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Where does Adelaide water come from?

Adelaide receives its water from the Murray River. Eastern South Australia is traversed by the Murray River. It serves as Adelaide’s main water supply, occasionally supplying more than 80% of the city’s water needs. Rain, groundwater, and water from the Adelaide Desalination Plant are additional sources of water for Adelaide, however, they may be less dependable, more expensive, or environmentally harmful than obtaining water from the Murray River.

The Murray River

Southeast Australia is home to the Murray River. At 2,508 km, it is the longest river in Australia. Five of Australia’s next six longest rivers are among its tributaries. The Murraylands are just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide, and it takes just under two hours to go to the Riverland. Additionally, Western Victoria serves as the main route of access.

The Murray River in South Australia is a resource for communities, plants, and animals in addition to farmers. There are numerous additional people, plants, and creatures that depend on water flowing via the Murray River. It preserves wetlands, maintains the breeding cycles of birds, fish, and other aquatic wildlife in the Lower Lakes and Coorong – distinctive ecosystems that are home to numerous endangered species — and is necessary to safeguard sacred First Nations sites.

Is Adelaide tap water hard or soft?

What does it mean when water is hard or soft? The mineral content of the water, notably the calcium and magnesium carbonates, is referred to as water hardness. The water is regarded as gentle because it is falling from the sky. This is so that it hasn’t yet had a chance to interact with minerals. Water picks up dissolved particles when it passes past rocks and other substrates. Hard water is defined as having greater than average concentrations of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.

Basically, we define hard water as having a high mineral content, which is measured in milligrams per liter. Anything below 60 mg/l is considered soft:

• soft 60 mg/l below
• moderately hard 60 to 120 mg/l
• hard 120 to 200 mg/l
• very hard 200 mg/l and above

Water hardness in Adelaide

The water in Adelaide is said to be particularly hard. According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, good quality water for home use should have a hardness of between 60 and 200 mg/L of minerals. According to SA Water’s 2020-21 Annual Report, the hardness of tap water used by Adelaide residents ranged from 47 to 133 mg/L. This is within the optimal range specified by the Drinking Water Guidelines, and in some regions is even a bit too soft.

Running your cold water faucets for two minutes before drinking or cooking with them can be one of these things. Installing water filters and making sure your home’s plumbing is in good operating order are the finest things you can do, though. If your hot water system is older than ten years, you really ought to think about replacing it.

This is where we come in

Royal Flush Plumbing can install or replace water filters for you. With years of experience working with Adelaide water and plumbing systems, we can optimize the best system for your home or business. Contact us anytime!

What chemicals are in Adelaide water?

The quality of your tap water must adhere to Australian Drink Water Guidelines, and SA Water has procedures in place to ensure this with more than 80 distinct water supply systems. Treatment varies depending on where the water comes from and how it is kept.

Adelaide tap water quality is maintained through a range of treatment methods:

• Chlorine – eliminates germs and bacteria
• Chloramine – mainly in longer water distribution systems, chloramine kills bacteria and diseases.
• Reverse osmosis – it removes up to 99 percent of pollutants and salt in desalination plants.
• Fluoride – fluoride is a substance that is added to water for dental health benefits, but it has no influence on the water’s flavor, color, or odor.
• Membrane filtration – water is filtered through a membrane’s tiny pores to more effectively eliminate contaminants.
• Iron removal – while the iron is not harmful to human health, many groundwater sources in South Australia contain significant concentrations of iron, which can cause water to turn discolored.
• Magnetic ion exchange – by eliminating dissolved organic carbon, magnetic ion exchange enhances Adelaide drinking water’s flavor and odor.
• Ultraviolet – water is treated using ultraviolet radiation to eradicate any bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that may be present.

Related: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What are the main issues with water in Adelaide?

Our streams and coastal waters are in danger due to pollution, overuse, and sporadic drought as Adelaide’s population rises. One of our most valuable resources is water. We need to make sure that our water resources are used properly and that we support the natural functions of our landscapes in order for them to thrive in the face of a changing climate because we live in the driest state on the driest inhabited continent.

What can you do?

Here are some easy actions you can take to use less water in your home, garden, and place of work. Water is captured by roofs and other hard external surfaces. Water from your roof can be collected and kept in storage. These are just a few of the many things you can do to assist in resolving Adelaide’s water difficulties; a quick Google search will provide you with a lot of answers.

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