Purified Water vs Desalinated Water: What’s Best for Sydney?
As Sydney keeps growing, so do concerns about the water coming out of our taps. Many locals have noticed a change in taste and wanted to know what’s really in the water they’re drinking every day. With aging pipes and a system that doesn’t always deliver consistent quality, it’s no surprise people are looking for safer, more reliable options. So for this two names usually come up: purified water and desalinated water. But which one is actually better for your health, home, and peace of mind?
Here’s a closer look, with Sydney in focus.
What Actually Is Purified Water?
Purified water refers to water that has undergone advanced filtration methods to remove up to 99% of contaminants. This includes chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms. Techniques like reverse osmosis, carbon block filtration, UV treatment, and multi-stage filter systems are commonly used in Sydney homes.
Most whole house water filtration systems and under sink water filters fall into this category. They’re designed to treat municipal tap water in Sydney and make it safe, clean, and better in taste.
Benefits of Purified Water
- Healthier drinking water: Removes harmful chemicals and toxins that may affect gut health, skin, and immunity.
- Better taste and smell: Gets rid of chlorine taste and sulphur-like odours often found in tap water.
- Appliance protection: Prevents scale build-up in kettles, coffee machines, and fridges.
- Eco-friendly: Eliminates the need for bottled water at home.
What Is Desalinated Water?
Desalinated water comes from the ocean and is processed at facilities like the Sydney Desalination Plant in Kurnell. This water is treated using reverse osmosis at a massive scale, removing salt and other impurities before it’s blended back into the city’s water supply.
It plays a key role during droughts or low dam levels, acting as a safety net for Sydney’s growing demand. However, desalinated water is not necessarily the cleanest or most cost-effective option for your home tap.
Concerns with Desalinated Water
- Energy-intensive: Desalination consumes large amounts of electricity, increasing carbon emissions.
- Flat taste: Many people report that desalinated water tastes less “natural” than filtered rainwater or purified municipal water.
- Not always available: The plant is used intermittently, depending on rainfall and dam levels, so the quality and source of water can vary.
What’s the Best Option for Sydney Residents?
For Sydney residents, purified water is generally the better choice over desalinated water when it comes to everyday health and safety. While desalinated water is treated at a municipal level, it can still carry traces of chlorine, fluoride, and other additives used in large-scale processing.
Here is the comparison for better understanding:
| Feature | Purified Water | Desalinated Water |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Location | At home (point of use) | Centralized (municipal facility) |
| Control Over Quality | Full control at home | No direct control once supplied |
| Chlorine & Additives | Can be removed | Often still present |
| Taste | Clean, fresh taste | May taste flat or chemically treated |
| Health Suitability | Better for infants, elderly, sensitive users | May not suit those with sensitivities |
| Environmental Impact | Low (if using home filtration) | High energy use, brine waste |
| Consistency | Very consistent if maintained properly | Can vary depending on supply conditions |
| Peace of Mind | High — you know exactly what you’re drinking | Lower — depends on municipal processes |
Best Solutions for Purified Water at Home
To ensure your water is as clean and healthy as possible, consider the following systems from Filpure:
1. Whole House Water Filtration Systems
Protect your entire home, from kitchen to bathroom, with multi-stage filters that remove chlorine, sediment, and odours. It is ideal for Sydney suburbs with pipe-related contamination or hard water issues.
2. Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems
These under-sink filters remove up to 99.9% of total dissolved solids, fluoride, lead, and viruses. Great for drinking and cooking.
3. Alkaline Water Filters
These not only purify your water but also raise the pH for better hydration and potential health benefits like improved digestion and reduced acidity.
4. Benchtop Water Filters and Water Coolers
They are compact, convenient, and perfect for apartments or small offices, providing clean, chilled, or hot water on demand.
Final Thoughts
While desalinated water is a vital part of Sydney’s water supply strategy, it isn’t the most practical or health-focused solution for everyday drinking. For families who care about long-term health and water quality, installing a water filtration system offers far more benefits.At Filpure, we help Sydney homes achieve cleaner, safer, and better-tasting water every single day with free delivery across Sydney, expert advice, and products built for Australian water conditions.
