frequently asked questions about water

Please click on the below questions or simply scroll down the page for more questions.

Can you test my water?
Why does my water taste so bad?
Is Chlorine bad for you?
Can you remove chlorine from the water?
What contaminants can you remove from water?
Is town water supply safe to drink?
Our family suffers skin allergies such as eczema, does water purification help?
Can you filter all chlorinated town water entering the house?
Is there Aluminium in the water and can you remove it?
I have rain water for drinking, why filter it, isn’t it pure?
Is bottled water or filtered water better?
Will a water filter save you money?
Can filters ever be bad for you?
Why would a water cooler be beneficial to me?
Water filters verses Steam distillers?
What is TDS?
What are VOCs?
Do people on private bore water need to use filters?
What is the best container for storing filtered water?
Are whole house systems (POE-point of entry) better than counter-top filters (POU-point-of-use)?
How do you know if there are contaminants in your water?
Are some people more sensitive to chemicals in drinking water and shower water than others?

Can you test my water?

Yes we can test your water for you. Ring 0800 787 392 and we will arrange to have a test kit sent out or we will come and sample your water for you.

Why does my water taste so bad?

If you’re on town water supply then the taste and odour usually come from products used in the water treatment process such as chlorine. Some water has a metallic taste which can also be resolved. If your on tank water and the water smells or is discoloured then you have biological and mineral impurities getting into your tank.

Is Chlorine bad for you?

Chlorine was first added to a community water system in 1908 and was instrumental in eliminating many types of water-borne disease such as Cholera and Typhoid fever. Prior to chlorination, many major cities had death tolls of 1 in 1000 people from Typhoid alone.

Chlorine has been used to disinfect municipal water for over 80 years and has had some positive effects on public health. In the 1970's it was discovered that chlorine, when added to water, forms Trihalomethanes (chlorinated by-products) by combining with certain naturally occurring organic matter such as vegetation and algae. In 1992 the American Journal of Public Health published a report that showed a 15% to 35% increase in certain types of cancer for people who consume chlorinated water. This report also stated that much of these effects were due to showering in chlorinated water.

The National Cancer Institute estimates cancer risks for people who consume chlorinated water to be up to 93% higher than for people who do not. The effects of drinking chlorinated water have been debated for decades. However, most experts now agree that there are some significant risks related to consuming chlorine and chlorinated by-products in drinking water. cancer and water

Can you remove chlorine from the water?

Yes we can successfully remove chlorine from your water. We recommend underbench kitchen filters or whole house filtration where we can.

What contaminants can you remove from water?

We can remove most things from water, if you are on town water supply we have a good idea of the water make up and can make recommendations, if you are on bore or surface water we always start with a water test so we know exactly what the make up of your water is. Please contact us to arrange for your water to be tested.

Is town water supply safe to drink?

Yes, however town water supply has Chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride and chemical impurities in the water. If this concerns you then we can help. Either with a quality underbench water filter or whole house filter.

Our family suffers skin allergies such as eczema, does water purification help?

We get asked this a lot now. Chlorine is poisonous and is a skin irritant. Bathing in chlorinated water does irritate the skin but also breathing in the vapours from a hot steamy shower is also harmful. We have around a 65% success rate in helping New Zealand families skin conditions improve and in some cases improve dramatically.

Can you filter all chlorinated town water entering the house?

Yes this is becoming very popular today. The total removal of chlorine and chemicals from all water entering the house is very helpful for people with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis especially in children.

Is there Aluminium in the water and can you remove it?

Yes town water uses aluminium during its processing stages, as you know there are links between aluminium and altzimers disease.

I have rain water for drinking, why filter it, isn’t it pure?

Rain water is a great source of water in NZ. The problems occur in the method of transferring it from your roof to your storage tank. Any faecal matter entering the water (from bird or possum etc.) has e-coli present, these can multiply rapidly and cause numerous medical conditions when drank such as stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases death. Giardia and Cryptosporidium also enter our tank water the same way. Our immune systems are not what they used to be and these bugs are mutating. Ultra Violet sterilisation is the most effective method of protecting your home from any bacteria, viruses or e-coli.

Is bottled water or filtered water better?

While much bottled water is of good quality, there are little or no regulations or means of ensuring bottled water quality... it is a self-policed industry for the most part. In contrast, the home water treatment industry is very heavily regulated. Manufacturers must do extensive testing and reporting to prove their products effectiveness at providing quality water. Manufacturers are required to supply "Performance Data Sheets" demonstrating the products ability to remove certain contaminants; bottled water companies are not required to demonstrate their waters quality. read more

Will a water filter save you money?

Yes, buying bottled water is becoming very common. Some families are spending $30-40 per week buying water, a water filter will pay for itself within months.

Can filters ever be bad for you?

Yes just like your car or home they need regular servicing. We recommend changing your filters every 12-24 months depending on your situation (after this they can start growing bacteria). Once on our client data base we will contact you and remind you when its time to change your filter and arrange a suitable time for us to service it at your convenience.

dirty filter

Why would a water cooler be beneficial to me?

Water coolers are a great way of having fresh water on demand all the time. Cold water is a very refreshing way of making sure you drink your 8 glasses per day. If you are a business owner or manager then having fresh cool water easily accessible will improve the productivity of your staff. Drinking water is healthier and cheaper that expensive coffee machines or soft drinks. Go on treat yourself and your staff to the healthier option. read more

Water filters verses Steam distillers?

Drinking distilled water over long time periods can de-mineralise you bones causing health problems. We sell water filters and distillers and prefer to sell you a filter. More details…

What is TDS?

Total Dissolved Solids, the total measurement by weight of all solids that are dissolved in water. The dissolved solids in water are primarily calcium and magnesium and would not be a measurement of contamination. Tests which measure the conductivity of water (often used by companies selling reverse osmosis and distillation system ) only give a rough estimate of dissolved solids, mostly minerals, and do not show water quality. Implying that these tests show water quality is highly misleading and should be considered unethical.

What are VOCs?

Volatile Organic Chemicals are synthetic compounds that turn into vapor at relatively low temperatures. VOCs typically vaporize at a much lower temperature than water. Most synthetic chemicals found in water, such as pesticides and herbicides, are VOCs.

Do people on private bore water need to use filters?

There are many health benefits to removing chemicals and compounds from water, even on non-chlorinated private bores. Virtually all ground water contains traces of chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled.

What is the best container for storing filtered water?

Glass is always best, however if glass is not practical, then a high grade polycarbonate material is best. Clear plastic bottles and pitchers with a #1 in the recycle triangle on the bottom, like the bottles used by Evian and the higher quality bottled waters, are the best option for water storage since they have been shown to release the lowest levels of plastic component chemicals into water. Translucent, colored or bottles with a number other than 1 on the bottom should be avoided because there is the possibility of higher levels of chemicals & hormones leeching into the water from the plastic.

Are whole house systems (P.O.E.- point-of-entry) better than counter-top filters (P.O.U.- point-of-use)?

P.O.U. systems are by far the best way to ensure the highest quality water since many water-borne contaminants come from the plumbing in your house, especially lead and vinyl chloride in the piping. By filtering water at the point-of-use you remove contaminants just prior to consumption, eliminating the chance of recontamination.

How do you know if there are contaminants in your water?

All public water systems contain some level of one or more unhealthy chemicals. Regulations only require periodic testing of about 90 chemicals. There are now more than 75,000 chemicals used in our society with over 1000 new ones being developed each year. Contaminant levels fluctuate throughout the year making it impossible to know the actual level of contamination in a central water system. So far hundreds of toxic chemicals have been detected in New Zealand’s water systems.

If you are on tank water there is the increased risk from bacterial and e-coli micro organism along with risks from chemicals leaking from you roof either in the surface or spray drift from aerial spraying operations. Rain is also slightly acidic and picks up all the air borne chemicals i.e. Smog, as it falls to your roof.

If your on bore water then have you had it tested? Heavy metals, dangerous mineral concentrations and bacteria could be in your water. We suggest a water test which we can help with.

Are some people more sensitive to chemicals in drinking water and shower water than others?

Definitely, small children and the elderly are especially more affected by contaminants in water due to a reduced capacity to deal with toxins and an under-developed or less tolerant immune system.

We are Steve Reynolds and Greg Morgan and we fix your water problems.

As you can tell we are passionate about water and the health benefits from drinking the best quality water available. Call us today for a free on site appraisal