One of the most common questions I am asked is what brand of water filter do I recommend? In a bid to help manage the masses, I’ve popped my favourites below.

WHO SHOULD BE FILTERING THEIR WATER? 

Many of us can benefit from water filtration, however I always recommend filters to patients considering pregnancy and/or hydrating young children: 

• A study published in the JAMA Paediatrics suggested that maternal exposure to higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy was associated with lower IQ scores in children aged 3 to 4 years.
• A seven-year battle between the EPA and the public interest regarding the fluoridation of public drinking concluded in October, 2024.  U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen concluded the following in his ruling😕
  
  “[T]he Court finds that fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter (“mg/L”) – the level presently considered “optimal” in the United States – poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children…. [A] risk sufficient to require the EPA to engage with a regulatory response….”
  
  “There is little dispute in this suit as to whether fluoride poses a hazard to human health. Indeed, EPA’s own expert agrees that fluoride is hazardous at some level of exposure. And ample evidence establishes that a mother’s exposure to fluoride during pregnancy is associated with IQ decrements in her offspring. The United States National Toxicology Program (“NTP”) – the federal agency regarded as experts in toxicity…. concluded that fluoride is indeed associated with reduced IQ in children, at least at exposure levels at or above 1.5 mg/L (i.e., “higher” exposure levels)….”
  
  “In all, there is substantial and scientifically credible evidence establishing that fluoride poses a risk to human health; it is associated with a reduction in the IQ of children and is hazardous at dosages that are far too close to fluoride levels in the drinking water of the United States. And this risk is unreasonable under Amended TSCA. Reduced IQ poses serious harm. Studies have linked IQ decrements of even one or two points to e.g., reduced educational attainment, employment status, productivity, and earned wages.”
  
• If you’d like to read the report from the United States National Toxicology Program, you can find it here. As to whether or not Australia will be following suit, we’ll have to wait and see.

WHAT WATER FILTERS DO I RECOMMEND?

Before you consider a water filter, please understand that the filters MUST be replaced as per the product recommendations, if not sooner. The filter life span listed in the products I have recommended are based on typical Australian municipal water contents and may vary based on average daily usage & quality of water being filtered. Please consider this when doing your cost/benefit analysis.

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WATER JUG:

This portable water jug is budget friendly and a perfect place to start.
PROS:

• Holds approximately 1L of water
• Easy to refill and perfect to have on your desk whilst you work
• Easy to take with you as you move between work, home and even a weekend away.
• According to the manufacturer, this remove up to 99% of Fluoride and forever chemicals (PFAS PFOA) using activated carbon*
• Filters up to 300 litres and has a replaceable filter cartridge*

CONS:

• It is made from plastic.
• For QLD residents, unfortunately, this filter doesn’t change the taste of our water – see notes below. As for other states, I can’t comment due to the fact I am a QLD resident, but please let me know if you’ve had any success!

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BENCH-TOP WATER FILTER

After much research I’ve finally landed on this bench-top water filter.

PROS:

• It’s made from glass (no BPA)
• According to the manufacturer, reduces 99.99% of fluoride, chlorine and heavy metals*
• They have a number of sizes available to suit different budgets.
• Can be taken with you if you move house.

CONS:

• It does take up a lot of bench space. 
• For QLD residents, unfortunately, this filter doesn’t change the taste of our water – see notes below.  As for other states, I can’t comment due to the fact I am a QLD resident, but please let me know if you’ve had any success!
  

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UNDER SINK FILTER:

I’m not going to lie, searching for an under-sink filter was tough. None of them are as effective as the bench-top water filter (listed above) in removing water impurities however, this one came close: Waters Co BioMax Under Sink Filter.

Being new to the market, we couldn’t find may reviews so we decided to take a chance and dive in.

PROS:

• No bench clutter – this filter is completely hidden away from sight.
• It was the ONLY under sink filter I could find that didn’t use aluminum (one of the metals we’re trying to avoid) to remove impurities from drinking water. Crazy, I know.
• Filters last 2-3 years before a replacement is required.
• Marketing states that it “removes up to 99.9% fluoride, micro plastics, pesticides, pathogens, viruses, organic & inorganic chemicals, micro organisms, heavy metals including lead, copper, aluminum, mercury and others”. I have asked for the report, I am still waiting to hear back. 

CONS

• It’s worth noting that the water pressure is reduced due to 4 stage filtration process (AKA it takes a little longer to fill up your water bottle)
• There is no filter tap included in the purchase price. You can pick this up from any hardware or plumbing store for around $120 however, it does add to the price.
• For QLD residents, unfortunately, this filter still doesn’t change the taste of our water – see notes below.  As for other states, I can’t comment due to the fact I am a QLD resident, but please let me know if you’ve had any success!

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SHOWER FILTER:

We have Nature’s Sunshine Sprite Shower Filter at home and love it. Since installing it the water has become much softer and we’ve noticed a significant reduction in the smell of chlorine each time we wash.

PROS:

• Zero chlorine smell when bathing – BLISS.
• Adding this shower filter is incredibly easy, it fits EVERY shower, is easily removable (so perfect for a rental) and lasts up to 1 year before it needs replacing.

CONS:

• It can add a bit of bulk to your shower head but it’s easy to get used to.
• Replacement filter is recommended every 12 months, but these are at reduced costs.

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SKIPPING THE FILTER & BUYING SPRING WATER 

I’ll be the first to admit that drinking Queensland tap water took some getting used to – I’ve lived around Australia and it’s my least favourite by a long shot. As such, my quest for water filters began sooner rather than later. However, I’m disappointed to say that none of the above filters were able to remove the “taste” of Queensland water, despite their lengthy filtration process.  As such, I’ve personally moved to purchasing local spring water for drinking & using the above filters (under sink filter + shower filter) for cooking and showering.   

PROS: 

• It tastes delicious – honestly, DELICIOUS. 
• The company I use is pulled directly from a local spring in the nearby hinterland – less “food miles”
• The company I use is regularly tested for impurities and passes with flying colours. 

CONS: 

• Refilling bottles is one extra step in our day to day lives. However, we’re fortunate enough that we have ample places we can refill nearby, one of which is open 24/7. We’ve also purchased 3 large refillable bottles which means it’s a once per week job. 
• The bottles are made from BPA Free plastic. If this concerns you, storing your water in a ceramic water filter base or purchasing large glass bottles will help you avoid this issue.  

COST: 
I’m not sure if this is a PRO or a CON, so I’ve listed it separately. The initial cost of the refillable containers was approximately $20 per bottle. When refilled they’re approximately $11 per 15L. We use approximately 35L-40L per week with a family of 3. 

For those on the Gold Coast & Northern Rivers, I love Wild Oasis Water. Another great option is Bountiful Water.

 

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I’m the first to admit that there are a number of factors to consider when purchasing a water filter for your home; one that can often lead to “analysis paralysis”. If this sounds like you, I’d recommend starting small and as you begin to notice the difference in your water taste and texture you can build into the more expensive options with confidence.??Have I missed your favourite water filter? I’d love to know! Pop your recommendations in the comments below.