How do I know if I have a blocked water filter issue?
Your water filter has become blocked and is now restricting water flow.
What is it and how did it happen?
Melbourne’s water supply is largely unfiltered. As a result, the water naturally contains small quantities of generally invisible, fine, suspended particles.
The particles are harmless but nevertheless, over time, will accumulate on water filters and can be incorrectly perceived as poor quality drinking water.
The rate of particle accumulation on water filters varies, and can depend (for example) on filter pore size or particle content of the local supply, as well seasonal variations in microscopic, harmless algal populations that are naturally present in Melbourne’s reservoirs.
All water filters that trap and accumulate particles will eventually restrict water flows and become blocked.
How do I address the issue?
A number of residential customers choose to use water filters. However, given the compliance of City West Water’s water supply with Victoria’s drinking water standards and Australian drinking water quality guidelines, we do not believe there is a need to use domestic water filters.
In many cases, individual filter units have little effect on improving household water supply quality.
For instance, filters may be claimed to remove substances that in fact are not even present to any significant degree in our water supply. In some cases filter units can actually cause a deterioration of water quality.
Customers considering the purchase of a water filter should carefully evaluate their own needs as well as apparent benefits and relevance of individual units. City West Water neither undertakes nor approves of attempts to sell water filters on a “door to door” basis.
It should be noted, however, that there are situations (e.g. industrial applications, medical treatment) where the use of specific, purpose-built water filters is applicable.
Should you have concerns regarding premature filter blockage, contact City West Water (132 642) for information, advice and assistance.