Australian Drinking Water Map

Forbes (NSW) – Lead

2024: Forbes Lead 0.0043mg/L (max), 0.0012mg/L (mean)

Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”

Forbes (NSW) Hardness

2024: Forbes (NSW) Hardness 279.4mg/L (max), 158mg/L (mean).

GUIDELINE

“To minimise undesirable build‑up of scale in hot water systems, total hardness (as calcium carbonate) in drinking water should not exceed 200 mg/L.

Hard water requires more soap than soft water to obtain a lather. It can also cause scale to form on hot water pipes and fittings. Hardness is caused primarily by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions, although other cations such as strontium, iron, manganese and barium can also contribute.”

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

November 5 2022: Forbes (NSW) Floods make water unsafe to drink

Recent flood conditions at Forbes have resulted in river water ingress into the treated water storage, making drinking water in Forbes Township unsafe to consume.

Water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe. Kettles with automatic shut off switches can do this. Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.

Everyone, particularly people caring for young children, should be careful to avoid scalding, when you are heating and then cooling the water.

Bottled water or cool boiled water should be used for drinking, washing uncooked food (e.g. salad vegetables and fruit), making ice, cleaning teeth, gargling and pet’s drinking water.

Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children should take bottled water or cool boiled water to school.

November 2022 + 2024: Forbes (NSW). Water unsafe to drink due to floods. Lead, Hardness

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Forbes (NSW) – Lead 2024: Forbes Lead 0.0043mg/L (max), 0.0012mg/L (mean) Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.” Forbes (NSW) Hardness 2024: Forbes (NSW) Hardness 279.4mg/L (max), 158mg/L (mean). GUIDELINE “To minimise undesirable build‑up of scale in hot water systems, total hardness (as calcium carbonate) in drinking water should not exceed 200 mg/L. Hard water requires more soap than soft water to obtain a lather. It can also cause scale to form on hot water pipes and fittings. Hardness is caused primarily by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions, although other cations such as strontium, iron, manganese and barium can also contribute.” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 November 5 2022: Forbes (NSW) Floods make water unsafe to drink Recent flood conditions at Forbes have resulted in river water ingress into the treated water storage, making drinking water in Forbes Township unsafe to consume. Water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe. Kettles with automatic shut off switches can do this. Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated. Everyone, particularly people caring for young children, should be careful to avoid scalding, when you are heating and then cooling the water. Bottled water or cool boiled water should be used for drinking, washing uncooked food (e.g. salad vegetables and fruit), making ice, cleaning teeth, gargling and pet’s drinking water. Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children should take bottled water or cool boiled water to school.