When comparing water-filtration systems in Australia, customers often search for a WaterMark certified water filter. It is an important consideration—but it is also frequently misunderstood.
WaterMark relates to plumbing-product compliance. It does not, by itself, tell you how much chlorine, salt, PFAS, hardness or any other substance a filtration system will reduce.
What is WaterMark certification?
The WaterMark Certification Scheme is administered by the Australian Building Codes Board. It is a mandatory certification scheme for certain plumbing and drainage products.
According to the ABCB, certification is intended to establish that applicable products are fit for purpose and appropriately authorised for use in plumbing and drainage installations. The WaterMark database allows users to search by certificate or licence number, model, brand and product type.
A water-treatment product connected to a building’s plumbing must satisfy the requirements that apply to that product and installation.
Certification should be checked at model level. A certificate applying to one system should not automatically be assumed to cover every model sold by the same company.
What WaterMark does not prove
WaterMark certification is not the same as contaminant-performance testing. WaterMark alone does not establish that a system:
- removes every contaminant;
- produces microbiologically safe water from any source;
- reduces PFAS, fluoride, lead or pesticides by a particular percentage;
- softens hard water;
- is suitable for untreated rainwater or bore water; or
- will deliver the same performance under every household condition.
Those claims require separate supporting evidence relevant to the product, treatment technology, test conditions and substance being discussed.
A homeowner should distinguish between three questions:
- Is the applicable plumbing product appropriately certified?
- What treatment process does the system use?
- What product-specific evidence supports its performance claims?
A “yes” to the first question does not automatically answer the other two.
How this applies to reverse osmosis
The HG PureWater HGH-24 is a tankless under-sink reverse-osmosis system. Its published specifications list an 800 GPD membrane and purified-water flow of up to approximately 2.1 litres per minute under suitable conditions.
As checked on 22 September 2026, the official WaterMark database lists HGH-24 under licence 030093 as active, with an expiry date of 29 August 2031.
The WaterMark reference relates to plumbing-product certification. The reverse-osmosis membrane, sediment and carbon stages describe how the system treats water. These are separate forms of information.
The HGH-24 supplies treated water through a dedicated kitchen faucet for drinking and cooking. Output and cartridge life depend on incoming pressure, water temperature, water quality, usage and cartridge condition. It should not be described as treating every outlet or removing every possible substance.
Whole-house filtration has a different role
The HGW-03 is a three-stage whole-house filtration system for municipal water. It uses three 20-inch cartridges: polypropylene sediment filtration, granular activated carbon and carbon block.
Its primary purpose is to help reduce suspended particles and chlorine taste and odour before water reaches connected household outlets. Published specifications list a reference flow of 50–60 litres per minute, a one-micron filtration rating and an incoming-pressure range of 300–800 kPa.
This does not make it a reverse-osmosis system, water softener or microbiological-disinfection system. The filtration objective needs to match the property’s water source and actual concern.
Installation compliance still matters
Certification does not replace correct installation.
An appropriately licensed plumber should assess the cold-water connection, pressure, drainage, isolation valves, backflow requirements, power supply and servicing clearance relevant to the selected system.
For an installation quotation, HG PureWater may request photographs of the water meter, incoming pipework, proposed installation location and the area beneath the kitchen sink. These help identify additional pipework, pressure control, electrical work or site preparation.
Check the warranty separately
Certification and warranty are different. HG PureWater’s current warranty policy provides:
- a two-year product warranty for under-sink reverse-osmosis systems;
- a two-year warranty for water softeners;
- a 10-year parts warranty for whole-house filtration systems; and
- a one-year warranty for other products and accessories unless otherwise stated.
Replaceable filters, RO membranes and filtration media are consumables. The system-warranty period is not a guarantee of their service life, which varies with water quality, pressure, consumption and maintenance. Warranty terms apply; Australian Consumer Law rights apply separately.
A practical buying checklist
Before selecting a connected water-treatment system, confirm:
- the exact product model and applicable WaterMark details;
- the treatment technology and intended purpose;
- evidence supporting contaminant-reduction claims;
- installation and licensing requirements;
- replacement-filter availability and cost; and
- warranty scope and consumable exclusions.
Consider WaterMark alongside treatment performance, installation quality and ongoing maintenance.
