To Filter Or Not To Filter… That Is The Question!

There’s nothing like a watery conundrum to contemplate during your reno or build! Should you install a water filter? What even is a water filter?

Let’s dive right in with some facts to help you decide whether to filter or not to filter your water.

In this article:

• Pros of water filters
• Cons of water filters
• Types of water filters
• Conundrum solution

Pros Of Water Filters

Water filters are a household luxury with a range of benefits

A water filter is a physical barrier designed to trap debris and sometimes harmful bacteria to clean them out of your water.

That’s good. But, do you need one?

Clean water certainly isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic necessity. Fortunately, in Australia we generally don’t have to worry about the safety of our water supply.

So, unless you are using your own water source, like tank water, bore water or creek water, where you do need to take care of the nasties yourself, no, you don’t need a water filter.

It all comes down to whether you want one.

If you don’t like that taste or smell of your home water, if you have hard water, or if you fancy a little sparkling water on tap, then yes, you probably do want a water filter!

Wait, hang on, we mentioned hard water! Don’t run away. We’re keeping the water pressure low on this topic and wading through slowly….

Water filters can soften hard water

Hard water refers to the mineral content in water – things like magnesium, calcium and chlorine.

They don’t naturally exist in good old H₂O that falls from the sky. They hitchhike with your water on its journey to your tap. Minerals like magnesium and calcium dissolve with water as it moves through soil, rock and pipes. Chlorine is widely used by Australian water suppliers as a disinfectant – keeping our water safe to drink.

Some regions in Australia, like Queensland, are known to have hard water. Others, like Tasmania, have soft water.

The more minerals in your water, the harder it is.

The harder your water, the more detergent, soap and shampoo you’ll need for washing.

Hard water also means:

• deposits on faucets and fixtures
• stains, soap scum or residue that is hard to clean
• running out of hot water too quickly
• persistently clogged pipes

Water filters improve the taste and odour of water

One fact about having very safe drinking water is that the additives used to disinfect it, like chlorine, can influence the taste and smell of the water. Most filtration mediums will remove odour and taste particles from the water.

Mmm, refreshing…

Water filters turn your water into wine. No, sorry, sparkling water.

New water filter options are pouring into the market all the time. Some will give you instant boiling, chilled or sparkling water, just at the turn of a tap (or touch of a button as smart homes evolve!).

Cons Of Water Filters

Poorly maintained water filters can make your water quality worse

Water filter systems use water filter cartridges that actually do all the hard work. If you don’t maintain your system or replace your cartridges as required, contaminants can build up and make your water quality worse.

On average, water filters need to be replaced every 12 months.

Water filters are an ongoing cost, not just a one-off

With so many different options available, you can easily buy and install a water filter within your budget. But you have to factor in the cost of replacing your cartridges, with those ranging from $20 to $200+.

Removing the chemicals might not necessarily be a good thing

It’s controversial, but we have to say it. Some water supplies have fluoride to help with dental hygiene by building the enamel on your teeth. If you’re pro-fluoride and don’t mind the taste, then filtering it out may not be your cool drink of water.

Another thing: if disinfecting agents are filtered out, then harmful bacteria can regrow in your stored, filtered water. But it’s fine if you’re using the water straight away, especially if your system is well maintained.

Types Of Water Filters

Different systems

Our useful buying guide for water filters gives a great rundown of your water filter options, as well as other helpful tips about choosing and installing them.

Basically, there are five product variations:

• In-line filtering systems that connect to your tap from under your sink
• Sparkling, chilled and boiling water filters that also fit under your sink
• Filter taps that give you the choice of unfiltered or filtered water
• Satellite filter taps positioned separately to your main mixer
• Whole house filters installed at your mains.

At Tradelink, we sell all these variations in our kitchen water filters product range. They don’t just have to go in your kitchen. Water filters can go in your laundry or bathroom as well.

We only sell leading brands, including Raymor, Oliveri, Peppy and Puretec.

Importantly, we only sell water filters that meet mandatory Australian requirements.

Some products may come with additional certifications to prove they have been tested to work, which is something good to look for, especially if you are filtering contaminants because of a health condition.

Other factors to consider when choosing the right water filter:

• There are different filtration mediums, like UV treatment and distillation to disinfect water, and use of different substances to remove odour, taste, minerals and particles. The type you need will depend on what you are trying to filter out.
• Whether the system uses standard or non-standard cartridges, which are more costly and harder to source.
• Work out the volume of water that needs to be filtered, because they all have different capacities for how many litres of water can be filtered per minute.

Different styles

The style of your tapware can have a big impact on the whole look of your kitchen. Luckily, we have some very stylish options in our product range, so you can still achieve the look you love. Our Peppy 4-in-1 filtered taps come in a range of colours, including gunmetal, chrome, brushed nickel, brushed gold, matte black. They have a sleek, curved design that will suit almost any kitchen style.

Conundrum Solution

At the end of the day we can’t tell you whether to filter or not to filter. Your self-assessment will be based on what you want to filter and why, and whether you want the added convenience of instant chilled, boiling or sparkling water in your home.

If your water smells, tastes or looks funny, or is staining your fixtures and appliances, it could definitely be something to consider.

Our Tradelink showroom consultants can help you filter through all the different features and options in our water filter range. As local experts in a Tradelink near you, they also understand the potential contaminants you’re filtering for.

Contact us to book a virtual consultation, or find a store and come in for a chat.