5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Filter Cartridge

Most water filter cartridges don’t come with a warning light. Here are the five signs that tell you it’s time to replace yours — and why you shouldn’t wait for them.

Browse our replacement water filter cartridges or see our Benchtop Water Filters Guide.

Sign 1: Change in Taste or Odour

The most obvious sign. If your filtered water starts tasting or smelling like chlorine, or develops an earthy or musty smell, the carbon stage is exhausted. Replace immediately — an exhausted carbon cartridge provides no chlorine removal and can harbour bacteria.

Sign 2: Reduced Water Flow

A gradual reduction in flow rate means the cartridge is clogging with sediment. This is normal — it means the filter is doing its job — but once flow is noticeably reduced, it’s time to replace. Don’t wait until flow stops entirely.

Sign 3: Visible Particles in the Water

If you can see particles or cloudiness in your filtered water, the cartridge is no longer filtering effectively. Replace immediately.

Sign 4: You’ve Reached the Replacement Schedule

This is the most important sign — and it’s not a sign at all, it’s a calendar reminder. Most cartridges should be replaced every 6–12 months regardless of whether you notice any of the above symptoms. Activated carbon and activated alumina media exhaust gradually with no visible or taste-based warning. Set a reminder when you install a new cartridge.

Sign 5: You Can’t Remember When You Last Changed It

If you genuinely can’t remember, replace it now. Browse our replacement cartridge range — if you’re not sure which cartridge you need, call us on 1800 789 781.

Replacement Schedule by Filter Type

Frequently Asked Questions