Under Sink Water Filter Systems

High flow undersink filter systems connect to your cold water line using braided stainless steel lines.

They filter 100% of the cold water being used by a mixer tap tap or appliance.

High flow filter systrems are designed to support higher flow rates — typically up to 5-6 litres per minute (depending on the filters used).

High flow units are the perfect choice when:

• You don’t want to install a dedicated drinking water tap
  Most under sink filter systems will use a dedicated drinking water tap or a 3-way tap for serving the filtered water they produce.  You may not want a dedicated tap, as you have a stone bench top, you don’t have enough room, or you simply don’t like the look of having a second tap on the bench. In this case, high flow may be the better option as it can operate through your mixer tap.
• You have relatively high quality water so don’t need ultra-fine filtration
  If you live in a location like Sydney or Melbourne, your water quality is already ‘reasonably’ good. For most people, the main concern in these areas will be taste/odour and chlorine.  If that is the case, you may decide that you only need to filter down to 5 microns, which most high flow units will achieve with ease.
• You prefer a simple installation
  High flow units typically have a much easier installation process. For example, our Twin High Flow Systems only require you to screw on a couple of braided stainless steel hoses. You won’t even need a plumber.
• You are renting and are wanting to take the system with you and are unable to make permanent changes to your kitchen or under sink plumbing configuration.

The only draw backs of high flow units are:

• Filters can be depleted faster
  100% of your cold water is being filtered so every time you turn on the cold water tap you will be using up filter capacity. If you use your cold water tap a lot when rinsing plates or watering plants, you may find that your filters need to get replaced more often.
• Filters are less fine 
  High flow units typically have filters which aren’t as fine as systems with dedicated taps as they must support higher flow rates. This means they are less capable of capturing ultra-fine sediment particles.
• Not ideal for some media types
  Certain types of filter media require a lot of contact time to be effective. If you wanted to remove fluoride, for example, you need to have more contact time between media and water — which means a slower flow rate is required.  This makes it more challenging to use in a high flow setup.

These water filter systems send filtered water to a dedicated drinking water tap or appliance. Can also be used with 3-way taps (see below).

Using this type of unit means you will have an additional lever or spout just for your filtered water.

Systems with a dedicated tap typically have a slower flow rate (< 2 Litres per minute) and use ultra-fine filters and/or membranes (for reverse osmosis).

Systems with a dedicated tap are ideal when:

• You Need To Reduce More Challenging Contaminants
  Reducing contaminants like heavy metals and fluoride require the use of specific filters which work at a slower flow rate.  They are best used with a dedicated tap, as it will typically flow at around 2 litres per minute.
• You Want To Use Reverse Osmosis
  Reverse osmosis systems use a combination of ultra-fine filters and membranes to create very pure water. However, they can only deliver this water at a relatively slow rate, using a dedicated tap.
• You Have Plenty Of Room Available
  If you have the space on your counter top so a dedicated tap will easily fit.

If you don’t like the idea of having a dedicated drinking water tap on your counter top or sink, you can install a 3-way tap.

3-way taps look similar to a standard mixer tap, but they have an additional lever for turning on filtered water. This lets you access filtered and unfiltered water from a single tap.

View our taps page to take a look at the 3-way taps that are currently available.  If you’d like to use a 3-way tap, purchase the filter system with ‘no tap’ then choose the 3-way tap of your choice.

Sediment filters reduce particulate contaminants including dirt, metal particles, bioslime, rust, and algae, They are simplest type of filter, working like a sieve, trapping particles in the water.

There are several different types of sediment filters including:

• String Wound Sediment Filters
  String wound filters are made from a fine cotton or polypropylene string wrapped around a cylindrical core.  They are an older technology and less commonly used today as there is more risk of sediment pushing through the filter. However, they remain useful for filtration of high temperature liquids.  See our 10 inch cotton wound filters and polypropylene string wound filters.
• Polypropylene / Polyspun Sediment Filters
  The most common sediment filter type in under sink water filtration systems. They are made from very fine polypropylene strands wrapped or ‘polyspun’ into a cylinder.  They are very affordable and provide excellent performance. Check out our polyspun filters.
• Graded Depth Polypropylene Filters
  Graded depth filters have multiple layers of polypropylene strands with gradually increasing density. This gives the filter progressively finer filtration as you approach the middle of the filter. A 5 micron graded depth filter might start with 10 microns on the outside, then have a section of 7 microns and finally a 5 micron core. This helps sediment push deeper into the filter, giving it more dirt holding capacity and improved flow. View some of our graded depth filters.
• Pleated Washable Sediment Filters
  Pleated washable filters are made with a thin paper-like material made from pleated polypropylene or polyester fibres. The pleats have a lot of surface area and can support higher flow rates. This type of filter can be washed several times, but they are typically more expensive than a disposable polyspun filter.
• Pleated Membrane Filters
  Thse are ultra-fine filters normally used for commercial food production, laboratories or medical facilities.

Activated carbon filters can be found in practically every under sink water purification system.

Carbon filters are made by processing a type of carbon so it has a huge number of pores on it’s surface. When water flow through the filter, these pores can absorb contaminants or change their form, usually through oxidation.

These days, most carbon filters are made using crushed coconut shell, a sustainable and eco-friendly material.

Activated Carbon can reduce a huge range of contaminants including bad taste/odour, chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, PFAS/PFOS and more.

Specialty carbon filters can also reduce heavy metals and can be more effective at difficult to reduce chemicals like volatile organic compounds.

We have a wide range of under sink carbon filters in the standard 10″ x 2.5′ size.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which has been found to prevent tooth decay. It is added to the water supply in most parts of Australia.

There is some concern that artifically boosting the level of fluoride in the water may have some negative health consequences,

Fluoride reduction filters will absorb most of the fluoride in the water. Reverse osmosis membranes can also be used to trap fluoride molecules.

Polyphosphate is a naturally occuring substance which is capable of sequestering (binding up) minerals like calcium and magnesium.

When these minerals are sequestered, it becomes more difficult for them to precipitate from the water to form hard limescale. It can also limit corrosion from water hardness.

These filters will use ion exchange resin to completely remove certain contaminants from the water.

Cation resins will remove positively charged molecules from the water, like calcium, magnesium. This type of resin is often referred to as a ‘softening’ resin as it reduces minerals which cause water hardness and limescale. It is often used in filters for coffee machines and steam ovens, which need to be protected from limescale.

Anion resins will remove negatiuvely charged particles like nitrates, sulfates, and silica,

Mixed bed resins contain both anion and cation resins. They can reduce the TDS of water to a very low point (as low as 0 TDS). This type of resin is often used in spot free systems, as it eliminates mineral spotting. Homebrewers and distillers also use it to create water that is a ‘blank slate’.

Alkalisers add minerals which increase the pH of water. They are sometimes used to correct low pH acidic water or to boost alkalinity of the water for health reasons.

Mineralisers work in a similar way, but may introduce a wider range of minerals, required for health reasons.

An RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane is a super-fine, semi-permeable barrier that uses pressure to force water molecules through tiny pores, blocking contaminants like dissolved salts, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals, resulting in highly purified water.

It only allows small water molecules to pass through while rejecting larger impurities based on size and electrical charge. The impurities are washed from the membrane into a drain line as waste. Membranes are useful for drinking water, desalination, agriculture and industrial processes.

Membranes can filter down to 0.0001 microns (approximately 0.1 nanometers) in size. However, this will vary based on several factors including membrane quality, age of membrane, flow rate, pressure, water temp and more.

Water filters can reduce a huge range of contaminants including chlorine, bad taste/odour, sediment, fluoride, heavy metals and much more. The types of contaminants reduced by filtration will vary based on the types of filters you are using.

Including a carbon filter in your filtration system will reduce bad taste and odour from contaminants like chlorine. You will find your water much more enjoyable to drink and any meals you prepare using water will also be more enjoyable!

Water filters can reduce contaminants which can potentially have a negative impact on your health in the long run. This includes elements like lead and copper, which are linked to chronic disease if ingested in high levels.

Some water filters will block, kill or incapacitate pathogens. For example, fine carbon block filters rated at less than 1 micron will reduce cyst parasites like cryptosporidium, cyclospora, and giardia. Ultra-fine ceramic filters can block common forms of bacteria, which makes them perfect for use on untreated water.

The term “Under Sink Water Filter” is used to describe any water filter system that is designed to be installed under the sink.

These types of units are usually compact, as there is rarely much room under a sink. They are also designed to be inserted along the water line, between the water inlet and a tap on the sink.

Under sink water filters systems will remove contaminants from your water, making it safer and more enjoyable to consume. The types of contaminants removed will depend on the filters you decide to install.

Due to the simple installation process and minimal space required, under sink systems are perfect for most homes, apartments, and offices. The smaller units can even be used in tiny homes, caravans, motor homes,  and RVs.

The lifespan of under sink water filters varies based on several factors. The most important are:

• The amount of water being put through the filter
  The more water being put through the filter, the faster the filter’s contaminant reduction capacity will be used up.
• The quality of the water
  If your water is quite clean and does not have high levels of chemicals, your filters will last much longer.
• The type of filter being used
  The quality of the filter and the type of media it contains can determine lifespan. For example, a chlorine filter have a longer lifespan that a fluoride filter, because of the type of media being used.

However, in general terms, the average 2-4 person household will get:

• 12 months from carbon filters filters like the WC04 or AP1025KDF/GAC.
• 12 months from sediment filters on reasonably good water. 6 months if your water is quite dirty.
• 6-12 months from a fluoride reduction filter. These filters have lower capacities (typically around 1,900 litres), so a busy household may use up the filter before 12 months.

Our best selling under sink water filter set is the 1025PS1 & WC04.

The 10 x 2.5″ 1 micron polyspun filter will reduce sediment down to 1 micron. This is then followed by the WC04 0.45 micron carbon block. This filter has a super fine micron rating which is great for reducing chlorine, chloramines, lead, heavy metals and microplastics. It is also cyst rated for Cryptosporidium / Giardia.

The contaminants that can be commonly found in tank water differ to those that can be found in town water.

Tank water filtration focuses on reducing sediment, decaying organic matter, bacteria & viruses, chemical overspray and much more.

If you don’t have or are unable to install a Whole House Filtration System then we would recommend installing an Under Sink Filtration System.

For the ultimate protection against harmful viruses, bacteria and pathogens we would suggest a system that includes UV sterilisation such as the Twin Under Sink Water Filter System with LED UV Steriliser.

This system uses the following 3 stages to produce safe and delicious tasting filtered water:

Stage 1: 10 x 2.5″ 1 Micron Polyspun Filter
Stage 2: 10 x 2.5″ GTS1-10 1 Micron Silver Carbon Block 
Stage 3: LED UV Steriliser 

The LED UV Steriliser differs from most UV systems in that the lamp does not require replacement. The system operates on a 5000 hour countdown timer which is only triggered when water is passing through the UV system meaning this little units have a great lifespan!

If an system with a UV component is not what you are after then we would recommend a Twin Under Sink System with filter specialised for tank water.

Yes!

To reduce Fluoride you will want to use a filter specifically designed for this task. Our Twin Under Sink Fluoride Water Filter System comes with two filter options for Fluoride removal.

Option 1: 1025PS0.5 & 1025Cerametix. The first stage 1025PS0.5 is a sediment filter. The second stage is a cleanable Cerametix Fluoride up to 92%, Chloramines and Heavy Metal Reduction cartridge.

FL051 & WC04. The first stage FL051 activated alumina Fluoride filter attracts the Fluoride reducing over 90% even after 1900 litres of water. The second stage WC04 Multipure 0.4 micron carbon block filter reduces chlorine bad taste and odours, heavy metals.

Both options will perform well, however it is important to be aware that the ceramic filters will require regularly scrubbing to keep it functioning well.

For particularly sediment heavy water supplies the Triple Under Sink Fluoride Water Filter System includes an additional polyspun sediment filter in the first stage to extend the life of the more expensive Fluoride and Carbon filters.

The term “hard water” refers to a water source that contains a high level of dissolved minerals.

It is usually described using the amount of calcium carbonate CaCO3 present in the water in milligrams per litre (mg/litre CaCO3).

Hardness levels can be categorised using the following;

Soft water is < 100 mg/l CaCO3
Slightly hard is 100 – 150 mg/l CaCO3
Moderately hard is 150 – 200 mg/l CaCO3
Hard is 200 – 300 mg/l CaCO3
Very hard is More than 300 mg/l CaCO3

If your water is is Soft to Slightly Hard, then a carbon filter containing polyphosphate can be used in your filter system for scale reduction.

Polyphosphate dissolves in water, sequestering (wrapping up) calcium molecules so they can’t precipitate from the water as easily to form limescale.

Polyphosphate may also be partially effective on Moderately hard water, but results will vary based on water chemistry and usage.

ion exchange resin provides a more reliable solution and one that works well on harder water sources.

Resin captures calcium and other dissolved minerals, exchanging those molecules for an inert molecule like sodium or hydrogen.

In terms of under sink systems, the most popular ion exchange resin units are made by Brita.

Brita filters combine sediment, carbon and resin filtration, which  reduce particulates such as dirt, sand and rust, chemicals such as chlorine and total dissolved solids such as calcium and magnesium.

When used with a Quell ST filter, Brita filter systems allow you to adjust the resin bypass setting on the filter head. This lets you adjust the amount of water going through the resin and therefore the level of minerals in your water.

The adjustable head is a very useful feature for coffee enthusiasts, as you can tweak calcium levels. Calcium adds brightness to the flavour of brewed coffee so you can add or remove it to balance flavour, filter longevity, and limescale reduction requirements.

Brita Under Sink Systems are a great option for areas with particularly hard water such as Western Australia and outback Queensland.

Yes, you can!

Most of the components are plug-and-play. Which means it’s a matter of pushing tubing into a hole or screwing in a fitting.

However, some systems are harder to install than others. If the system has a dedicated drinking water tap, then you will need to create  a hole in your countertop or sink. This involves the use of a 12mm hole saw, which might be a little daunting for some people.

There may also be some thread taping involved and checking of the unit for leaks. If you aren’t comfortable with that, then getting a plumber in is probably a good idea.

It would take most plumbers between 15-45 minutes to install an under sink filter unit. It will vary depending on plumber experience, ease of access, and the type of system being installed.

High flow filter systems are usually the easiest to install as they normally connect to your water supply and sink tap using standard 1/2″ braided lines. They can be screwed on using an adjustable spanner.

This will depend on what level of filtration you desire.

Typically, a Whole House Water Filter System will filter down to 5 micron, whereas an Under Sink Water Filter System can filter down to as low as 0.2 micron depending on the system and filter you purchase.

While it is possible to put 1 and 0.5 micron filters in a Whole House Water Filter System it can cause reductions in flow rate. If finer filtration for your drinking water is what you are after then we would recommend an Under Sink System.

Yes.

If you are wanting an Under Sink Filter System that you can take with you when you move house then a High Flow System with braided lines might be the best option.

This will mean that when it comes time to move you can simply disconnect the braided lines that came with your filter and reconnect the original braided lines between the cold water line and the faucet.

This is also a great option for renters!

Another option would be a counter top water filter, which screws directly onto your tap spout.

If you are unable to put in a dedicated drinking tap and want to filter water to your existing faucet you will need to install a High Flow Under Sink Water Filter System.

These systems come with 1/2″ braided line which can be installed directly onto your cold water line and existing faucet. They also come with filters that are specifically designed to operate under higher flow rates.

The High Flow Twin Under Sink System is a great option for those looking to use their existing faucet.

Yes.

Renters don’t have to suffer bad water! Whilst the bench top systems are a popular option for renters, some people either don’t have the bench top space or don’t like the idea of a system sitting on their bench.

An Under Sink High Flow System is installed directly onto your cold water line, delivering filtered water straight to your existing faucet. There are a number of great high flow options including:

• Twin High Flow System
• 3M Hiflow Under Sink Filter System 

The Twin High Flow System is a versatile option that takes a standard 10 x 2.5″ filter. The benefits of this system is that by using 2 filter cartridges we are maximising filtration capacity from both the sediment and carbon filtration. It is available with the following filter options:

1025PS1 & GTS1-10 (Tank Water)
1025PS5 & AP1025KDF/GAC (Town Water)
FL051 & AP1025KDF/GAC (Town Water/Fluoride Reduction)
1025PS5 & 1025PHOS/GAC (Town Water/Scale Reduction

The 3M HiFlow Under Sink Filter System is a single quick change filter system that also has a number of filter options. The advantage of this system is it’s quick change functionality and its more compact design.