Rural water filtration keeps tank, bore and river water safer for your family and kinder to your pipes and appliances.
Many properties in the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and other rural parts of South East Queensland rely on rainwater tanks, bores, dams or creeks. Unlike town water, no supplier has treated this water, so looking after its quality is up to the property owner.
Start with a water test
Before choosing equipment, get the water tested by an accredited laboratory. A test shows what is actually in your water, such as bacteria, dissolved minerals, hardness, acidity or salinity. Without it, you risk buying a filter that does not address the real problem. Test again if the water changes in colour or smell, after heavy rain or flooding, or if the source changes.
Common problems on tank, bore and river supplies
- Sediment and silt: fine particles that cloud the water and clog fittings.
- Discolouration: brown, yellow or orange water can come from tannins, iron or stirred-up sediment.
- Scale and staining: dissolved minerals can leave marks on fixtures and build up in appliances.
- Microbes: untreated water can carry bacteria and other organisms that you cannot see.
Protecting your pipes and appliances
Sediment does real damage over time. It can block tap aerators, jam float valves and wear pump seals. Dishwashers, washing machines and hot water systems can also suffer. A sediment filter at the point where water enters the house helps protect everything downstream, and it is one of the most practical upgrades for a rural property.
Sediment and backwashing filters
A basic cartridge sediment filter catches particles and you replace it when it clogs. Where there is a lot of sediment, cartridges can clog quickly, which is where a backwashing filter can help. A backwashing filter flushes trapped material out to waste so the filter media keeps working without constant cartridge changes. Because backwash water has to go somewhere, plan the drainage sensibly, away from your tank, house footings and any water source.
UV for drinking water
Filters remove particles, but they do not make water microbiologically safe on their own. An ultraviolet (UV) unit treats the water as it passes through to inactivate microbes. UV works best on clear water, so plumbers normally install it after a sediment filter. The lamp needs replacing on the manufacturer’s schedule, and the unit needs power to work. Many rural households fit UV on the drinking water supply and keep other treatment for the whole property.
Tanks need care too
For rainwater tanks, good water quality starts at the roof and gutters. Keep gutters clear, check inlet screens and first-flush devices, and make sure tank openings are sealed against mosquitoes and animals. Periodic tank inspection and cleaning help prevent sludge build-up.
Maintenance and planning
Any treatment system is only reliable when maintained. Write down cartridge change dates and lamp replacement dates, and look over the system after storms or flooding. A licensed plumber can design a setup that suits your water source, flow rate and pump, and install it with the right isolation valves and backflow protection where required.
Every property is different, so avoid guessing. Test first, match the treatment to the results, and maintain it.
Planning your rural water filtration
Good rural water filtration starts with a water test, so you know what you’re treating. Next, choose filters to suit. The Queensland Government health website has advice on safe drinking water, and our tank and bore water team can help.
Need help choosing a filter for your tank, bore or dam water? Call The Plumbing Gang on 1300 671 525 or see our water quality services.