Groundwater contains naturally occurring salts and minerals, which leach out of the formation that the groundwater percolates through.

These are measured as TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).   Some example of salt levels per litre for your information:

Rainwater:     Under 10 TDS     Murray River, in places:    600 TDS    

Sea Water:    30,000 TDS

The majority of the bores on the Mornington Peninsula produce groundwater with 200 to 1200 TDS per litre.

Plants have varying tolerance to salinity in groundwater e.g. Delicate plants such as roses will not tolerate a high TDS level (over 700 TDS).  Lawns and native plants are more tolerant.

The table below lists a general guide of TDS levels per litre of Groundwater and uses.