Seasonal changes in Katherine’s water levels may affect water hardness

As the weather warms up across the Top End and we come to the end of the dry season, water in the Katherine area may become ‘harder’ in response to an increased demand on water supplies.

Power and Water’s General Manager of Water Services, Paul Heaton, said "The Katherine water supply is a combination of surface water blended with groundwater. 

“The surface water comes from the Katherine River which usually provides for about 80% of the town’s supply and groundwater is drawn from the Tindal limestone, three kilometres east of town. During the dry season, as Katherine residents use more water, more water needs to be drawn from this groundwater source.

"River water is very soft but when its  blended with groundwater, which contains calcium, overall hardness increases despite being fully treated and filtered prior to supplying to customers.”

Power and Water are constantly monitoring and adjusting the balance of the water supply to minimise the effects of harder water that Katherine residents may notice when trying to get their shampoo or soap to get a good lather up.

Contact:
Judie Brennan
Media Manager,
Corporate Communications
Power and Water Corporation
0401 117 599 or 8985 8481