Chloramines, Sydney's Primary Disinfectant Since 2008
Most Sydney residents don't know this: Sydney Water switched its primary disinfection method from free chlorine to chloramines in 2008. Chloramine is a compound of chlorine and ammonia that provides longer-lasting disinfection through the distribution network, particularly important for Sydney's extensive pipe system.
The consequence is that standard activated carbon filters, including most benchtop jugs and basic under-sink units, are less effective at removing chloramines than they are at removing free chlorine. Catalytic carbon or high-contact-time carbon block filters are required. All of the Filter Systems Australia (FSA) products Jean-Paul installs use certified catalytic or high-grade carbon media rated for chloramine removal.
Fluoride, What You Need to Know
Sydney Water adds fluoride to the drinking water supply at approximately 0.6–1.0 mg/L under the NSW Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957. This is well within the Australian Drinking Water Guideline limit of 1.5 mg/L.
Australian health authorities consider fluoride at these levels safe and beneficial for dental health, particularly for children. However, a significant number of Sydney households prefer to remove fluoride from their drinking water as a precautionary measure. This is a personal choice.
The critical point: only reverse osmosis removes fluoride. Carbon filters, benchtop jugs, and standard under-sink twin-stage systems cannot remove fluoride. If this is your goal, you need an RO system. Read our full fluoride removal guide.
PFAS, The Emerging Contaminant
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foam, non-stick coatings, and industrial applications. They are persistent in the environment and have been linked to health concerns at elevated exposures.
In Sydney, PFAS contamination is most significant in the Hawkesbury-Richmond area due to legacy use of firefighting foam at RAAF Base Richmond. The treated town water supply in Richmond, North Richmond, Windsor, and Pitt Town has been the subject of ongoing testing. Sydney Water's treatment processes remove some PFAS, but households in these areas have a stronger case for point-of-use RO filtration as an additional layer of protection.
Reverse osmosis removes 95%+ of PFAS compounds. See our PFAS removal guide or the Richmond/Hawkesbury specific guide.
What Filter Is Right for My Sydney Home?
The answer depends on what you want to remove:
- Chloramines, THMs, sediment, taste & odour: A quality under-sink carbon block system (Pure Essential, $550.88) or whole house HPF-3 ($3,150–$3,550) covers these comprehensively.
- Fluoride removal: You need reverse osmosis. Pure Plus+ RO ($840) is the entry point; Pure Premium RO ($1,180) for more stages.
- PFAS removal: Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution. Strongly recommended for Richmond/Hawkesbury households.
- Everything at every tap: The HPF-3 whole house system filters at the mains, every shower, bath, and kitchen tap gets filtered water (except fluoride, which needs RO).
- Comprehensive drinking water: A whole house system combined with an under-sink RO at the kitchen gives you the most complete filtration setup.