Town water is treated and monitored before it reaches your home, but that does not mean it will always look, smell or taste exactly the way you would like. You might notice a chlorine taste in your drinking water, cloudiness when you fill a glass or fine particles collecting around a tap.
These changes do not all have the same cause, and they do not necessarily mean your water is unsafe. Before choosing a water filter, it is worth working out what is actually bothering you. A system designed to reduce chlorine may not be the right answer for sediment, while a drinking-water filter will not change the water coming from your shower or laundry taps.
Here are some of the common reasons town water can look or taste off, what you can check first and which filtration options may help.
Why does town water sometimes taste like chlorine?
Chlorine is added to the drinking-water supply as part of the disinfection process. It helps keep the water safe while it travels through the network, although some people notice its taste or smell more strongly than others.
The intensity can also seem to change from time to time. Hunter Water recommends filling a jug and leaving it in the fridge overnight if you notice a chlorine taste or smell. If the smell is unusually strong or appears suddenly, contact your water provider before assuming filtration is the answer.
For a recurring chlorine taste or odour that you simply find unpleasant, an activated carbon filter may help. Carbon filtration is commonly used to reduce chlorine and improve the taste and smell of mains water.
Why does tap water sometimes look cloudy or milky?
Cloudy white water is often caused by tiny air bubbles. This can happen after planned maintenance or emergency repairs and will usually clear on its own.
To check, fill a clear glass or jug and leave it to sit for around ten minutes. If the water clears as the bubbles rise, trapped air was probably responsible. A filter is unlikely to be needed for a temporary issue like this.
If the water does not clear after sitting, or the change appeared suddenly and affects several taps, contact your water provider for advice.
What causes brown, yellow or dirty-looking water?
Maintenance, repairs and changes in water flow can disturb sediment in the supply network. Sediment may also come from older pipework within the property.
Hunter Water advises checking for local outages or works and flushing the outside tap closest to the meter. Avoid using the dishwasher, washing machine or hot water until the water runs clear, as discoloured water may stain laundry or affect appliances.
If the problem continues after flushing, report it to the water provider. When discolouration or particles are coming from the household plumbing rather than the supply, a licensed plumber can inspect the system and help identify the source.
For an ongoing sediment concern, a sediment filter may be appropriate. These filters are designed to capture particles such as dirt, rust and sand, but the correct cartridge and system will depend on the source and size of the particles.
What if the water tastes metallic, earthy or musty?
An earthy or musty taste can sometimes come from naturally occurring compounds in the water source, sediment in the network or organic matter within internal plumbing. Running the tap for a few minutes may clear water that has been sitting in the pipes.
A metallic taste or blue-green staining can point to copper being picked up from household pipework, particularly in older homes or at taps that have not been used for some time. If flushing does not resolve it, have the plumbing inspected rather than relying on a filter to conceal the symptom.
Strong chemical smells resembling petrol, kerosene or paint should be treated differently. Do not assume an ordinary household filter will make the water suitable to use. Contact the water provider and a licensed plumber so the cause can be investigated.
Which water filter is right for town water?
The best system depends on what you want to improve and where you want filtered water available.
Under-sink water filters
An under-sink filter treats water at one point of use, usually the kitchen. It may be a practical option if your main concern is the taste and smell of water used for drinking, cooking, tea and coffee.
Depending on the selected cartridge, an under-sink system may reduce chlorine, sediment and other specified substances. It also takes up less space than a whole-house system and focuses filtration where you use it most.
Whole-house water filters
A whole-house system is installed where the mains supply enters the property, filtering the water before it is distributed around the home. This means filtered water can be supplied to the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rather than a single tap.
The Puretec FilterWall F Series is designed specifically for mains or town water. Models within the range target concerns including sediment, chlorine, taste and odour, while selected models offer additional filtration features. The appropriate model depends on the size of the home, the required flow rate and the water concerns being addressed.
Whole-house filtration may suit households that want to reduce chlorine and sediment throughout the home, not only in their drinking water.
A filter should match the problem
It is tempting to choose a filter based on the longest list of claims, but more filtration is not automatically better. The wrong system may add unnecessary cost, reduce flow or fail to address the issue you can actually see, smell or taste.
Before recommending a system, we consider:
- whether the home uses town water, tank water or a combination of both
- whether the concern is taste, odour, sediment, hardness or something else
- whether filtered water is needed at one tap or throughout the home
- the household size, number of bathrooms and expected flow rate
- the installation location and ongoing cartridge-maintenance requirements
Filters also need regular maintenance. Cartridges become less effective over time and must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the conditions at the property.
Find the right water filter for your Hunter home
If your town water regularly tastes strongly of chlorine, contains sediment or simply is not pleasant to drink, Hunter Eco Plumbing can help you compare the options.
We supply and install Puretec water-filtration systems for homes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region. Our team can assess what you want to change, explain the difference between under-sink and whole-house filtration, and recommend a system suited to your home rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
Call Hunter Eco Plumbing on 0488 123 034 or request a quote for a home water-filtration system.
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