What's really hiding in your tap water?

Here are some of the more common contaminants and water quality issues that can affect drinking water in Australia, even within regulated supply systems.

PFAS (forever chemicals): Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals once widely used for their resistance to heat, water and grease. In Australia, many of the most concerning PFAS compounds have been phased out or tightly restricted due to potential links with hormonal and immune system effects. However, because they don’t break down easily, traces remain in the environment long after use, including in some water systems.

Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles have made their way into water sources worldwide, including Australian tap water. Studies suggest microplastics can enter the body and may contribute to inflammation and other issues, though the full impact is still being studied.

Chlorine taste and odour: Chlorine is added to water supplies to kill bacteria - which is genuinely useful, but can leave water tasting and smelling a little like a swimming pool, particularly in warmer months.

Lead: Lead levels in Australian tap water are usually very low, but it can still leach from plumbing inside older homes. Even low-level exposure is a health concern, particularly for children and pregnant women.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia: These parasites can survive standard chlorination and may occasionally appear in water supplies, particularly after heavy rain or contamination from flooding, runoff or infrastructure problems. They can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Sediment: Fine particles such as sand, rust or silt can enter the water supply, particularly in areas with ageing pipes or after maintenance work.

Asbestos: Asbestos cement pipes used in older infrastructure can release fibres into water, though risks are generally considered low when water is undisturbed.

Bacteria: While treated water is disinfected, bacteria can still enter the system through pipe damage, stagnation or localised contamination.

As well as using activated carbon filters, the Zip HydroTap uses MicroPurity filtration - a multi-stage system that can capture tiny impurities measuring up to 0.2 microns. How big is that? Well, 0.2 microns is so tiny that 250 particles of that size would fit across a single strand of human hair.

This level of filtering allows HydroTaps to capture impurities that most home filters can’t. It's independently tested and certified to three National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) international standards:

• NSF Standard 42 - Aesthetic effects (taste, odour, chlorine)

• NSF Standard 53 - Health effects (lead, cysts, PFAS)

• NSF Standard 401 - Emerging contaminants (microplastics, trace compounds)

The MicroPurity system reduces up to 99.99% of contaminants overall, and is certified to reduce 99.4% of Total PFAS*. It targets all eight of the most significant water contaminants listed above. Something it doesn't remove, though, is fluoride - and that's intentional, because it’s deliberately added to the water to help prevent tooth decay.

For most households, the MicroPurity filter should be replaced once a year, which is a lot simpler than the quarterly or monthly replacements you might do with a jug filter. Zip Water recommends this annual refresh to maintain peak water quality, because while you may not notice a gradual decline in taste after a year of use, the filter will naturally become less effective.

The cartridges are easy to swap out at home, or you can book a technician through Zip Water's HydroCare service plan. If you get through more water than the average household and the filter alert light turns on before the 12-month mark, don't wait - it's worth changing it when prompted.

When it is time to replace, stick with genuine Zip MicroPurity cartridges. Some third-party filters may fit the unit physically, but may not be certified to the same performance standards, which defeats the purpose when your objective is to get the cleanest possible water on tap.