Australia might be known for its pristine beaches and rugged bushlands, but our tap water isn’t always as pure. While water supplied by councils is treated and safe to drink by national standards, many Australians still opt for home water filtration. Why? Because they’re tired of the chlorine taste, concerned about hidden contaminants, or just want better water for their families and appliances. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about water filtration systems for Australian homes — no fluff, just facts.
Why Water Filtration Matters in Australian Homes
Whether you live in the city, out bush, or by the beach, your tap water has taken quite the journey to reach your sink. Along the way, it may pick up traces of chemicals, rust, sediment, and other contaminants. Some of these are introduced during treatment, like chlorine, which is used to kill bacteria. Others come from ageing pipes or environmental pollution. Filtering your water at home gives you control — it means cleaner, better-tasting water every time you turn on the tap.
Common Water Quality Issues Across Australia
Water quality varies across the country. In metro areas, chlorine is a common culprit for bad taste and odour. In regional and rural areas, you’re more likely to face issues with sediment, hard water, or even microbial contamination if you rely on rainwater or bore water. Areas affected by drought can see water supplies become more concentrated with minerals, making the water harder on skin, pipes, and appliances. In some cases, recent concern over PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) in groundwater has also raised questions about what’s really flowing through our taps.
Health and Environmental Impacts of Unfiltered Water
The health effects of unfiltered water might not be immediate, but over time, exposure to contaminants like lead, pesticides, or bacteria can add up. While Australian water supplies are monitored, filters add an extra layer of protection—especially for babies, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system. There’s also the environmental angle. If you’re buying bottled water to avoid the taste of tap, that’s a lot of plastic waste — and money — you could avoid with a home filtration setup.
Understanding Your Water Source
Not all tap water is created equal. What you need from a filtration system depends on your source. City-dwellers get treated mains water. Rural homes might be pulling from tanks or bores. Each source has different risks — and different solutions.
Municipal Tap Water
Most Australians get their water from a municipal supply. It's treated for safety, but often contains chlorine, fluoride, and trace metals from ageing pipes. The taste can be unpleasant, and the chemical load — while safe by government standards — is still more than many people want to drink every day. A good filter can strip away chlorine, sediment, and even lead, while leaving beneficial minerals intact.
Tank and Rainwater Systems
Rainwater tanks are common in rural Australia and increasingly used in urban homes. While rainwater is soft and tastes clean, it’s not immune to problems. Leaves, bird droppings, or roof debris can introduce bacteria, parasites, and sediment. Since tank water isn’t chlorinated, it needs filtering and often sterilisation, usually via UV, to be safe for drinking.
Bore and Well Water
Drawing water from underground sources like bores or wells can bring up a cocktail of minerals, metals, and even agricultural runoff. Bore water can be high in iron, calcium, magnesium, or even nitrates. Without filtration, this can cause staining on clothes and fixtures, damage appliances, and create health risks. A combination of sediment, carbon, and sometimes reverse osmosis filters may be needed depending on what's in the supply.
Types of Home Water Filtration Systems
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works in an apartment in Melbourne may not suit a farm in Dubbo. Here's a breakdown of the most common types of home water filtration systems available in Australia, and what each one does best.
Whole House Filtration Systems
Whole house systems are installed at the point where water enters your home. This means every tap, shower, and appliance gets filtered water. These systems are great for families, large households, and anyone using tank or bore water. They usually combine sediment and carbon filters, and some even include UV or water softeners for added protection. If you're sick of rust stains, dry skin, or scaling in your kettle, this might be your best bet.
Under Sink and Benchtop Filters
These are the most popular filtration systems in city homes. Under sink filters are hidden away and connect directly to your cold-water tap or a separate filtered tap. Benchtop models sit next to the sink and hook onto the tap itself. Both are affordable, easy to maintain, and great for improving the taste and safety of your drinking water. They're not suitable for showers or appliances, though, so you’ll still be bathing in unfiltered water unless you install a whole-house system.
Shower and Bathroom Filters
If you have sensitive skin, eczema, or simply want softer hair, a shower filter could make a noticeable difference. These filters reduce chlorine and sediment in the water, helping you avoid that “pool water” feeling. They're quick to install and don’t cost the earth.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems push water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out even the tiniest contaminants, including fluoride, heavy metals, PFAS, and more. RO systems often include several stages of pre- and post-filtration. The result is highly purified water — almost nothing but H₂O. But they can waste water in the process and remove beneficial minerals, so many systems reintroduce minerals after filtration. RO units are usually installed under the sink.
UV Water Purifiers
UV purification uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It’s especially important if your water comes from tanks, bores, or wells. UV doesn’t change the taste or chemistry of the water — it simply sterilises it. It's often paired with other filters, like sediment and carbon, to make a complete system.
Activated Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are a staple in most household water systems. They’re excellent at removing chlorine, VOCs, pesticides, and improving taste and smell. These filters are affordable, low-maintenance, and usually found in under-sink, benchtop, and whole-house systems.
Sediment Filters
Sediment filters are the first line of defence, capturing large particles like sand, silt, rust, and debris. Without a sediment filter, your more expensive filters can clog quickly. They’re a must-have for anyone with bore or tank water, and they help protect appliances too.
Alkaline and Mineral Boosting Filters
Some filters raise the pH of your water and add back healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. These are often used alongside RO systems to restore taste and nutritional value. Alkaline water is popular in wellness circles, though evidence on health benefits is still mixed.