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How Water Filtration Works: A Complete Guide to Cleaner, Healthier Water for Australian Homes

Clean drinking water is essential for every household, yet many Australians are unaware of what is actually in their tap water — or how water filtration works to remove those unwanted contaminants. Our bodies are made up of approximately 75% water, which means the quality of the water we consume directly affects our health, our energy levels, and the wellbeing of our families.


Understanding how water filtration works is the first step toward choosing the right system for your home. Whether you want safer drinking water, protection for your pipes and appliances, or better water throughout your entire property, modern filtration technology offers powerful solutions. At Filtered Water Systems(https://www.filteredwatersystems.com.au/), we specialise in industry-leading filtration options — including reverse osmosis systems like the Aquala P500 for drinking water, and Whole House Water Filtration Systems for full-home protection.

This comprehensive guide breaks down how water filtration works, the different filtration stages, and why reverse osmosis remains one of the most effective purification methods for Australian families.


How Water Filtration Works
How Water Filtration Works

How Water Filtration Works to Solve Australia’s Common Tap Water Problems


In Australia, most households receive tap water from municipal treatment plants. While the water is disinfected before reaching your home, the process often involves adding chemicals such as chlorine. These chemicals keep the water safe from bacteria but can also produce unpleasant tastes, odours, and dryness.

Understanding how water filtration works helps you see why filtration is not just a luxury — but a smart investment in your long-term health.

Common issues with Australian tap water include:

  • Chlorine taste and smell

  • Limescale buildup that damages pipes and appliances

  • Sediment, dirt, and rust from ageing pipes

  • Chemicals and dissolved solids

  • High mineral content affecting taste

  • Potential presence of PFAS or microplastics

A well-designed filtration system removes these contaminants before they reach your glass, shower, dishwasher, washing machine, or kettle.


How Water Filtration Works: Breaking Down Each Filtration Method


Modern filtration relies on a combination of technologies to produce clean, safe water. Each type of filter plays a specific role, and together they form a powerful multi-stage purification process.

Below is a detailed look at how water filtration works across the three main categories: mechanical, absorption, and reverse osmosis.


How Water Filtration Works Through Mechanical Filtration


Mechanical filtration is the most basic — yet one of the most important — steps in the purification process. This method works by physically trapping particles using filter materials with microscopic pores.


How Mechanical Water Filtration Works

Mechanical filters remove:

  • dirt

  • sand

  • rust

  • sediment

  • visible particles

These filters act as a physical barrier. As water flows through, unwanted debris gets caught while clean water continues to the next stage.


Micron Ratings: Understanding Filtration Precision

Mechanical filters are classified by “micron ratings,” which indicate the size of the particles they can stop:

  • 5 micron – captures most visible debris

  • 1 micron – removes particles unseen by the naked eye

  • 0.5 micron – removes microscopic cysts like giardia and cryptosporidium

Knowing how water filtration works at the mechanical level helps homeowners understand why sediment filters are often the first stage in any purification system.


How Water Filtration Works Through Mechanical Filtration
How Water Filtration Works Through Mechanical Filtration

How Water Filtration Works Through Absorption Filtration


Absorption filtration — also known as carbon filtration — is the next layer of protection. It focuses on absorbing chemicals and improving taste and odour.


How Absorption Water Filtration Works

The carbon inside these filters contains a complex network of pores. As water passes through, contaminants stick to the carbon’s internal surface. This method is especially effective for:

  • chlorine reduction

  • improving taste and odour

  • removing organic chemicals

  • capturing some heavy metals


Types of Carbon Filters

  1. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

    • Affordable

    • Good for taste and smell

    • Not as precise as other options

  2. Carbon Block Filters

    • More effective

    • Higher density of carbon

    • Often rated for particle removal

Carbon filtration plays a crucial role in how water filtration works, especially before water reaches a reverse osmosis membrane.


How Water Filtration Works Using Reverse Osmosis (RO) Technology


Reverse osmosis is widely considered the most advanced household filtration method. It’s the gold standard for producing ultra-pure drinking water and is a major reason many homeowners choose systems like the Aquala P500 (https://www.filteredwatersystems.com.au/product-page/aquala-p500-tankless-reverse-osmosis).


How Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Works

Reverse osmosis forces water through a semipermeable membrane under pressure.This membrane has microscopic pores small enough to block contaminants including:

  • dissolved solids

  • fluoride

  • chlorine byproducts

  • heavy metals

  • salts and minerals

  • pesticides

  • microplastics

  • bacteria

  • viruses

The result:Up to 99.99% contaminant removal, leaving you with crisp, refreshing, premium-quality drinking water.


Why Reverse Osmosis Is Ideal for Drinking Water

Understanding how water filtration works through RO highlights why it’s the top choice for households focused on health:

  • Clean taste

  • No chemical smell

  • Optimal hydration

  • Safe for children and families

  • Excellent for tea, coffee, cooking, and baby bottles

  • Removes contaminants many filters cannot


How Water Filtration Works in the Aquala P500 Reverse Osmosis System


The Aquala P500 Tankless Reverse Osmosis System is one of Australia’s most advanced RO units. It is compact, powerful, and designed for modern homes.


Why the Aquala P500 Is a Leading Choice

  • Tankless design for faster, cleaner water

  • Mineralised final stage to improve taste

  • Smart monitor to track filter life

  • High 1:1 efficiency ratio

  • Sleek under-sink design

If you want premium drinking water, reverse osmosis — and specifically the Aquala P500 — is the gold standard of how water filtration works.


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How Water Filtration Works in Whole House Filtration Systems


While RO systems specialise in drinking water, many families also want pure water throughout their entire home. That’s where Whole House Water Filtration Systems shine.

These systems are designed to filter water before it enters your home’s plumbing network.


How Whole House Water Filtration Works

A full-home system typically removes:

  • sediment

  • chlorine

  • chemicals

  • bad tastes and odours

  • rust from old pipes


This protects:

  • showers

  • toilets

  • washing machines

  • hot water systems

  • dishwashers

  • tapware

  • appliances

Understanding how water filtration works at both the point-of-entry (whole house) and point-of-use (reverse osmosis) levels helps households build a complete purification plan.


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How Water Filtration Works When You Choose Filtered Water Systems


At Filtered Water Systems (https://www.filteredwatersystems.com.au/), we offer advanced water purification options designed for Australian homes and workplaces.

Our solutions include:

  • Aquala P500 Reverse Osmosis System for drinking

  • Whole House Water Filtration Systems for full-home protection

  • Sediment & carbon filters

  • Under-sink filtration

  • Replacement filters

  • Installation and servicing

Understanding how water filtration works empowers customers to choose the right system — but having the right provider ensures long-term reliability, support, and peace of mind.


Conclusion: How Water Filtration Works to Protect Your Health and Home


Now that you understand how water filtration works, it’s clear why more Australians are choosing advanced purification systems to safeguard their water.

Mechanical filtration catches debris.Absorption filtration removes chemicals.Reverse osmosis delivers the purest drinking water possible.Whole house systems protect your entire property.


If you want cleaner, healthier, better-tasting water for your family, explore the full range of filtration solutions at Filtered Water Systems:



From premium reverse osmosis units like the Aquala P500 to powerful Whole House Water Filtration Systems, you can enjoy safe, pure water every day.


For more information contact us: At Filtered Water Systems or give us a call +61 478 800 996


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