A guide to water filtration: what it is, how it works, and what actually matters.
- Pippa Lee
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
what type of water filter do you actually need?
Water filtration can feel overwhelming; there are so many systems, so many claims, and so many price points. But once you understand that the format (how it's installed) and the filter media (what it actually removes) are two separate decisions, it becomes a lot clearer.
The other factor to consider is the cost and frequency of filter replacement. Some filters may cost less upfront, but the filter replacements are frequent and expensive, compared to say a whole-home that is more expensive up front, but the filter replacements are annually (or more) and cost about the same as the jug!.
Here's a plain-language breakdown of the most common options, so you can find what genuinely works for your home and your health.
Jug Filters
Jug filters are the entry point for most people, affordable, portable, with zero installation required. They typically use activated carbon (usually granulated coconut shell husk), which does a reasonable job of reducing chlorine, taste, and odour.
Some higher-quality jugs now incorporate KDF media, which uses a copper-zinc alloy to target heavy metals like lead and mercury, and provides some antibacterial protection.
The honest limitations: jug filters have a small cartridge with limited contact time, so they're not able to address the full range of contaminants like chloramines, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, or pesticides. They're a step in the right direction, but not a whole solution. Filter life is also short, and it's easy to forget to replace them, which can mean bacteria accumulate in the cartridge.
Best for: renters, travellers, or as a starting point while you work out a longer-term solution.
My recommendations:
Earthswater Glass Filter
Epic Water Epic Pure Jug.
Countertop / Gravity Filters
Countertop systems sit on your bench and are fed by gravity, no plumbing required. This makes them a popular choice for renters or anyone who wants a meaningful upgrade without a big commitment.
The filter media in countertop systems varies widely. Quality systems will use a combination of activated carbon, ceramic, and sometimes KDF.
Ceramic filters, made from diatomaceous earth (fossilised silica shells), are highly effective at trapping bacteria and sediment through their microscopic pore structure. When combined with carbon for chemical removal and KDF for heavy metals, you get a genuinely capable system.
Things to watch: quality varies enormously at this price point. Look for systems with independently tested, third-party certified cartridges and clear documentation of what they actually remove. Cheaper units may quote impressive-sounding percentages without the data to back them up.
Best for: renters, those in transitional housing, or anyone wanting a solid filter without installation.
My recommendations:
Village Pottery Co. with the 12L SCP Fluoride Plus filter (5% off with code Pippa5)
Under Sink / Point of Use
Under-sink systems are the most popular choice for homeowners wanting thorough filtration at the kitchen tap. Water is filtered before it reaches a dedicated drinking water tap (or your existing tap), and the system is hidden away in the cabinet below.
Carbon-based under-sink systems using high-quality activated carbon block or granulated carbon are highly effective at removing chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, and more. Look for systems using coconut shell carbon, which has a high surface area and excellent adsorption capacity. Many quality systems also incorporate KDF media for heavy metal reduction and silver-impregnated ceramic for antibacterial protection.
My recommendations:
Reverse osmosis (RO)
Reverse Osmosis Under-sink systems are often marketed as the gold standard. They do remove contaminants at very high percentages, including fluoride, heavy metals, nitrates, and pharmaceutical residues.
But there are some important trade-offs worth understanding.
RO water is stripped of all minerals, leaving it acidic and essentially lifeless. Dissolved minerals in water play a role in supporting immune function and cellular hydration. If you're using an RO system, a remineralisation stage is essential, not optional.
The other issue worth knowing: RO systems can waste up to 7 litres of water for every 1 litre of filtered water produced. In a country where water is a finite and precious resource, that's a significant consideration.
My recommendations:
Shower and bath filters
Showers and baths also fall into the point-of-use category and are often overlooked. Chlorine and chloramines don't just affect the water we drink; we absorb them through our skin and inhale them as steam in a hot shower.
Shower filters typically use KDF media, which is effective at higher temperatures (unlike carbon, which is less effective in hot water). Tap filters clip directly onto your existing tap and use carbon or ceramic media, a simple, affordable way to reduce exposure at the bathroom basin or laundry. Bath filters are almost impossible to find, and usually filter quite slowly. There is only one I have found that is effective, I have listed it below.
Best for: homeowners wanting targeted, high-performance filtration at specific points of use.
My recommendations:
Well Verti Shower Filter (5% off with code PIPPA)
Well Verti Bath Filter (5% off with code PIPPA)
Whole Home Systems
Whole-home systems filter water at the point it enters your home, meaning every tap, shower, bath, and appliance receives filtered water.
This is the most comprehensive approach because your exposure to contaminants isn't limited to what you drink.
These systems typically use a combination of media depending on your water quality and goals. A sediment pre-filter is usually the first stage, followed by activated carbon for chlorine and chemical removal, KDF for heavy metals and microbial control, and sometimes UV treatment for properties on rainwater tanks or bore water where bacterial contamination is a risk.
UV filtration uses high-frequency light to neutralise living organisms, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, without adding any chemicals. It's particularly relevant for rural properties and rainwater tank users. UV is effective but has no ability to remove chemical contaminants, so it's always used alongside other media, not as a standalone solution.
A note on activated alumina, which appears in some cheaper systems marketed for fluoride removal: this media, derived from bauxite, varies significantly in quality, has a limited lifespan, and its effectiveness depends heavily on your water's pH. There are also concerns about aluminium leaching back into the water. It's one to approach with caution, and worth researching thoroughly before committing.
Whole-home systems require professional installation and represent a larger upfront investment, but for families wanting comprehensive protection, particularly those with sensitivities, young children, or health considerations, they're often the most logical long-term choice.
Best for: homeowners committed to a whole-home healthy environment, families with health sensitivities, or properties on tank or bore water.
My recommendations:
Hello Water Filtration (email me for discount pricing). I like these guys because installation is included in the pricing and handled.
Documentation
Whatever filter system you're considering, ask for independent testing data, contaminant removal rates, and NSF certification.
Marketing language in this category can be impressive-sounding but vague; claims like 'removes up to 99% of contaminants' mean very little without specifics.
What contaminants?
Tested at what flow rate?
Over what lifespan?
NSF certifications give you a baseline to work from. NSF 42 covers taste and odour, NSF 53 covers health-related contaminants like lead and chloramines, and NSF 58 applies to reverse osmosis systems, but independent third-party lab data is the gold standard.
A reputable brand will make this information easy to find. If they don't, that tells you something
Minerals
Whatever system you choose, keep in mind that water isn't just a carrier for contaminants; it's also a source of beneficial dissolved minerals that support immune function, metabolism, and hydration.
The goal isn't the most aggressively purified water; it's clean water that still works with your body.
If you're using a system like RO or distillation that strips everything out, a remineralisation or alkalising final stage is worth the investment.
My Final Thoughts on Water Filtration
There is no single right answer here, and anyone who tells you there is is probably trying to sell you something.
The right filter is the one that fits your home, your water, your budget, and your life, and that might look different at every stage.
What matters is that you're asking the questions, reading the labels, and not taking marketing claims at face value. Start somewhere. Improve over time. And if you want a second opinion on what actually makes sense for your specific situation, that's exactly what I'm here for.
If you're unsure where to start, I'm always happy to help you think through what makes sense for your specific home, water supply, and health goals. You can work with me via havendesigned.com.au
This page contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I trust.
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