Hard Water in Melbourne: Is Your Water Safe to Drink?

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and is well known for its coffee culture and arts scene. However, one thing that many people in this country and even outsiders may not know is that its water is classified as hard water.

Whether you are a newcomer to this country and its capital city of Melbourne or have lived here all your life, it is important to know more about how hard water can affect your home and your health.

In this blog post, we can delve deeper into more information regarding hard water and how to treat it.

Before explaining more about Melbourne’s water, it is important to first define what is considered to be hard water .

Hard water can essentially be described as water that has high concentrations of mineral substances like calcium and magnesium. The water will have absorbed all these mineral substances as it flows through layers of soil and rock.

According to a report by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) , “ Water systems using groundwater as a source are concerned with water hardness, since as water moves through soil and rock it dissolves small amounts of naturally-occurring minerals and carries them into the groundwater supply. ”

In a 2024 survey by Waterdrop, over 46% of users reported experiencing hard water issues, expressing frustration with difficulties in cleaning bathtubs and the presence of water stains. Hard water has a number of potential problems associated with its reaction in your household and even to your skin. Below are some of the key impacts associated with hard water.

Hard water can cause dryness in people’s skin and hair. The minerals will cause a drying effect to people’s skin. Hard water is really a big problem to those people with sensitive skin as well as those who have eczema.

Hard water has many noticeable effects. The first noticeable effect that can occur in a hard water environment is its effect on domestic appliances. The minerals in hard water can build up in domestic appliances like water heaters and washing machines. The build-up of minerals in domestic appliances can affect their efficiency and can even cause costly breakdowns.

Mineral deposits caused by hard water can also build up insidepipework and cause blockages and a restriction in flow. The mineral build-up can cause a reduction in water pressure and can impact the functionality of showers and sinks.

H23 Soap Scum and Stains

Hard water doesn’t mix well with soap. When soap reacts with the calcium and magnesium in hard water, it forms a sticky residue known as soap scum. This can build up on your bathroom tiles, shower doors, and even on your clothes after washing, leaving unsightly stains that are tough to remove.

Melbourne has some of the world’s best drinking water. As highlighted by Melbourne Water , “ We test water samples from over 160 sites within our water supply network each year, as a final check that it meets requirements before being transferred into the network that supplies homes and businesses ”

However, how hard the water is may depend upon its location. A moderately hard to hard classification has been accorded to water in Melbourne.

According to the city’s water supplier, South East Water , the hardness level typically ranges from 50 to 150 ppm. Water with a ppm of 0-60 is considered soft, while anything above 120 ppm is classified as hard water. The level of water hardness in Melbourne can sometimes differ from one suburb to another.

While hard water is not harmful to your health, it can be a nuisance. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can consider to manage hard water in your Melbourne home.

One of the best methods for treating hard water is to install a water softener . The water softener replaces calcium and magnesium ions in water with sodium ions. As a result, calcium and magnesium are not deposited as limescale. Water softener is a great device to have in your home. It can even benefit your skin.

Waterdrop filtration systems are designed to effectively address the challenges posed by hard water. By using advanced reverse osmosis technology , their ro systems remove excess minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are responsible for water hardness.

For Australian households dealing with hard water, the Waterdrop X8 ro system is a highly effective solution. The system uses RO technology to remove up to 99% of contaminants, including heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, and hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium.

This ensures the water is not only safe to drink but also free from the minerals that cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances.

However, if you are not in a position to invest in a water softener and/or filter system, you can always resort to vinegar to help you deal with mineral buildup in your appliances. Running a vinegar cycle in your dishwasher and/or washing machine will ensure that mineral buildup in your appliance is eliminated.

There are a number of different cleaning agents that are available that have specifically been made for people that have problems with hard water. These agents not only have properties that can break down mineral residues but can actually prevent soap scum from building up.

In conclusion, Melbourne’s tap water is considered moderately hard to hard due to the presence of calcium and magnesium minerals.

If you are experiencing the negative effects of hard water, there are several solutions available. Installing a water softener or using a water filtration system such as the Waterdrop RO System can help alleviate the issues caused by hard water.

By taking the right steps, you can reduce the impact of hard water and enjoy cleaner, softer water in your home.

Soft water has very few to no dissolved minerals. Hard water has a high mineral level of calcium and magnesium. The dissolved minerals cause scaling in appliances and soap scum in water.

Hard water is not a health risk to your well-being. The substances in hard water are natural and not hazardous to your health if ingested. But this can cause other problems in your life.

You can tell if your water is hard by looking for signs like soap scum buildup on bathroom surfaces, a film on your skin after washing, or mineral deposits on your appliances.

Well, yes. The water in Melbourne is perfectly safe to drink. However, if you are concerned about its taste and mineral composition, you might want to think about investing in a water filter.

The best equipment to soften your water is a water softener. Alternatively, you can install water filters. There is a Waterdrop RO System that can remove minerals from the water.