Choosing the right whole house water filtration system can feel overwhelming — especially when every brand claims to “remove everything” or “purify your entire home.” But the truth is, not all systems work the same, and not all are suitable for the unique water conditions between Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta.
Whether you’re dealing with chlorine smell, hard water scale, or chemical taste, choosing the right filter is simple once you know what to look for. This guide breaks it down in a way that’s clear, practical and relevant to South West WA homes — so you can make the right decision the first time.
At Water Wellness – water that loves you back, this is exactly how we tailor systems to each property.
Why Whole House Filters Matter in the South West
Unlike Perth (which relies heavily on desalination), the South West uses:
- groundwater bores
- aquifers
- older pipe networks
- chlorine disinfection
- mineral-rich sources
This leads to common issues:
✔ chlorine taste and smell
✔ moderate water hardness
✔ sediment from pipes
✔ cloudy or dull water
✔ chemical aftertaste
✔ mineral scale on taps and glass
This is why choosing a basic or cheap system won’t cut it.
You need a system designed for groundwater conditions — not just metropolitan city water.
Step 1: Choose a System That Targets Your Actual Water Problems
Every home is different.
Most homes between Bunbury and Augusta deal with one or more of these:
Problem 1: Chlorine Taste & Odour
Solution: A high-quality activated carbon filter (not a cheap one from Bunnings)
Problem 2: Sediment, dirt & rust flakes
Common in older suburbs and rural pipework.
Solution: A sediment stage (Filter 1) at the front of your system.
Problem 3: Hard water scale & cloudy film on glass
Especially in Busselton and Bunbury.
Solution: A system with a scale-control specialty filter (like Water Wellness Filter 3).
(True softeners are optional.)
Problem 4: Chemical aftertaste or “earthy” flavour
Solution: A high-grade carbon block (Filter 2 + Filter 3 combined effect)
Problem 5: Ultra-pure drinking water
Solution: Add under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) to remove fluoride, PFAS and dissolved solids.
Water Wellness designs every system around these real-world local conditions — not textbook water.
Step 2: Understand the Difference Between Filters
This is where most homeowners get confused — so let’s make it simple.
❌ Standard Filters (e.g., Bunnings, generic brands)
- remove chlorine taste only
- poor flow
- not suitable for whole house
- do NOT remove PFAS or heavy chemicals
- clog quickly
✔ Water Wellness Triple-Stage System
Your system uses three premium, high-capacity filters:
1. Water Wellness Filter 1 – Sediment Filter
Captures:
- dirt
- sand
- rust
- silt
- pipe debris
Keeps your water clear and protects your carbon stages.
2. Water Wellness Filter 2 – Activated Carbon Filter
Removes or reduces:
- chlorine
- chloramine
- chemical smell
- VOCs
- pesticide residues
- taste/odour compounds
- microplastics
This alone dramatically improves your shower experience.
3. Water Wellness Filter 3 – Advanced Carbon / Specialty Filter
This is where your system outperforms normal filters.
Water Wellness Filter 3 provides:
- PFAS reduction
- heavy metal reduction
- improved taste clarity
- deeper chemical filtration
- scale-control benefits
- advanced polishing of tap water
This final stage is what gives your water that “premium filtered” feel.
Step 3: Consider If You Want RO Drinking Water
Whole-home filters clean your water for:
- showers
- laundry
- kitchen
- bathrooms
- appliances
But if you want drinking water that is:
- fluoride-free
- ultra-low TDS
- PFAS-free
- crystal clear
- perfect for coffee & tea
Then add a Water Wellness under-sink RO system.
This is our most popular upgrade for Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River homes who want bottled-water quality directly from the tap.
Step 4: Check Installation Quality (This Matters!)
A great filter is only as good as the installation.
A poor install leads to:
- reduced pressure
- leaks
- cartridge bypass
- short filter life
- incorrect flow direction
- water hammer issues
Water Wellness installation includes:
- correct pressure balancing
- stainless steel covers (optional)
- secure wall mounting
- food-grade plumbing
- system flushing
- 100% leak testing
- flow rate optimisation
This ensures top performance and long lifespan.
Step 5: Ask These Key Questions Before Choosing Any System
These 6 questions instantly reveal whether a filter is worth buying:
1️⃣ Does it have a sediment + carbon + specialty filter?
(Most cheap systems only have one stage.)
2️⃣ Is the carbon block high-performance, not generic granular carbon?
3️⃣ Does it reduce PFAS, chemicals and metals — or just chlorine?
4️⃣ Is it designed for Australian groundwater conditions?
5️⃣ Are replacement filters high quality and available yearly?
6️⃣ Is the installer experienced with South West plumbing layouts?
Water Wellness ticks every box above.
Step 6: Choose a System Made for South West WA
Here’s the simplest way to choose the right system:
✔ If you live in Bunbury or Busselton →
Get the Water Wellness triple-stage system with advanced Filter 3
(+ RO if you want perfect drinking water).
✔ If you live in Dunsborough, Vasse or Yallingup →
Same system — these areas have similar sediment + chlorine levels.
✔ If you live in Margaret River or Augusta (mains only) →
Triple-stage system + optional RO
(you don’t install tanks, so no UV required).
✔ If you want drinking water like bottled spring water →
Add RO.
All systems include:
- year-long filter life
- better taste
- softer showers
- appliance protection
- chlorine reduction
- chemical polishing
- long-term plumbing protection
FAQs for Local Homeowners
What microns should I choose?
1–5 micron is ideal for South West WA — anything finer will reduce pressure.
Will the system reduce limescale?
Yes — Filter 3 includes scale control but is not a full softener.
Is RO worth it?
If you want PFAS, fluoride and dissolved solids removed — absolutely.
Do whole house systems reduce fluoride?
No — only RO removes fluoride effectively.
The Takeaway
Choosing the best whole house water filter between Bunbury and Augusta comes down to understanding your water and choosing a system built for it.
The Water Wellness triple-stage system is specifically designed for South West WA groundwater. With Filter 1, Filter 2 and Filter 3 working together, you get:
- cleaner, softer showers
- chlorine-free water
- reduced PFAS
- better-tasting water
- brighter laundry
- longer-lasting appliances
- safer, healthier water for the whole home
Add RO for the purest drinking water possible — and you have the perfect setup for long-term wellness.
At Water Wellness, we tailor everything to your location so your family can enjoy water that loves you back every day.
