How to Choose a Home Water Filtration System in Perth

Step 1: Know Your Water Source and What’s in It

Before you look at a single water filter, you need to understand what’s actually in your water. This is the most critical step in choosing the right water filtration system, because different contaminants require different technologies to remove.

In Perth, most homes draw from one of two sources: town water (mains supply via the Water Corporation) or rainwater tank water.

Town water is treated and disinfected, typically with chlorine, before it reaches your tap. That means it’s safe to drink, but it’s not necessarily clean-tasting. Chlorine affects flavour and odour, and depending on the age of your pipes, your tap water may also carry trace heavy metals, sediment, and other chemical contaminants picked up along the way. If you’ve ever wondered why your tap water looks cloudy, these are often the culprits. These are the common contaminants that most Perth households want to address.

Rainwater tank water is untreated. While it’s often perceived as cleaner, tank water can harbour bacteria, parasites, and organic matter, especially if the tank isn’t maintained regularly. Leaves, animal droppings, and debris accumulate over time, and without proper filtration, that water goes straight to your taps.

The takeaway: your water source determines your filtration needs. We’d always recommend getting your water tested before making a decision. A professional test, or even reviewing your local water quality report, gives you a clear picture of what you’re actually dealing with.

Step 2: Choose the Right System Type

Once you know what’s in your water, the next decision is where to filter it. There are two main approaches, and Proud Plumbing & Gas supplies and installs both.

Whole House Water Filtration Systems

A whole house water filter, also called a point-of-entry system, is installed on the main water line where it enters your property. Every drop of water that flows through your home passes through the filter before it reaches any tap, shower, or appliance.

The benefits of a whole house filtration system go beyond drinking water. Filtered water throughout the home protects your hot water systems from mineral buildup (which can reduce the lifespan of your unit), reduces chlorine exposure in showers (which can also contribute to leaking shower heads over time due to mineral deposits), and extends the life of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. If you’ve ever noticed mineral build up around your taps or showerheads, a whole house system addresses that at the source.

A whole house water filter is the best option for families who want comprehensive coverage, homeowners on bore or tank water, and anyone with sensitive skin or allergies aggravated by chlorine.

Under-Sink (Point-of-Use) Filtration Systems

An under-sink filter is a compact system installed beneath your kitchen tap. It delivers high-quality filtered water from a dedicated tap or your existing mixer, making it perfect for drinking water and cooking.

This type of filter system doesn’t require whole-house plumbing modifications, making it a practical choice for homeowners who primarily want to improve the quality of their drinking water without the cost or complexity of a whole house system. Many homeowners pair an under-sink reverse osmosis or activated carbon unit with a whole house sediment filter for layered protection, giving you clean water at every outlet and purified water at the kitchen tap.

Step 3: Understand the Filtration Technologies

Not every water filter removes the same things. Different technologies target different problems, and most filtration systems use a combination of stages. Here’s what each one does.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are the most common filter type in Australian homes, and for good reason. Activated carbon is highly effective at chlorine reduction, improving taste, and removing odours, which is exactly what most Perth households on town water are looking for. Carbon filters also reduce chlorine byproducts, pesticides, and certain volatile organic compounds.

Where they fall short: activated carbon filters on their own won’t remove dissolved minerals, fluoride, or bacteria. For those and other contaminants, you’ll need to pair them with additional technologies like reverse osmosis or UV sterilisation.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis is the gold standard for drinking water filtration. RO systems push water through a semi permeable membrane that removes impurities at a molecular level, filtering up to 99% of dissolved contaminants including heavy metals, fluoride, lead, and chemical contaminants. The result is exceptionally pure water that rivals (and often exceeds) the quality of bottled water.

Reverse osmosis systems are best suited as under-sink installations rather than whole house systems, since the filtration process produces a lower flow rate. Most RO systems include pre-filter and post-filter stages, typically sediment and carbon, for comprehensive protection. If your priority is the purest possible drinking water from your kitchen tap, an osmosis system is the right choice.

UV Sterilisation Systems

A UV system uses UV light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms without adding any chemicals to your water. This is essential for homes using rainwater tank water or bore water, where biological contamination is a real risk. Tanks can harbour bacteria that standard carbon or sediment filters simply can’t address.

Proud Plumbing & Gas supplies powerful UV systems that kill up to 99% of harmful microorganisms. These are typically paired with sediment and carbon pre-filters as part of a whole house filtration setup, giving you complete protection from both biological and chemical contaminants.

Sediment Filters

Sediment filters are the workhorses of water filtration. They trap dirt, rust, sand, and debris, acting as a pre-filter that protects the finer, more expensive filters downstream. You’ll find a sediment stage in most filtration systems, whether whole house or under-sink. They’re particularly important for older properties with ageing pipes or homes drawing from tank water where sediment levels tend to be higher.

Other options include ceramic filters, which use a porous ceramic shell to block bacteria and sediment and are a practical choice for rainwater systems. Water softeners are another option, specifically targeting calcium and magnesium to prevent hard water scale in your pipes and appliances.

Step 4: Match the System to Your Household Needs

With a clear picture of your water source and an understanding of the available technologies, the final step is sizing the right system for your home.

Household size and water usage matter. A family of five running multiple showers, a dishwasher, and a washing machine simultaneously needs a system with a higher flow rate than a couple in a small unit. If the flow rate of your filter system can’t keep up with demand, you’ll notice reduced water pressure and restricted water flow, and that’s a problem no one wants.

Filter cartridges and ongoing maintenance are an often-overlooked cost. Replacement filters typically need changing every 6–12 months depending on your water quality and usage. Budget for this upfront so there are no surprises. A system with cheap replacement cartridges that needs changing quarterly can end up costing more long-term than a premium system with annual changes.

Here’s a quick guide to help you narrow it down:

• Town water, want better drinking water: Under-sink activated carbon or reverse osmosis system beneath the kitchen tap. This is the most cost-effective upgrade for most Perth homes.
• Town water, want whole-home protection: Whole house carbon filter system to remove chlorine and reduce chlorine exposure at every outlet. Add an under-sink RO for ultra-pure drinking water.
• Rainwater tank water: Whole house sediment filter plus a UV system to kill bacteria. Pair with an under-sink RO or carbon filter for your drinking water.
• Bore water: Whole house multi-stage system with sediment, carbon, and UV sterilisation. Get your water tested first, as bore water can vary significantly.

If you’re unsure which combination is the right water filter for your home, that’s where a licensed plumber adds real value. Every home’s plumbing setup is different, and the wrong system or incorrect installation can reduce water pressure, void warranties, or leave contaminants unfiltered.

Why Professional Installation Matters

In Australia, any water filter system connected to the mains water supply must be installed by a licensed plumber. This isn’t just best practice. It’s a regulatory requirement under the Plumbing Code of Australia, and it protects your warranty.

Beyond compliance, professional installation ensures your system is correctly sized, properly plumbed, and performing as intended from day one. A licensed plumber can also assess your home’s existing plumbing, recommend the right water filtration system based on your water source and household needs, and make sure your water pressure isn’t compromised. Unfiltered water full of minerals and sediment can also contribute to premature wear on your hot water system and plumbing connections, so proper filtration is an investment that protects your entire home.

At Proud Plumbing & Gas, we supply, install, and service whole house and under-sink water filtration systems across the Perth metro area, from Mandurah to Two Rocks. We’re licensed plumbers and gas fitters, and we offer $0 call out fees and 24/7 emergency service if your current system fails.

Ready to Improve Your Home’s Water Quality?

Choosing the right water filtration system doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you need a simple under-sink drinking water filter for your kitchen tap or a comprehensive whole house filtration system to protect your entire home, Proud Plumbing & Gas can help.

We supply and install water filter systems across Perth with $0 call out fees and same-day service available. Our licensed plumbers will assess your water source, recommend the right system for your household needs, and get it installed properly.

Book your water filtration installation today or call us to talk through your options.