Quick answer
Yes. Melbourne’s tap water is treated and regularly tested against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. People usually filter for taste, smell and peace of mind about what happens between the treatment plant and their tap, not because the water is unsafe.
Who supplies Melbourne’s water?
Melbourne Water collects and treats water from the city’s catchments and sells it to three retailers: Greater Western Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water. Your retailer is the company on your water bill. In Mildura, Lower Murray Water supplies town water drawn from the Murray River.
Under Victoria’s Safe Drinking Water Act, water suppliers must monitor quality and publish an annual drinking water quality report. If you want the numbers for your area, your retailer’s website is the place to look.
How is town water treated?
Treatment varies by source, but town water is typically filtered and then disinfected, most often with chlorine. A small amount of chlorine stays in the water on purpose, so it stays free of germs while it travels through many kilometres of pipes. Melbourne’s water is also fluoridated.
If it’s safe, why do people filter it?
- Taste and smell. The chlorine that keeps water safe is the most common complaint. Some people notice it in drinking water, others in the shower.
- The last few metres. Your supplier is responsible for water up to your meter. After that, it travels through your property’s own pipes, which can be decades old.
- Sediment. Mains repairs and pipe works can stir up fine particles that show up as cloudy or gritty water.
- Preference. Many households simply prefer filtered water, and like having it at every tap instead of in a jug.
What a filter won’t do
A filter doesn’t make unsafe water safe, and town water doesn’t need that. Sediment and carbon filters are designed to improve taste, smell and clarity and to reduce particular substances. If you ever receive a boil-water notice from your supplier, follow it, filter or no filter.
Common questions
Does Melbourne tap water contain fluoride?
Yes. Melbourne’s water supply is fluoridated. Most sediment and carbon filters are not designed to remove fluoride; reverse osmosis is the usual option if you want it removed from drinking water.
Where can I see the water quality for my suburb?
Your water retailer publishes an annual drinking water quality report. Check the website of the company named on your water bill.
Do I need a filter if my water is already safe?
No. A filter is a choice for better taste, less chlorine smell and cleaner water from your own pipes, not a safety requirement.
General information for homes on town water in Victoria. It isn’t a substitute for advice about your specific property or water supply.
