In Australia, tap water is generally clean and safe to drink. This is largely thanks to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. It ensures that your water provider has removed “harmful concentrations of chemicals [and] pathogenic microorganisms” from your tap water.
Nevertheless, water filters are necessary for many people. For example, tap water may have that lingering chemical smell and taste due to the addition of chlorine. If your water has old pipes, the water flow can carry sediments and other particles. It’s also possible for the clean water to harbour microorganisms later on.
With the help of water filters, you’ll not only improve the appearance, odour, and taste of your tap water. You can also be sure that there is as little mineral, chemical, and microorganism content in your water as possible.
Types of Water Filters
If you’ve decided that you indeed need a water filter, you need to consider various water filter profiles. There are many types of water filters to choose from and each one has pros and cons depending on your situation.
The simplest ones are jug or pitcher filters. They are small and easy to use, and the filters are also easy to replace. The downside is that filter life is quite short. Another option is tap-mounted water filters. What’s great about them is that you can easily switch between non-filtered and filtered water. For example, if you’re just going to wash your hands, you can use the non-filtered tap. The problem with tap-mounted filters is that you can’t use them for all taps. They also tend to slow down the water flow.
Under-sink water filters are popular options, although they can be expensive. They also require a few plumbing modifications. However, under-sink water filters save a lot of counter space. It can also last a while before you need to change the filter. Countertop filters work similarly to under-sink water filters. They do take up a bit of counter space but they’re easier to install. Finally, you can opt for standalone water filters, which can provide hot, cool, or cold water on-demand. However, these water filters take up some floor space.
Water Filter Systems
Water filter companies offer various mediums of filtration to suit your needs. Filtration uses a substance like carbon to make contaminants stick to the pores within it. It’s ideal for removing particles and making your water taste and smell better. Softeners, on the other hand, minimise the amount of minerals in your water.
There are also water filters that use distillation, which involves boiling the water then collecting the condensate. Another popular process is reverse-osmosis. It can remove a wide range of contaminants by putting the water under high pressure then passing it through a thin membrane. Lastly, UV treatment disinfects water using UV rays. This process can kill any lingering bacteria.
How Can You Be Sure That These Water Filters Work?
To make sure that your chosen water filters work, look for NSF Certifications. NSF 42 covers mostly aesthetic effects, while NSF 53 covers health effects. Look for NSF 44 for water softeners, NSF 58 for reverse-osmosis, and NSF 62 for distillation water filters. You should also look for the Australian Standard AS/NZS4348, which covers both aesthetic and health contaminants.
In summary: yes, water filters do work. You just have to choose the one that’s right for your needs.
