While health authorities advise it is still safe to drink water straight from the tap, for the more health-conscious Australians this simply isn't good enough. Especially with the myriad of nasties that can be found in trace amounts in our municipal tap water. While it isn’t always a life or death situation, it certainly is a matter of your sustained health. Now let's go in to some more detail as to why you should be purifying the water in your home!

 

Luckily, water filters have come a long way, they’re affordable and easy to come by. There are however numerous things you need to keep in mind when choosing the filter that’s right for your individual needs - like what you need to filter out, what technology would work best, and what should a water filter actually leave behind.

What Should Water Filters Remove?

Ideally, your water filter should effectively remove all fluoride, heavy metals, chlorine, pharmaceutical drugs, and other chemicals such as pesticides that could end up in your drinking water. Filters should not, however, remove beneficial minerals and salts - we need these to maintain our internal balance and to promote water uptake.

The occurrence of pesticides from Agricultural activities contaminating our drinking water has increased over the last few decades. This is one of the less desirable effects of sustained economic and argicultural development in our communities, and can potentially have detrimental effects on our health. From stunted growth to difficulties with conceiving. 

Another concern is biological contaminants, such as E. coli or parasites. These can be deadly if consumed.

Other new-age contaminants that have found their way into our drinking water, are microplastics. These aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they can cause havoc to our systems. It’s no wonder so many people these days are complaining of IBS and other gut-related issues.

While some water contaminants can result in severe health issues over time, others can simply make the water taste bad. Either way, poor quality water isn’t something you would normally want to drink on a daily basis - if ever.

Do I need a water filter?

The next question you’re probably asking yourself is - do I actually need a water filter. This doesn’t always have an easy answer. If you don’t like drinking your water at home, then yes - you need one. If you’re worried about contaminants, then yes - you need one.

How can you know if your water is safe and free from contaminants? 

The dedicated water scientists of the Sydney Water and WaterNSW have made it possible for residents to check your water quality online. This report should give you an idea of your local water quality. If you live in another area of Australia, you can contact your local water treatment facility to get a report.

Worried about lead contaminants in your water? Get the right water filter

Back in 2018, Australian families were officially advised to let their taps run for at least 30 seconds in the mornings as a precaution amid fears of lead poisoning from plumbing products.

While the Australian Government stated that while it wasn’t necessary for Australians to test for heavy metals, precautions should be taken to reduce your potential intake, which can be increased through bad plumbing materials.

The right filter for heavy metals should have the right certification, and this will also tell you exactly how much the filters can remove. One concern many people have is that you might not know when it’s time to replace your filter, but there are models that have built-in notification systems that will alert you in advance.

What are the different types of filters?

While there are many filters on the market, each has its own benefits and special features. Your filtration system will determine the size and shape of the filter needed, but the type you want needs to be determined before you buy.

Carafe, or "pour-through", filters 

Easy to use, the carafe filter is a mobile pitcher that you can keep cool in your fridge. Many people like to use the pour-through filter in combination with a larger filtration system that purifies water from the tap. Carafe filters don’t last very long and as there is no way of knowing when the filter has had too much, it’s vital that you change the filter every few months (or weeks depending on your water quality).

A tap-mounted filter 

Easy to install, the tap-mounted filter goes directly onto your tap. The drawbacks of this type of filter are that they can only filter so much, they slow the flow of water and they have to be replaced every few weeks. 

Countertop filters 

The best filtration system that (generally) doesn’t require a plumber. These standalone systems can handle large volumes of water, are perfect for a family and heavy-duty filtering. They often have multiple filtration mechanisms that will give the best quality water. They take up a bit of space, but the quality is worth it.

Plumed in, Under-sick, Owners

These are perfect for office kitchens, or even in homes of large families. They are the units you would typically see under the sink and your plumbing and counter will need to undergo a bit of work. This is the ideal system for areas where it will be used frequently or where large amounts of water need to be filtered daily.

Point-of-entry, or "Whole-house", Filters

This is a great option for offices or homes where there could be multiple kitchens, drinking taps, or a laundry where hard water is of concern. These units are typically installed at the water’s point of entry and can be expensive and would require a professional to do so. They do offer a longer lifespan, and excellent filtration of sediment, rust, and, to some extent, chlorine. It might still be necessary to have a countertop or under-sink filter for specific pollutants, but this system will prolong their lifespan when used simultaneously.

Water filtration can hold many health benefits for your family, but knowing what pollutants you need to combat and what types of water filters are available will help you make the right decision. This will depend on where you live globally, and what type of water contaminants are present in your water. For example, if you live in Australia, you may be concerned about the bushfire ash that has made it's way in to drinking water supplies after the 2019/2020 bushfires.  If you would like any guidance in this matter we are always here to help.