Water hardness & quality in Port Hedland & South Hedland
6721, 6722 · North West Region · Reporting period 2023-2024
Reported by Water Corporation as the “Hedland” supply.
The verdict
Port Hedland & South Hedland's water is much purer — though it runs saltier than most of its 17 neighbours.
Water hardness
Very hard225mg/L
Heavy scale on fixtures and appliances, and harder on hot water systems. Softeners and filters are common.
Measured at the Port Hedland & South Hedland supply.
ADWG aesthetic guideline: 200 mg/L. Hardness affects scale and taste, not safety.
Compare water hardness across WA →At a glance
Position within the North West Region
Purity
By-products & nitrate
Purer than 86% of North West Region supplies
Taste
Sodium, chloride, TDS
Saltier than 75% of North West Region supplies
Hardness
Calcium & magnesium
About average for the North West Region
pH balance
How close to neutral (7.0)
About average for the North West Region
Full readings
Typical (mean) value at Port Hedland & South Hedland versus the North West Region average.
Purity & health
| Parameter | Port Hedland & South Hedland | Region avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trihalomethanes (THMs) | 0.00 | 0.02 | mg/L |
| Nitrate | 4.0 | 5.8 | mg/L |
Taste & saltiness
| Parameter | Port Hedland & South Hedland | Region avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 90.0 | 66.3 | mg/L |
| Chloride | 168 | 88.9 | mg/L |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)Above ADWG | 637 | 511 | mg/L |
| Sulphate | 31.0 | 29.6 | mg/L |
Hardness & scale
| Parameter | Port Hedland & South Hedland | Region avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardnessAbove ADWG | 225 | 171 | mg/L |
| Alkalinity | 178 | 179 | mg/L |
| Silica | 51.0 | 42.6 | mg/L |
pH balance
| Parameter | Port Hedland & South Hedland | Region avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.9 | 7.8 | pH units |
Compare nearby
All of North West Region →Common questions
Is the tap water in Port Hedland & South Hedland safe to drink?
In the 2023-2024 reporting year, Port Hedland & South Hedland's supply met the NHMRC Australian Drinking Water Guidelines health limits for every parameter with published data.
How hard is the water in Port Hedland & South Hedland?
Port Hedland & South Hedland's water averages 225 mg/L of hardness (as calcium carbonate), which is very hard. That's about average for the North West Region. Heavy scale on fixtures and appliances, and harder on hot water systems. Softeners and filters are common.
Is Port Hedland & South Hedland's water fluoridated?
Yes — Water Corporation fluoridates the Port Hedland & South Hedland supply. Fluoride averaged 0.76 mg/L in 2023-2024, within the ADWG limit of 1.5 mg/L.
Data & methodology
Data source: Water Corporation of WA Drinking Water Quality Annual Report 2023-2024.
Regional ranking: Each measured parameter is ranked against every other locality in the North West Region using the typical (mean) reading. Lower readings rank better, except pH where the score is distance from neutral (7).
ADWG safety check: Every reading is independently checked against the NHMRC Australian Drinking Water Guidelines; any value above the limit is flagged regardless of how it compares to neighbours.