PFAS, Chlorine or Hard Water? How to Choose the Right Water Filter for Your Home

Jun 4, 2026

Choosing a water filter sounds simple until you start comparing the options. Some homeowners want better tasting drinking water. Others are concerned about chlorine, sediment, PFAS, hard water scale, tank water, odour, low flow or cartridge replacement.

The important thing to understand is that “a water filter” is not one single product. A filter designed for chlorine taste and smell may not be the same as a system used for sediment, whole-home filtration, reverse osmosis drinking water, tank water or scale management.

Installed Today can help homeowners compare product options such as water filters, whole home water filtration, drinking water filtration systems, reverse osmosis systems, water filter cartridges and service kits, rainwater pumps, rain harvesting pump sets and mains water pressure boosting pumps.

For water filter installation, plumbing changes, leak repairs, pump installation, pressure diagnosis, tank plumbing or on-site advice, use a licensed plumber such as JR Gas & Water through their plumbing services across Greater Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Quick answer

The right water filter depends on what you want to reduce. Carbon filters are commonly used for chlorine taste and odour, sediment filters help with visible particles, reverse osmosis is often considered for more advanced drinking water filtration, and whole-home systems are designed to filter water entering the house. Installed Today can help compare filter products, cartridges, pumps and related water systems, but plumbing installation and on-site diagnosis should be handled by licensed trades.

Start with the concern, not the product

Most homeowners start by asking, “What is the best water filter?”

A better question is, “What do I want the filter to help with?”

Common reasons people compare water filters include:

Chlorine taste or smell
PFAS concerns
Sediment or visible particles
Hard water scale
Cloudy water
Tank water
Rainwater supply
Drinking water quality
Whole-home filtration
Appliance protection
Shower and bathroom water feel
Cartridge replacement problems
Poor flow from an existing filter
Pump or pressure issues

Each concern may need a different approach. A small under-sink drinking water filter may suit one home, while another home may need whole-home filtration, pre-filtration, reverse osmosis, a replacement cartridge kit, or a pump setup that better suits the water supply.

Installed Today can help compare water filters based on the actual concern, not just the product name.

When Installed Today can help

Installed Today is useful when you want to compare products before buying or replacing a system.

This may include:

Comparing under-sink drinking water filters
Comparing reverse osmosis systems
Comparing whole-home filtration systems
Finding suitable replacement cartridges or service kits
Comparing filters for taste, odour, sediment or other concerns
Comparing rainwater pump products
Comparing rain harvesting pump sets
Comparing mains pressure boosting pump options
Reviewing product options before a licensed plumber completes installation
Planning filter products before a kitchen renovation or home upgrade

Installed Today can help compare:

Installed Today is product-focused. If the job needs plumbing work, filter installation, pipework changes, pump installation, leak detection or pressure diagnosis, use a licensed trade.

When JR Gas & Water is the better next step

Some water filter decisions need site advice before the right product is chosen.

Use JR Gas & Water for:

Plumbing services across Greater Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Water filter installation
Whole-home filter plumbing
Under-sink filter connections
Reverse osmosis installation
Leak repairs around filter housings
Pressure checks
Rainwater tank plumbing and pump connections
Pump installation and site plumbing
Pipework changes
On-site diagnosis before choosing a system

If you are unsure whether the home needs a filter, pump, pressure booster, cartridge change or plumbing repair, get the site checked before ordering a product.

PFAS concerns: choosing carefully

PFAS has become one of the most discussed water quality concerns in Australia. For homeowners, the main point is to choose carefully rather than assuming every premium filter is suitable.

PFAS reduction depends on:

Filter type
Cartridge technology
System design
Flow rate
Contact time
Maintenance
Replacement cartridge schedule
Whether the product is designed for that concern

Common filtration approaches considered for PFAS reduction include:

Activated carbon filtration
Specialist carbon cartridges
Reverse osmosis drinking water systems
Multi-stage drinking water systems
Systems designed for specific contaminant reduction

Not every carbon filter is the same. Not every reverse osmosis system is the best fit for every home. The right option depends on whether the household wants drinking water filtration at one tap, a more advanced point-of-use system, or a broader whole-home approach.

Installed Today can help compare drinking water filtration systems and reverse osmosis systems where more targeted drinking water filtration is being considered.

Chlorine taste and smell

Chlorine taste and smell is one of the most common reasons homeowners compare drinking water filters.

You may notice:

A pool-like smell from tap water
Strong taste in drinking water
Unpleasant smell when filling bottles
Tea or coffee tasting different
Ice cubes affecting drink flavour
Family members avoiding tap water
A preference for bottled water

Carbon filtration is commonly used to help reduce chlorine taste and odour. This may be done through an under-sink drinking water filter, a filtered water tap, or a whole-home filtration system depending on what the homeowner wants filtered.

If the concern is mainly drinking water taste, an under-sink system may be enough. If the homeowner wants filtered water throughout the home, a whole home water filtration system may be worth comparing.

Sediment and visible particles

Sediment filtration is different from taste and odour filtration.

Sediment may show up as:

Grit in tap water
Discoloured particles
Dirty pre-filters
Sand-like material
Cloudy water after plumbing work
Sediment in tank water
Particles affecting fixtures or appliances
Filter cartridges clogging quickly

Sediment filters are commonly used as a first stage to capture particles before water reaches finer cartridges or fixtures. This can be especially relevant for rainwater, tank water, some rural properties, older pipework or whole-home filtration systems.

If sediment is heavy, the system may need pre-filtration before finer filtration. Choosing a filter that is too fine too early can create flow problems and frequent cartridge changes.

Installed Today can help compare whole home water filtration and water filter cartridges and service kits. For tank plumbing and pump connections, use JR Gas & Water.

Hard water and scale

Hard water is usually discussed in relation to mineral content, scale and residue.

Homeowners may notice:

White marks on shower screens
Scale around taps
Build-up on kettles
Soap not lathering well
Dry-feeling water
Spots on glassware
Scale around fixtures
Build-up in appliances
Reduced flow through some fixtures over time

Hard water treatment is not the same as standard carbon filtration. A filter used for chlorine taste and odour may not solve scale concerns.

Depending on the home and the issue, hard water solutions may involve scale reduction products, water conditioning, softening-style systems or other treatment methods. The right choice depends on water chemistry, household expectations, budget, available space and maintenance needs.

Before buying a filter for hard water, make sure the product is intended for that type of concern.

Whole-home water filters vs under-sink filters

One of the biggest decisions is whether to filter water at one tap or filter water entering the whole home.

Under-sink drinking water filters

Under-sink filters are usually installed at the kitchen sink or another drinking water point.

They may suit homeowners who mainly want:

Better tasting drinking water
Filtered water for bottles
Filtered water for cooking
A separate drinking water tap
A compact point-of-use solution
More targeted drinking water filtration
A kitchen-focused product

Under-sink filters can be a good fit when the main concern is drinking water rather than showers, laundries, toilets or outdoor taps.

Installed Today can help compare drinking water filtration systems.

Whole-home water filters

Whole-home filtration systems filter water before it travels through the house.

They may suit homeowners who want:

Filtered water at multiple taps
Filtration before bathrooms and laundries
Sediment reduction before fixtures
Chlorine reduction throughout the home
Whole-property water treatment
Water treatment before fixtures and appliances
A broader home water upgrade

Whole-home systems need to be matched carefully to flow rate, pressure, pipework, available space and cartridge servicing. A system that is too restrictive can reduce pressure. A system that is too small may not keep up with household demand.

Installed Today can help compare whole home water filtration products before site work is arranged with a licensed trade.

Reverse osmosis drinking water systems

Reverse osmosis is often considered when homeowners want more advanced drinking water filtration at a dedicated tap.

A reverse osmosis system may be relevant for concerns such as:

More refined drinking water filtration
PFAS concerns where the correct system is selected
Taste and odour improvement
Dissolved solids reduction
Dedicated kitchen drinking water
Homeowners who want a higher level of point-of-use filtration

Reverse osmosis systems are not automatically the right answer for every home. They need space under the sink, correct installation, cartridge access and ongoing maintenance.

Before choosing reverse osmosis, consider:

Cabinet space
Tap location
Filter change access
Water pressure
Household drinking water demand
Cartridge and membrane replacement
Whether a storage tank is required
Whether the system suits the concern

Installed Today can help compare reverse osmosis systems. Plumbing installation should be handled by licensed trades.

Tank water and rainwater filtration

Tank water filtration can require a different approach from town water filtration.

Rainwater tank systems may need attention around:

Sediment
Organic matter
First flush systems
Pump protection
Pre-filtration
Cartridge maintenance
UV treatment where suitable
Tank condition
Roof catchment
Pressure and flow
Pump sizing
Drinking water suitability

A tank water filter setup may need a staged approach, especially if water is used for household supply rather than garden use only.

Homeowners with rainwater tanks should not assume a simple drinking water cartridge will solve every issue. The system should be matched to water source, intended use, pump setup, flow demand and maintenance needs.

Installed Today can help compare rainwater pumps, rain harvesting pump sets, water filters and water filter cartridges and service kits.

For tank plumbing, pump installation and pipework, use JR Gas & Water’s rainwater tank plumbing service.

Water filters and water pressure

Water filters can affect water pressure if they are undersized, overdue for cartridge replacement, installed incorrectly or too restrictive for the household flow rate.

Pressure issues may show up as:

Slow drinking water tap
Weak shower flow after a whole-home filter
Reduced flow after a cartridge change
Pressure drop when multiple fixtures run
Pump cycling more often
Filter cartridges clogging quickly
Whole-home flow feeling restricted

The answer is not always a bigger pump or a different filter. The system needs to be checked properly.

Possible causes include:

Cartridge past its service life
Filter too small for the home
Sediment loading the pre-filter
Incorrect cartridge type
Poor installation location
Flow demand higher than system capacity
Existing pressure limiting valve issue
Pump or pipework problem

Installed Today can help compare replacement cartridges, whole-home filters, pressure pumps and rainwater pumps. For pressure diagnosis and plumbing work, use licensed trades.

Filter cartridges and service kits

A water filter is only as good as its cartridge maintenance.

Overdue cartridges can cause:

Reduced flow
Changed taste
Odour returning
Sediment build-up
Pressure drop
Reduced filtration performance
Leaking housings if disturbed or poorly maintained
Unknown filter performance

Cartridge life depends on:

Water quality
Household usage
Filter type
Cartridge size
Sediment levels
Chlorine level
Whether the system is drinking water or whole-home
Manufacturer requirements

A common mistake is installing a filter and then forgetting about it. Filters need scheduled servicing so they continue to perform as intended.

Installed Today can help compare water filter cartridges and service kits for suitable systems.

Choosing the wrong filter can create problems

Not all filters solve the same issue. Choosing the wrong filter can lead to disappointment, poor flow or unnecessary cost.

Common mistakes include:

Buying a filter for taste when the real issue is sediment
Expecting a basic filter to address PFAS concerns
Choosing whole-home filtration when only drinking water is the concern
Choosing an under-sink filter when the whole home needs treatment
Installing a filter too small for household demand
Forgetting cartridge replacement costs
Ignoring water pressure
Ignoring pump performance
Not allowing room for servicing
Installing filter housings where they cannot be accessed
Not checking whether the filter suits tank water

The right product depends on the concern, the water source and the home.

Water filters during kitchen renovations

A kitchen renovation is one of the best times to plan a drinking water filter.

Before cabinets and benchtops are finalised, consider:

Under-sink filter space
Drinking water tap location
Reverse osmosis space
Cartridge replacement access
Sink mixer location
Dishwasher hose clearance
Pull-out bin clearance
Fridge water point
Isolation valve access
Future servicing access

A filter squeezed into a finished cabinet can be harder to service. Planning early keeps the system neater and easier to maintain.

Installed Today can help compare drinking water filters, reverse osmosis systems and cartridges before the kitchen layout is finalised. For plumbing rough-ins, installation, fridge water points or dishwasher connections, use JR Gas & Water’s kitchen renovation plumbing service.

Whole-home filtration during bathroom or laundry upgrades

Most filtration decisions happen around the kitchen, but whole-home filtration affects bathrooms and laundries too.

This matters if you are concerned about:

Chlorine smell in showers
Scale on shower screens
Sediment in fixtures
Whole-home water quality
Laundry water quality
Cartridge access
Pipework layout
Pressure changes after filtration

If a bathroom renovation or laundry upgrade is already planned, it may be a good time to consider whether whole-home filtration is a better fit than point-of-use filtration.

Installed Today can help compare whole home water filtration. For plumbing changes, bathroom renovation plumbing or on-site installation, use licensed trades such as JR Gas & Water.

Filters, pumps and household demand

Filters and pumps often need to work together, especially in homes with tank water, long pipe runs or pressure issues.

A filter may underperform if:

The pump is undersized
The cartridge clogs quickly
The system is too restrictive
Water quality is loading the filter heavily
Flow demand is too high
The home has added bathrooms or fixtures
The pump cycles too often
Pressure is already low before filtration

A pump may also be blamed for problems caused by clogged filters or poor pipework.

Installed Today can help compare rainwater pumps, rain harvesting pump sets and mains water pressure boosting pumps, but pump selection should be matched to the home’s water source, pressure requirements and installation conditions.

Brisbane, Gold Coast and SEQ water filter considerations

Water filter needs vary across South East Queensland.

Brisbane homes may deal with chlorine taste, older pipework, high-set homes, long pipe runs, older renovations, pressure valves and water quality preferences around drinking water.

Gold Coast homes may deal with coastal conditions, apartments, townhouses, body corporate access, outdoor plumbing exposure and limited space for whole-home filter installation.

Acreage and outer SEQ properties may involve rainwater tanks, pumps, sediment, long pipe runs, sheds, irrigation, whole-home filtration and more complex water supply setups.

Townhouses and apartments may need extra planning because access, shared services, body corporate rules and installation space can affect what is practical.

That is why filter choice should be based on the property, not just the concern.

What homeowners can safely check

Homeowners can do a simple check before comparing products.

Check:

Whether the issue is taste, smell, sediment, scale or pressure
Whether the home uses town water, tank water or both
Whether you want drinking water only or whole-home filtration
Whether pressure is already low
Whether there is space under the sink
Whether there is space near the water entry point
Whether cartridges are easy to access
Whether the current filter has service history
Whether there are leaks around old housings
Whether a pump is involved
Whether the filter is part of a renovation plan
The current filter brand, model and cartridge details if visible

Avoid unsafe or unsuitable work such as:

Cutting into main water lines yourself
Opening pressurised filter housings without knowing the system
Modifying pump plumbing
Adjusting pressure valves
Working near electrical equipment
Installing systems where they cannot be serviced
Using a filter for a concern it is not designed to address
Assuming tank water is suitable for drinking without appropriate treatment advice

Plumbing, pump and installation work should be completed by licensed trades.

Product comparison or licensed site work?

A product comparison may make sense when:

You want better tasting drinking water
You are comparing reverse osmosis
You need replacement cartridges
Your current filter is too small
You want whole-home filtration
A pump is old or unreliable
A pressure booster no longer suits the home
You are planning a kitchen renovation
You want to compare product types before ordering

Licensed site work is needed when:

Plumbing needs to be altered
A filter needs installation
A pump needs installation
A filter housing is leaking
Water pressure has dropped suddenly
Pipework needs changing
Tank water plumbing is involved
The home needs on-site diagnosis
Electrical work is involved
The system must connect into the main water line

Installed Today is best for comparing products. JR Gas & Water is best for installation, plumbing repairs, pump work and site diagnosis.

Common water filter scenarios

“My water tastes like chlorine.”

A carbon drinking water filter or whole-home carbon filtration may be worth comparing, depending on whether the concern is drinking water only or the whole house.

“I am concerned about PFAS.”

Look for a system designed for that concern and avoid assuming all filters perform the same. Reverse osmosis or specialist filtration may be worth comparing for drinking water, depending on the home and requirement.

“There is sediment in the water.”

Sediment filtration may be needed, possibly as a pre-filter. Tank water and pump setups may need extra planning.

“My shower screens keep scaling.”

This may be a hard water or scale issue, not a standard taste-and-odour filter issue. The system needs to match the concern.

“My filter has low flow.”

The cartridge may be blocked, undersized, overdue for replacement or too restrictive for the home. Pressure, pump and plumbing conditions should also be checked.

“I want filtered water everywhere.”

Whole-home filtration may suit, but it needs to be matched to flow rate, pressure, cartridge type, space and servicing access.

FAQs

What water filter should I buy?

The right water filter depends on what you want to reduce. Chlorine taste, PFAS concerns, sediment, scale, tank water and drinking water quality may each need a different filtration approach.

Can Installed Today help compare water filters?

Yes. Installed Today can help compare water filters, whole-home filtration systems, drinking water filtration systems, reverse osmosis systems, cartridges, service kits, rainwater pumps and pressure boosting pumps.

Are all water filters the same?

No. Different filters use different cartridges, media and system designs. A filter for chlorine taste may not be suitable for sediment, PFAS, hard water scale or tank water treatment.

What filter helps with chlorine taste and smell?

Carbon filtration is commonly used to help reduce chlorine taste and odour. This can be installed as a drinking water filter or as part of a whole-home filtration system depending on the home.

What filter should I consider for PFAS?

PFAS reduction depends on system design, cartridge type and product suitability. Reverse osmosis and specialist filtration systems are often considered for drinking water, but the product should be matched carefully to the concern.

Is whole-home filtration better than an under-sink filter?

Not always. Whole-home filtration suits homeowners who want water filtered throughout the property. Under-sink filtration may be better when the main concern is drinking water at the kitchen tap.

Can a water filter reduce pressure?

Yes. A clogged, undersized or overly restrictive filter can reduce flow. Whole-home systems need to be matched to household demand and pressure.

Does Installed Today install water filters?

Installed Today is product-focused. Product pricing should be treated as supply-only unless an installed option is clearly selected. Plumbing, pump, electrical and site work should be completed by licensed trades.

Need to compare water filters, cartridges or pumps?

If you are comparing products for PFAS concerns, chlorine taste, sediment, hard water scale, tank water, drinking water or whole-home filtration, start with the actual problem you want to solve.

Installed Today can help you compare water filters, whole home water filtration, drinking water filtration systems, reverse osmosis systems, water filter cartridges and service kits, rainwater pumps, rain harvesting pump sets and mains water pressure boosting pumps.

For installation, plumbing changes, pressure diagnosis, tank water plumbing, pump installation or leak repairs, book JR Gas & Water through the quote request and bookings page.

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