You probably need a whole house water filter if you notice chlorine smell in the shower, scale on taps and in the kettle, discoloured water after mains works, or you're on tank or bore water. If your city water tastes fine and none of those apply, you may not need one. A home water test settles it.
- City water in Australia is treated to meet the national guidelines.
- Filters fix taste, smell, sediment and scale, and treat tank and bore water.
- Test before you buy.
The checklist
- Your bathroom smells like a pool after a hot shower.
- Kettles, shower screens and taps get white scale.
- Water runs brown or cloudy after mains works.
- You're on rainwater, bore or a mix.
- Your home has older galvanised or copper pipes.
- Someone in the house dislikes the taste or smell of tap water.
Two or more ticks and a whole house system is likely worth it. One tick: a check will tell you whether a smaller fix does the job.
Is my tap water unsafe if I tick these?
No. Australian capital-city water is treated to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. These are taste, comfort and appliance issues, plus treatment for supplies the utility doesn't manage, like tanks and bores.
How do I find out for sure?
Book a free Home Water Check. A specialist measures nine things at your tap, including chlorine, hardness and dissolved solids, and shows every result next to the guideline. If you don't need a system, the report says so.
Questions
Do I need a water filter if I'm on town water?
Not for safety. Many families choose one for chlorine taste and smell, scale and sediment.
Do I need a filter for tank water?
Tank water isn't treated by a utility, so filtration plus UV disinfection is generally recommended for drinking and showering.
Written by the Whole Home Water team and reviewed against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. General information only; your Home Water Check gives advice for your home.
Plumbing and installation details reviewed by a licensed plumber. See our editorial policy.