How to Choose a Water Filter
Six things to check before you buy, from your water source to running costs.
The right water filter depends on your water and how you use it, not on the number of stages printed on the box. Check these six things before you buy.
1. Where your water comes from
Municipal, bore and tanker water can be very different, and water can vary between neighbourhoods. Bore and tanker water often carry more dissolved salts, while municipal water may be low in salts but treated with chlorine.
2. What is in it
A TDS reading tells you whether you need RO. A water test also shows hardness and other problems. Without it, you are guessing.
3. How much water you need
Home systems are rated in gallons per day (GPD); commercial and industrial plants in litres per hour (LPH). Size from your family or the number of people served and your busiest times, not the biggest model available.
4. Space, pressure and power
Check the space under the sink or on a wall, the water pressure (RO usually needs a booster pump where pressure is low), and whether there is a power point for the pump or UV lamp.
5. Running costs
Every system needs filter changes. Ask what each replacement costs and how often it is needed, so you know the real cost over a few years, not just the price on day one.
6. Installation and after-sales service
A good system badly installed performs badly. Ask who installs it, whether the output is tested, and who services it afterwards.
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