Most of the tap water in Australia meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines set by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which ensure that tap water is safe and free from harmful contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals.
So is Australian tap water safe to drink? For adults the answer is yes but for households with infants or young children a water filter is a good safety measure.
Sydney's water is from natural sources, and is filtered to the high standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This helps assure your water is safe to drink straight from the tap.
The quality of drinking water in Australia is generally high, with 93% of households having access to clean, safe drinking water.
In fact, by weight, in Australia, tapwater is at least 99.94% water. That number isn't an homage to Don Bradman – it's got more to do with human health and taste. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which were created in 2011, sets maximum limits for all the things that are commonly seen in tapwater.
For many people filtering tap water makes substantial improvements to the taste – particularly the chlorine taste that is a by-product of our mains water disinfection processes. Plus, there are other benefits to installing a filtration system – such as instant boiling, chilled and sparkling water options.
Australia has some of the highest-quality drinking water in the world. Most of it comes from regulated, reliable sources and is tested for safety before entering our homes. This means tap water is a perfectly safe and healthy choice for hydration.
The levels of chlorine in the drinking water are non-toxic, so you may not need a filter. However, consumption over time may have health consequences.
Melbourne Water is proud to have taken out top honours at the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition.
After putting their tastebuds to the test a group of thirsty judges has decided the best drinking water in the country is from the Richmond Valley Council in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region.
“Is it safe to drink bathroom tap water? - no, not really. Even though homes and hotels are supplied with water safe for drinking, there are too many variables to consider to completely guarantee its safety. So it's best to avoid drinking from a bathroom tap if you can. Stick to bottled water or a kitchen tap."
The water that comes out of your faucet is filtered, disinfected and often contains added fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Safety standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced by the town, city or state where you live. So, in general, tap water is good, cheap and safe to drink.
Across Australia each city and state is different. Sydney's water is considered 'soft' with a hardness level of about 50mg/L while in Hobart, it is barely above 10 mg/L. Brisbane and Adelaide have some of the hardest water where it reaches nearly 100 mg/L.
In Australia, fluoride is added to our water supplies to help to reduce tooth decay.
Typical Tap Water Contaminants;
Chlorine. Fluorine compounds. Trihalomethanes (THMs) Arsenic, Radium, Aluminum, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Barium.
Pureau is the only water that is 100% guaranteed to be free from chlorine, bacteria, fluoride, sodium and other impurities that are found in both tap and other bottled waters.
Melbourne is one of only two cities in the world with drinking water that primarily comes from protected catchments, where water only needs to be disinfected. These native forests up in the Yarra Ranges act as sort of a natural filter.
Boiling water eliminates bacteria, but it does not make tap water pure. Municipalities primarily focus on ensuring bacteria-free tap water, as it's the only contaminant legally required to have zero presence.
To purify water through boiling — you'll need to wait several minutes for the water to boil, then allow it to cool unless you're willing to drink it hot. Furthermore, boiling water does not kill all bacteria or remove chemicals present in tap water, the only way to safely do so is by using a water filter.
The primary answer is convenience, says the Australian Beverages Council, which represents the nation's producers of non-alcoholic drinks including water. “We buy it when we're on the go, largely,” a council spokesperson told AAP.
By installing a quality water filter system, you are safeguarding the water in your home against any potential bad tastes and odours. Should cycts such as giardia and cryptosporidium be in the water supply you are protected against these with a quality water filter system.