By QLD Water Filtration Team · Published · Updated . Prices are estimates for standard installations and are confirmed in your fixed quote.
Which is best: reverse osmosis, whole-home or UV?
They do different jobs, so the best one depends on your home. Reverse osmosis gives you the finest drinking water at one tap. Whole-home filtration treats every tap and shower. UV looks after tank, bore and rainwater supplies. Here is the quick comparison.
| Reverse osmosis | Whole-home filtration | Whole-home UV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Ultra-fine filtration of your drinking and cooking water | Removes chlorine, chloramine and sediment from all the water entering your home | Neutralises bacteria and other micro-organisms with UV light |
| Where it goes | Under the kitchen sink, with its own tap | At your main water line, so every tap, shower and appliance is covered | On the supply line from your tank, bore or rainwater source |
| Best for | Anyone who wants the finest drinking water | Suburban homes on city water | Acreage, semi-rural and off-grid homes |
| Good to know | Treats one tap, not the whole house | Pair with an RO tap for the finest drinking water | Works on bacteria and other micro-organisms, not chemicals |
| Starting price (fully installed) | From $1,590 | From $3,490 | From $4,690 |
| Typical install time | 2–3 hours | 3–4 hours | 3–4 hours |
| Learn more | Reverse osmosis systems | Whole-house filtration | UV water treatment |
Reverse osmosis: the finest drinking water in your kitchen
Reverse osmosis (RO) pushes water through an ultra-fine membrane, reducing dissolved salts, heavy metals, fluoride, PFAS and microscopic particles. It is installed under your kitchen sink with its own tap, so your drinking and cooking water is as clean as it gets.
Our systems add optional remineralisation, so you get fresh-tasting water with trace minerals put back in. It is the upgrade families love because they notice it in every glass and every cup of tea.
RO is built for the kitchen tap rather than the whole house. That is why plenty of customers pair it with a whole-home system.
Whole-home filtration: fresh, filtered water at every tap
A whole-home system is installed where water enters your property and removes chlorine, chloramine and sediment before it reaches any tap, shower or appliance. No more pool smell, and the whole house gets the benefit.
Chlorine and chloramine are what most people taste and smell in Queensland tap water. A whole-home filter takes them out of your showers, your laundry and your kitchen, which is kinder to skin and hair and good for your hot water system and appliances.
Our high-flow twin Big Blue system is designed to keep your water pressure strong. Installation typically takes 3 to 4 hours, and then you just enjoy the difference.
UV treatment: peace of mind for tank and bore water
UV uses ultraviolet light to neutralise bacteria and other micro-organisms without adding any chemicals. It is the go-to for tank, bore and rainwater homes, paired with pre-filtration so the UV can do its job properly.
Tank water can carry sediment, leaves and bird droppings, and nobody is treating it for you. Our system combines dual-stage pre-filtration with a commercial-grade UV steriliser that has an alarm, so you know it is working.
UV needs a power point nearby and an annual lamp change. We check both during your free on-site assessment.
Do I need UV if I am on town water?
Usually not. Town water is already disinfected by your water supplier, so UV is aimed at tank, bore and rainwater homes. On city water, a whole-home filter or a reverse osmosis tap is the upgrade that makes the difference.
Can I combine reverse osmosis, whole-home and UV?
Yes, and many families do. A whole-home system gives you fresh water throughout the house, and an RO tap in the kitchen takes drinking water to the next level. Tank and bore homes can add UV with pre-filtration.
| Your home | Popular starting point |
|---|---|
| Apartment or townhome on town water | Under-sink filtration or reverse osmosis |
| Suburban house on city water | Whole-home filtration, with RO at the kitchen tap if you want the finest drinking water |
| Acreage or off-grid home on tank or bore water | Whole-home UV with pre-filtration |
| Home with hard water and limescale | Water softener (a separate job from these three) |
Not sure which one is you?
Book a free on-site water test. We check your water and plumbing and give you a fixed-price quote on the right system.
What should I look for when buying a water filter?
WaterMark-certified equipment installed by a licensed plumber. WaterMark is the Australian mark for plumbing products. Our systems are WaterMark certified, from brands including Puretec, AquaCo and Davey, so you can buy with confidence.
How do I choose between them?
Start with your water source and what you want to improve. Our free on-site test checks your water, inspects your plumbing and recommends a system with no obligation, so you are never guessing.
Common questions
What's the difference between whole home filtration and reverse osmosis?
Whole home filtration is installed at the main water inlet and treats water before it reaches taps, showers and appliances. It targets chlorine, chloramine, sediment and other common contaminants while helping protect plumbing and reduce scale build-up through your whole house.
Do I need both a whole system and an RO system?
Many homeowners find a whole home system delivers the improvement they're looking for across the house. However, if you want ultra-fine filtration for drinking water, an RO system can complement your whole home filtration system by adding an additional level of protection (fluoride for example) at a dedicated tap. They are not either-or. They work exceptionally well together.
Is reverse osmosis for the whole house?
No. RO systems are designed as point-of-use systems for a single tap. Whole home reverse osmosis is generally not practical due to flow and pressure limitations as well as waste water.
Are your systems certified to Australian standards?
Yes. QLD Water Filtration systems are WaterMark certified and installed by licensed plumbers in accordance with Australian plumbing standards. This ensures safety, compliance and long-term performance.
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