Choosing a home water-treatment system should begin with the property’s water source and the problem you want to address. Comparing prices or counting filtration stages before answering these questions can lead to unnecessary equipment or a system that does not suit the application.
Use this checklist before purchasing a whole-house filter, water softener or under-sink reverse osmosis system.
1. Identify Your Water Source
Start by confirming whether the property uses:
- Treated mains water
- Rainwater
- Tank water
- Bore or well water
- A combination of water sources
A system designed for treated municipal water should not automatically be recommended for an unregulated private supply.
Rainwater, tank water and bore water can have different sediment, chemical and microbiological concerns. A recent laboratory water-quality report may be required before suitable treatment can be selected.
2. Define the Main Water Concern
Avoid beginning with a particular product. First identify what you want to improve.
Common concerns include:
- Sediment or visible particles
- Rust from ageing pipework
- Chlorine taste or odour
- Hard-water scale
- Drinking and cooking water
- Unusual staining or odour
- A contaminant identified by laboratory testing
Different problems require different treatment processes.
A whole-house sediment and carbon system may be relevant for particles and chlorine taste or odour. A water softener is designed to reduce hardness. An under-sink reverse osmosis system provides more targeted treatment for drinking and cooking water.
No single system should be assumed to solve every water-quality problem.
3. Decide Where Water Needs Treatment
Consider whether treatment is required at one outlet or throughout the property.
An under-sink RO system supplies a dedicated drinking-water outlet, normally at the kitchen. It does not treat the water used by showers, bathrooms and laundry.
A whole-house system is installed near the main water entry and treats water before it reaches connected household outlets.
Some homes may benefit from a combination, but installing multiple systems is only justified when each one addresses a separate requirement.
4. Check Household Water Demand
Whole-house equipment must support the property’s peak water demand.
Record:
- Number of occupants
- Number of bathrooms
- Number of showers likely to operate simultaneously
- Appliances that use water
- Existing pressure or flow problems
- Pipe size and plumbing layout
Product flow specifications should be considered together with the incoming supply and existing plumbing. A stated system flow rate does not guarantee identical performance at every property.
For under-sink RO systems, consider how much drinking and cooking water the household uses and whether the purified-water flow is suitable for that demand.
5. Confirm the Available Installation Space
For whole-house equipment, provide photos showing:
- The water meter
- The main incoming pipe
- The proposed exterior wall
- Ground clearance
- Nearby services and equipment
- Access for installation and maintenance
For an under-sink system, measure the cabinet’s usable width, height and depth. Include the space occupied by waste pipes, valves and other connections.
Also check whether the selected system requires:
- Electrical power
- A drainage connection
- Weather protection
- Space for cartridge removal
- Access for future servicing
Do not order equipment based only on the apparent size of an empty area.
6. Review Maintenance Requirements
The purchase price is only one part of the ownership cost.
Before buying, confirm:
- Replacement cartridge prices
- Recommended service intervals
- Rated treatment capacity
- Membrane replacement requirements
- Water-softener salt requirements
- Professional servicing costs
- Availability of replacement components
- Warranty maintenance conditions
Filter life can vary with water use, sediment levels and incoming water quality. Avoid relying on a universal replacement schedule that is not tied to the exact product.
7. Check Product Evidence
Ask what evidence supports the claims being made.
Check:
- Exact product model
- Intended water source
- Operating pressure and temperature
- Rated flow or production capacity
- WaterMark information where applicable
- Contaminant-specific testing
- Warranty conditions
- Required replacement cartridges
A certification or test report for one model does not automatically apply to every product sold by the same company.
Do not rely only on broad claims about carbon, reverse osmosis or another treatment technology.
8. Confirm Installation and Support
Products permanently connected to household plumbing should be installed according to applicable Australian requirements and manufacturer instructions.
Before ordering, confirm:
- Whether a licensed plumber is required
- Whether installation is available in your postcode
- What the standard installation includes
- Which site conditions may create extra costs
- Who handles warranty and after-sales support
- How replacement filters will be obtained
Send HG PureWater your postcode, water source, household size, main concerns and clear installation photos. The team can then help compare a whole-house filter, water softener, under-sink RO system or suitable combination.
