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Is Sydney Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:58 am, May 23, 2022
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Can You Drink Tap Water in Sydney?

Yes, tap water is drinkable.

Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about Sydney.

To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for Australia, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.

Sydney Tap Water

Recently, I read an article in a health magazine about tap water. The writer claimed that her daughter had been diagnosed with “adult-onset asthma” because she drank bottled water in addition to using the “correct” amount of asthma medication. I was surprised at such praise for tap water. She continued by praising the benefits of purified water and said that her daughter was drinking the amount used by an adult rather than the recommended amount for children. I was pretty surprised that she praised the water from the tap even though I always thought that was tap water for dogs.

In fact, for all of the claims made by Australian Artesian Water for its purity, the simple plain old tap water that came from their pipes tested amazingly well, and it had higher mineral content than bottled water! Breathe spring water without the chlorine. Not only is that a bit of an overstatement, but it also bears a lot of scrutinies when you consider that the tap is what is being drawn directly into our homes from the groundwater, which is protected. Many things can go wrong in a bottled water facility, such as fraud, negligence, and chemical contamination from the source materials. It is doubtful that Sydney’s water quality is any better than the facilities in other countries, especially given that there have been no regulatory controls over the quality of the water sources for decades.

There are a few water utilities in Australia licensed to operate and are meeting all of the safety standards and requirements necessary under the “water for alcohol” laws. But those are very few. Most of the Sydney apartments and condominiums have been built using a single well, which means the water used must come from this single water source pumped by a private water utility company. And that is just one of the problems with this. Let’s compare the quality of the bottled product to that of the Sydney tap. It was evident that the amount of chemicals and sediments that remain in the treated effect is significantly higher than that of the Sydney tap. So the answer is, we can’t afford it.

Tap water in Sydney, Australia, is one of the safest in the world. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines monitor the filtering of water coming from natural resources in Australia. All water regulators adhere to guidelines laid down by the National Health and Medical Research Council. In Sydney, Australia, water went through enormous tests to ensure the water is potable. In many aspects, Sydney tap water is perfect.

Bottled water is available everywhere in the city if you have doubts about drinking tap water in their hotel. Sydney Water ordered a study to understand and to support tap water. They have verified bottled water marketing had a significant impact on drinking tap water.

Sydney Drinking Water

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently questioning the safety of Sydney drinking water. Well, there is no question that Sydney has some of the best drinking water available in the world, but it is also fair to say that Sydney’s tap water is not precisely swimming-worthy. This is due to the number of pollutants and contaminants that are present in the Sydney metropolitan area. But even when you consider the fact that the quality of Sydney water is amongst the best in the world, one cannot overlook the health benefits associated with drinking pure Sydney water.

When you take the time to filter your drinking water to provide a safe, refreshing drink for yourself and your family, you are taking a proactive step towards better health. It is well documented that filtered or purified water can reduce or eliminate the risk of certain types of cancer. It can reduce or eliminate the risks of heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and other serious health problems. Drinking water with a high level of purification can ensure that these diseases do not become a part of your life.

It is important to remember that just because you have chosen to filter your own Sydney drinking water does not mean that you have eliminated all contamination sources from your water. It is recommended that you invest in a good water filtration system for your home. This is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward process that will save you money over time and provide you and your family with the purest drinking water possible. You should check out the filters available from your local hardware store and compare them in terms of their effectiveness and cost. You will find that once you have purchased your filter, it will be easy and inexpensive to install in your kitchen or any other room where you will be drinking the water.

Sydney Water

Sydney Water or formally, Sydney Water Corporation, is a State Government-owned statutory company that supplies potable water, wastewater, and some drainage services to the Greater Metropolitan Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Kingsford Smith, Kingsley Beach, Broadlands, Marleys Beach, Martin Place, Belmond, Maroubra, Rosehill, Woollong Shire and surrounds. It is one of Australia’s leading water management companies that are focused on innovation and sustainable growth of water and wastewater resources. It serves all of Sydney’s metropolitan areas, with the main sewer pipes in Sydney being operated by Sydney Water.

Sydney has a very crucial role as a world-class city and a leading economic and cultural destination and continues to grow and develop rapidly, becoming one of the most populated and modern cities in all of the world. It is regarded as critical commerce and commercial center in Australia, with over 8 million people called Sydney their home. The City surrounds a vibrant and diverse place; the recreational facilities and natural landscapes are outstanding. This is just a tiny sampling of what Sydney Water offers to its customers and clients. You will find the following critical Sydney Water services and products listed below.

Sydney Water is an excellent company to work with for your stormwater harvesting needs. Sydney Water provides both on-site stormwater collection and off-site collection via its stormwater ponds. It is the largest municipal stormwater provider in the ACT, with over seven kilometers of stormwater ponds scattered throughout Sydney. It also has a contract portfolio throughout the states and territories to support its growing demand for municipal and commercial stormwater and wastewater services.

Sydney Water Utilities

When looking for Sydney water utilities, it’s also a good idea to consider your water storage options. Although this isn’t technically a water utility, you might be required to have some tank installed if you choose to use a public facility. If you are considering tankless water heaters, make sure to check with your local water utility because rates for these appliances can vary significantly between providers. It’s best to get an estimate of how much energy your new system will require to use as much water as you want without paying a hefty bill at the end of the month. Many water heaters can go up to 20 gallons per minute, so talk to your water utility to determine the estimated energy usage before making your selection.

Always compare prices with other Sydney water utility companies to determine which one offers the best water services deals. When you take these basic steps, you can save money and ensure you receive the best service possible. By taking advantage of Sydney water utilities, you can avoid expensive water bills and stay safe.

Sydney Bottled Water

When you buy Sydney bottled water, the question that often comes to mind is how you can get it delivered to your door. If you want to enjoy cold bottles of pure water in the convenience of your own home, you need to know how this can be achieved. It’s a well-known fact that Sydney is Australia’s most populated city to find the water supply anywhere in the city. However, most people who live in the city can’t afford to drink tap water, so they rely on bottled water delivered to their door. You have many different options when you want to find Sydney bottled water delivered to your doorstep.

One of the easiest ways to make sure that you get Sydney delivered to you is to order it online and have it delivered directly to your door. When you order a water bottle online, you can choose how you want it delivered and when you want it delivered. You can select the day you want it delivered or select a time that will work best for you if you have a busy life. If you’re going to find out when the water will be delivered, all you have to do is log onto the website, and you will be able to find out the address and contact number of the delivery company that you are interested in working with.

The company that you work with will deliver the bottled water to the address that you give them. In most cases, the water will come to you through a door-to-door delivery service that works throughout the city of Sydney. Some companies do not deliver the water, but they may send the water to another location that you choose to receive the water from. Depending on where you live, you may have to pay a small fee to have the water delivered to your home. Companies will often offer free delivery of the bottled water and a glass of it if you order it online.

Source of Water in Sydney, Australia

Most of Sydney’s drinking water originates from rainwater stored in lakes. One-fifth of the water comes from Lake Burragorang at Warragamba. Advanced technology is used to monitor the water quality at crucial steps regularly. Adding a small amount of chlorine can guarantee bacterias are killed. The supplier filters 100% of water to ensure it is safe to drink. Filters are clean every two days and monitored 24/7.

Water from the majority of Sydney’s drinking water catchments is treated by Sydney Water, Wingecarribee Shire, and Shoalhaven City Council. WaterNSW handles water for the Avon, Cataract, Cordeaux, and Fitzroy Falls Dam picnic grounds. Most significant of the water from Sydney’s drinking water catchments is supplied to Sydney Water. It has an interface of nine water filtration plants. The treatment process for freshwater using a flocculation method. Tap water in Sydney reaches the Australian drinking water standards.

What do people in Sydney think about the tap water?

Sydney tap water tastes very chlorinated but is perfectly safe to drink.

FAQs about Sydney Water

Why does Sydney Water taste different?
Sydney Water says weather conditions, particularly "recent high winds" around Warragamba Dam have impacted the smell and taste of supply right across the city. It could take several weeks to settle down, while water sources that supply the filtration plant continue to blend.
Is Sydney Water hard or soft water?
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.
Is Sydney tap water chlorinated?
We add small amounts of different chemicals to Sydney's drinking water to help make it safe to drink, including chlorine and ammonia.
Why is Sydney Water smelly?
You may have noticed something in the water the last few days but that strange smell or taste is nothing to be alarmed about. Sydney Water says the problem is the flow on effect from Sydney's flood disaster earlier this year, assuring everyone the water is safe.
Is Sydney water clean?
Our 9 filtration plants are run by teams of dedicated, experienced people committed to ensuring that everyone across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra region has safe, filtered water every day of the year. We filter 100% of your water to ensure it's safe to drink straight from the tap.
Is Sydney water fluoridated?
Sydney water has fluoride in 99% of all local tap water supplies. In some instances, when added to tap water supplies, artificial fluoride can contain by-product substances that may cause dental fluorosis which is the pitting and staining of your teeth.
Is Sydney Water filtered?
In Sydney, we use modern water filtration and desalination plants. This ensures we achieve a consistent, high standard. Every drop meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which are some of the strictest in the world.
Is Sydney Tap Water Safe To Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.47 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Sydney tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 11% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 28% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 89% Very High
  • Water Quality 72% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Sydney, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Current Weather in Sydney

SYDNEY WEATHER

Traveller's Notes

Sydney tap water tastes very chlorinated but is perfectly safe to drink.

Some of the Popular Local Convenience Stores in Sydney

City Convenience store
City Mart
  • City Mart
  • Hyde Park City
  • York Xpress
  • Society
  • Opera
  • Harrington C
  • Sussex
  • Darling Harbour View
  • Mirna Supermarket
  • Wilson
  • Harmony
  • Sydney Park
  • SMARTBUY
  • 7-Eleven
  • 77
  • EzyMart

Estimated Price of Bottled Water

VolumeAUDUSDEURGBP
1.5-literA$2.09$1.42€1.29£1.14

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