Brisbane Water Treatment: What’s in Your Tap Water and How to Improve It

Brisbane’s tap water is treated to Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and is safe to drink — but “safe” and “great” aren’t the same thing. Here’s what the treatment process involves and how a home filter improves on it.

Browse our water cooler range or visit our Brisbane water coolers page.

How Brisbane’s Water Is Treated

Brisbane’s water supply is managed by Seqwater, drawing from the Wivenhoe, Somerset, and North Pine dams. The treatment process involves:

• Coagulation and flocculation — chemicals are added to clump fine particles together for removal
• Sedimentation and filtration — particles are settled and filtered out
• Disinfection — chlorine or chloramines are added to kill bacteria and viruses
• Fluoridation — fluoride is added to support dental health

The result is water that’s safe to drink — but the chlorine used in disinfection leaves a taste and smell that many Brisbane residents find unpleasant, particularly in summer when higher doses are used.

What a Home Filter Adds

A quality home filter picks up where the treatment plant leaves off. Our 8-stage KDF filter systems remove:

• Chlorine and chloramines (activated carbon stage)
• Heavy metals including lead and copper (KDF media)
• Sediment and rust (ceramic and sediment stages)
• Bacteria and protozoa (ceramic stage)

They also re-mineralise the water through mineral stone stages, adding calcium and magnesium for a cleaner, smoother taste.

Best Filter Options for Brisbane

• Benchtop or freestanding water cooler: the most popular choice for Brisbane homes. No plumbing, instant hot and cold filtered water. Browse our freestanding range or benchtop range.
• Reverse osmosis system: for households wanting to remove fluoride or achieve the highest level of filtration. Browse our RO range or see our Reverse Osmosis Guide.
• Whole house filter: filtered water from every tap. Browse our Whole House Water Filters Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions