Australian Shower Water Quality: What’s Coming Through Your Showerhead?
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Every day, millions of Australians step into the shower expecting clean, pure water.
But what’s actually flowing through your showerhead might surprise you.
From mineral-heavy hard water to chlorine levels that vary dramatically by location, Australian shower water quality differs significantly across the country—and it could be affecting your skin and hair more than you realise.
Discover What’s Really in Your Shower Water and How It Affects Your Skin & Hair.
Understanding Australian Shower Water: The Hidden Variables
When we turn on our taps, we rarely think about the journey that water has taken to reach us.
Australian water suppliers deliver water that’s safe to drink, but “safe to drink” doesn’t necessarily mean “gentle on your skin and hair.”
Your shower water’s composition depends on several factors:
your location, your source (dam, river, or groundwater), and your local authority’s treatment processes.
The two main concerns that influence shower quality are mineral content (hardness) and chemical treatment additives, particularly chlorine.
Both are vital for safety—but both can have unintended consequences for your body’s natural moisture balance.
Hard Water in Australia: A City-by-City Breakdown
Hard water contains higher levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium.
While harmless to drink, these minerals can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier and leave your hair dry, dull, or brittle.
Water hardness is measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L) of calcium carbonate.
According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines:
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Soft: 0–60 mg/L
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Moderately Hard: 60–120 mg/L
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Hard: 120–180 mg/L
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Very Hard: > 180 mg/L
Water Hardness by City
|
Australian City |
Average Hardness (mg/L) |
Classification |
Primary Water Source |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Adelaide |
135–165 |
Hard |
Murray River, reservoirs |
|
Brisbane |
100–120 |
Moderately Hard |
Wivenhoe & Somerset Dams |
|
Canberra |
40–50 |
Soft |
Cotter & Googong Dams |
|
Darwin |
60–80 |
Moderately Hard |
Darwin River Dam |
|
Hobart |
15–30 |
Soft |
Mountain catchments |
|
Melbourne |
10–30 |
Soft |
Protected catchments |
|
Perth |
60–110 |
Soft to Moderately Hard |
Dams & desalination |
|
Sydney |
50–70 |
Soft |
Warragamba Dam |
Values are approximate and vary by suburb and season (data: Australian water authority reports).
Adelaide consistently records Australia’s hardest water, largely due to mineral pickup from the Murray River’s limestone and dolomite channels.
By contrast, Melbourne and Hobart enjoy notably soft water from mountain catchments.
Chlorine in Australian Water: The Disinfection Trade-Off
While hardness is natural, chlorine is added deliberately.
Australian water authorities dose chlorine (or chloramine) to disinfect and safeguard the public supply.
It’s extremely effective at killing harmful microbes—but it also strips away your skin’s and hair’s natural oils.
The NHMRC’s guideline allows up to 5 mg/L chlorine in drinking water, though most supplies sit between 0.5 and 2.5 mg/L.
Even these small amounts can contribute to dryness because hot showers open pores and increase absorption.
How Chlorine Affects Skin & Hair
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Dryness and tightness — sebum and natural oils are stripped away.
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Irritation or flare-ups — eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis may worsen.
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Barrier damage — compromised hydration can accentuate fine lines.
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Hair dullness or breakage — chlorine oxidises hair proteins and fades colour.
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Scalp imbalance — dryness and itching are common over time.
Most people never connect these effects to their water, blaming products instead of what’s flowing from the showerhead.
The Double Impact: Hard Water + Chlorine
Cities such as Adelaide and Brisbane combine mineral-rich and chlorinated water—an environment that challenges skin and hair daily.
Hard water hinders soap and shampoo from rinsing cleanly, leaving a film that locks in chlorine residue.
That same film that clouds your shower screen can cling to your skin and hair, causing:
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A “squeaky-clean” yet dry feeling after showers
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Hair that feels heavy or waxy even after washing
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Increased product use without better results
Why Your Hair Feels Dry After A Shower (And How Water Quality Is Playing A Role).
Regional Variations: Beyond the Capitals
Regional Australians often experience even greater fluctuations.
Bore or well water can contain much higher mineral loads, and drought conditions can concentrate dissolved solids.
If you live regionally, request a water quality report from your local provider—most supply them free of charge.
How to Improve Your Shower Water Quality
Understanding your water is the first step; improving it is the next.
While you can’t change your city’s infrastructure, you can transform what leaves your showerhead.
The Filtered Showerhead Solution
A filtered showerhead is the simplest, most cost-effective fix for Australia’s mix of chlorine and minerals.
The Flowy Filter Plus™ showerhead uses a triple-stage filtration system tailored to Australian water:
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KDF-55 (50 %) — targets chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria growth.
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Calcium Sulfite (30 %) — excels at chlorine removal, even in hot water.
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Catalytic Carbon (20 %) — neutralises chemical additives and improves water feel.
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Dual PP Cotton + 304 Stainless-Steel Mesh layers capture sediment and fine particles for visibly clearer flow.
Rather than “softening” water through salt exchange, Flowy conditions it—reducing the drying impact of minerals while removing chlorine and impurities.
The result is noticeably gentler water that helps your skin and hair maintain balance.
And because it’s engineered specifically for Australian conditions—from Adelaide’s hard water to Brisbane’s moderate hardness—Flowy delivers consistent performance nationwide.
Additional Tips for Healthier Showers
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Keep showers shorter and cooler to minimise exposure.
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Moisturise within three minutes of finishing to lock in hydration.
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Use pH-balanced cleansers that support your skin barrier.
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For severe hardness, a whole-house system may complement your shower filter.
The Science of Healthier Skin & Hair
Once you remove chlorine and impurities, changes are quickly noticeable:
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Softer, calmer skin — less tightness and irritation.
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Healthier scalp & reduced flaking.
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Shinier, smoother hair — free from mineral buildup.
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Improved product performance — cleansers and serums work as intended.
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Lower product use — better lather means less wasted shampoo or soap.
Australian dermatologists consistently emphasise protecting the skin barrier against everyday irritants such as chlorinated water—just as they do against UV exposure.
Taking Control of Your Water Quality
You can’t change your postcode’s water chemistry, but you can take control of what touches your skin.
Knowing your city’s hardness and chlorine levels empowers you to choose a solution that supports, not stresses, your skin and hair.
For many Australians, switching to a Flowy Filter Plus™ showerhead is the small change that finally solves recurring dryness, irritation, and dull hair—no new skincare routine required.
Ready to Transform Your Shower Experience?
If you’ve invested in quality skincare and haircare but still battle dryness or irritation, your water might be the missing piece.
Australian shower water varies dramatically by region, yet one solution works everywhere: effective multi-stage filtration.
Discover how the Flowy Filter Plus™ transforms ordinary Australian tap water into cleaner, gentler water for your skin and hair.
Have questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions.
[Explore Flowy Filter Plus™ → Click Here]
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Australian city has the hardest water?
Adelaide consistently records the highest hardness levels (approx. 135–165 mg/L) due to mineral pickup along the Murray River.
Brisbane is moderately hard (100–120 mg/L), while Melbourne, Hobart, and Sydney have much softer water from mountain catchments.
Does hard water affect skin?
Yes. Hard water’s calcium and magnesium disrupt your skin barrier, leading to dryness and irritation.
Residue left behind can clog pores and worsen eczema or dermatitis.
Does the Flowy Filter Plus™ soften water?
Not in the salt-based sense. It conditions water—reducing chlorine and fine particles and lessening the drying effects of minerals—without removing all hardness ions.
How can I improve my shower water quality?
Install a Flowy Filter Plus™ filtered showerhead for targeted reduction of chlorine and impurities.
Complement it by taking shorter, cooler showers and moisturising immediately afterward.