, Western Australia | 232 mg/L | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Wembley, Western Australia | 117.5 mg/L | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Balcatta, Western Australia | 193.5 mg/L | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Nollamara, Western Australia | 211 mg/L | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Scarborough compares to the Australia average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Scarborough | 147 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Australia National Avg | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Boronia Top Rated | 5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Scarborough's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Scarborough's drinking water is supplied by the Water Corporation via the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS), blending Gnangara Mound limestone groundwater with desalinated supply from the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant at Kwinana for the City of Stirling LGA coastal northern Perth distribution in Western Australia. Water hardness in Scarborough is measured at 147 mg/L — classified as moderately hard — within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) aesthetic guideline of 200 mg/L published by NHMRC. Scarborough — the iconic Perth northern beachfront suburb of the Scarborough Beach foreshore, the Scarborough Beach Pool, and the growing Scarborough Beach Road mixed-use precinct — receives one of the softer IWSS supplies in the Perth metropolitan network, notably softer than the harder inner Perth zones such as Morley (237 mg/L) and Thornlie (239.5 mg/L).
Scarborough's lower IWSS hardness reflects a proportionally higher desalinated supply contribution to the coastal Stirling distribution blend, moderating the Tamala Limestone groundwater character. The Gnangara Mound groundwater percolates through the Superficial Aquifer and Tamala Limestone — the porous Eocene carbonate formation of the Swan Coastal Plain — but the Scarborough coastal distribution zone receives a greater proportion of low-mineral desalinated supply from the Kwinana plant, blended through the IWSS to produce the 147 mg/L moderately hard supply at this coastal northern Perth zone.
Scarborough residents face moderate limescale build-up on taps and shower screens — descaling every three to four weeks is typical. Solar hot water systems popular in WA's climate accumulate scale; annual servicing is recommended. Under WA water restrictions, garden irrigation is limited to two days per week. The low lead reading (0.002 mg/L) is reassuring. The Water Corporation provides water quality information at watercorporation.com.au, with all ADWG health standards consistently met throughout the Stirling coastal northern Perth supply zone.
Geology & Source: Supplied by the Water Corporation via the Integrated Water Supply Scheme blending Gnangara Mound limestone groundwater with a proportionally elevated desalinated component from the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant — the Scarborough Stirling coastal northern Perth supply carries moderately hard water at 147 mg/L with TDS of 359.7 mg/L, reflecting a softer coastal IWSS blend compared to the harder inner Perth limestone-dominant zones.