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Water Quality Testing

Understand Your
Test Strip Results

You've tested your water — here's exactly what your results mean, and what (if anything) to do about them.

Before you start

How to read the strip correctly

Small errors in technique can affect accuracy — follow these steps

1

Dip the strip fully in water for 2 seconds, then remove immediately.

2

Hold the strip level — do not shake off excess water.

3

Read most pads at 15 seconds.

4

Read Nitrate & Nitrite pads at 60 seconds.

5

Match colours in natural light — avoid direct sunlight.

Your strip

What each pad measures

Only the parameters relevant to household drinking water are covered below

Hold here

↑ Dip end

Pads — dip end to handle
Free Chlorine15s
Iron15s
Copper15s
Lead15s
Nitrate60s
Nitrite60s
pH15s
Total Hardness15s
Jump to parameter:
Reading your results

Parameter by parameter

Match your pad colour, then find your reading below

Free Chlorinemg/L
Read at 15s

Chlorine is added by water utilities to keep tap water safe from bacteria. A small residual amount is normal and expected. Very high levels can affect taste and odour.

0
None
0.5
Trace
1
Low
3
Moderate
5
High
10
Very high
✅
0 – 3 mg/L — NormalTypical range for treated mains water. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines allow up to 5 mg/L.
⚠️
3 – 5 mg/L — Elevated but within limitsStill safe. If the taste or smell bothers you, an activated carbon filter will effectively reduce chlorine.
🔴
Above 5 mg/L — Above guidelineWorth investigating. Consider a carbon filtration solution and contact your water authority or reach out to us.
Ironmg/L
Read at 15s

Iron enters water through ageing pipes or naturally from groundwater. Higher levels cause reddish-brown staining on fixtures, a metallic taste, and can reduce appliance lifespan.

0
None
5
Trace
10
Low
25
Moderate
50
High
100+
Very high
✅
0 – 0.3 mg/L — NormalBelow the aesthetic guideline. No action needed.
⚠️
0.3 – 1 mg/L — DetectableMay cause slight discolouration or taste. A sediment or backwash filter can help.
🔴
Above 1 mg/L — HighLikely causing staining and taste issues. Could point to ageing internal pipes — worth having a plumber take a look.
Coppermg/L
Read at 15s

Copper leaches from copper pipes and fittings, particularly in newer plumbing or where water is slightly acidic. Trace amounts are harmless; elevated levels are a health concern with long-term exposure.

0
None
10
Low
30
Moderate
100
Elevated
200
High
300
Very high
✅
0 – 10 — Not detected / traceNo concern. Expected for most Australian homes.
⚠️
30 – 100 — ElevatedRun the cold tap for 30 seconds each morning before use. May indicate slightly acidic water corroding copper pipes.
🔴
Above 100 — HighHave your water professionally tested and your plumbing inspected. Filtration may be needed.
Leadmg/L
Read at 15s

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. It can leach from older lead-based solder or legacy pipework. Most modern Australian plumbing doesn't use lead, but homes built before the 1980s may carry some risk.

0
None
20
Trace
50
Low
100
Moderate
200
High
500
Very high
✅
0 — Not detectedExpected result for most Australian homes. No action needed.
🔴
Any reading above 0 — Act promptlyThere is no safe level. Get a certified laboratory test done and contact us — we can help identify the source and next steps.
Nitratemg/L
Read at 60s

Nitrates come from fertiliser runoff, septic systems, or agricultural land. They're tasteless and odourless but elevated levels are a health risk — especially for infants under 6 months.

0
None
10
Low
25
Moderate
50
Elevated
100
High
250+
Very high
✅
0 – 50 mg/L — Within guidelineAustralian Drinking Water Guideline is 50 mg/L. Mains water is routinely monitored for nitrates.
⚠️
50 – 100 mg/L — At or above guidelineSeek a laboratory confirmation. If you're on tank or bore water, consider reverse osmosis filtration. Do not give this water to infants.
🔴
Above 100 mg/L — High riskDo not drink without treatment. Contact us or your water authority. Reverse osmosis effectively removes nitrates.
Nitritemg/L
Read at 60s

Nitrite indicates very recent contamination — often from bacterial activity in stagnant water, a failing septic system, or corroding fittings. Unlike nitrate, even low levels are a concern and warrant prompt investigation.

0
None
1
Trace
5
Low
10
Moderate
20
High
40+
Very high
✅
0 — Not detectedExpected result. Nitrite should not be present in treated mains water.
🔴
Any reading above 0 — Investigate promptlyThe Australian guideline is 3 mg/L, but any presence warrants investigation. Get in touch — this can indicate a plumbing or contamination issue that needs attention.
pHscale
Read at 15s

pH measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. Very low pH can corrode pipes and cause metal leaching over time; very high pH affects taste and can indicate scaling issues.

6.2
Acidic
6.8
Slightly acidic
7.2
Neutral
7.8
Slightly alkaline
8.4
Alkaline
9.0
Very alkaline
✅
6.5 – 8.5 — Normal rangeAustralian guidelines sit between 6.5 and 8.5. Most mains water reads around 7–8.
⚠️
Below 6.5 — AcidicCan corrode copper and lead pipes over time, potentially causing metal leaching. A carbon or neutralising filter may help.
🔴
Above 8.5 — AlkalineMay taste bitter or soapy. Common with bore water. Get in touch if paired with visible scale buildup on taps or fixtures.
Total Hardnessmg/L
Read at 15s

Hardness is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium. It's not a health risk, but hard water shortens appliance life, causes limescale buildup on taps and fixtures, and makes soap less effective.

0
Soft
25
Slightly hard
50
Moderate
120
Hard
250
Very hard
425
Extremely hard
✅
0 – 120 mg/L — Soft to moderately hardUnlikely to cause significant scale or appliance issues. No action required.
⚠️
120 – 250 mg/L — HardYou may notice scale on taps and in your kettle. A water softener or descaler can protect appliances and pipework.
🔴
Above 250 mg/L — Very hardScale buildup will reduce the lifespan of hot water systems, washing machines, and dishwashers. A softener is strongly recommended.
Not relevant for drinking water

Other readings on your strip

Some parameters on the strip aren't useful for household water assessment

You can set these aside

Your test strip also measures parameters that are more relevant for pools, spas, or commercial water treatment than for household drinking water. A reading on any of these doesn't typically indicate a problem with your tap water.

Cyanuric Acid QUAT / QAC Total Chlorine Fluoride Chlorine Dioxide MPS Total Alkalinity Carbonate

Have a reading that needs attention?

We're here to help — not to sell you something. If anything on your strip has come back elevated, or you'd just like a second opinion, feel free to reach out. We'll give you an honest answer.

✉  maintenance@outrightplumbing.com.au 📞  (03) 9501 3777

Results from home test strips are indicative only and are not a substitute for certified laboratory water testing. If you have concerns about your water quality, we recommend confirming with a NATA-accredited laboratory. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are published by the NHMRC/NRMMC.

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