What Minerals Your Water Filter Should Remove—And Which to Keep
Not all water is created equal. Whether it comes from a tap, a rain tank, or a bore, the quality of your water depends heavily on what’s in it and what’s been taken out.
A good water filter should do more than just make your water taste better. It should remove the stuff you don’t want in your body while keeping the essential minerals that help you stay healthy and hydrated.
But how do you know what to filter out and what to leave in?
Contents
First, Not All Minerals Are Bad
Minerals in water occur naturally. They usually come from rocks and soil that the water passes through before it reaches your tap. Some of these minerals are actually good for you, like calcium and magnesium. Others? Not so much.
That’s why blindly filtering everything out isn’t always the best approach. In fact, water that’s been completely stripped of minerals (like distilled water) can taste flat and may not support your body’s electrolyte balance in the same way mineral-rich water can. So, water filter systems Melbourne are not about removing all minerals. It’s about removing the right ones.
Minerals Worth Keeping in Your Water
Your body relies on certain minerals for things like muscle function, nerve signals, bone strength, and hydration. Some of these you already get through food, but small amounts in water can help top things up.
Here are a few you want your water to keep:
Calcium
Essential for bone health and plays a role in muscle function. Natural water sources often have trace amounts of calcium that are beneficial to your diet.
Magnesium
Helps regulate muscle and nerve function, supports the immune system, and contributes to energy production. Magnesium in water is also linked to better cardiovascular health.
Potassium
Important for heart health and fluid balance. While it’s more commonly obtained through food, small amounts in water are still a plus.
Silica
Not always mentioned, but this trace mineral can support joint and skin health. It’s often present in small amounts in natural spring water.
These minerals also improve the taste of water, giving it that “fresh” and crisp quality. If your filtered water tastes a bit flat, it could be missing these natural elements.
What Your Water Filter Should Be Removing
Now, let’s look at the other side—what shouldn’t be in your water at all.
These are the minerals and contaminants that can cause harm over time, affect the taste or smell of water, or even damage appliances.
Lead
This one’s a definite no. Lead usually gets into water through old pipes and fittings. Even tiny amounts are unsafe, especially for children. Your filter should absolutely remove all traces of lead.
Mercury
Naturally found in the environment, but dangerous when it enters drinking water. Long-term exposure can damage the kidneys and the nervous system.
Arsenic
Often found in groundwater in some regions. It’s tasteless and odourless, but high levels can be toxic. Any reliable water filter should remove this.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Common in agricultural areas due to fertiliser run-off. In high concentrations, they’re particularly dangerous for babies and young children.
Chlorine
Added to water supplies to kill bacteria, but it can make water smell and taste like a swimming pool. It’s not considered dangerous at low levels, but many people prefer to filter it out for taste and smell alone.
Fluoride
This one’s controversial. Some people choose to filter fluoride out due to personal preference, while others are fine with it being in. Technically a mineral, but whether it stays or goes depends on your stance.
Iron and Manganese
These can stain clothes and plumbing, and give water a metallic taste. Not typically harmful to health in small amounts, but definitely a nuisance.
Copper
Like iron, copper can leach from pipes. High levels aren’t good for your liver or kidneys, so it’s best if your filter deals with it.
Should You Use a Filter That Removes Everything?
It’s tempting to think that more filtration equals better water. Some systems, like reverse osmosis, strip out nearly everything, including the beneficial minerals.
While these systems can be useful in areas with highly contaminated water, they can also leave your water completely demineralised. That’s not ideal for everyday drinking. That’s why it’s worth consulting with an expert who understands your area and can advise on the best option for you.
It may be that you consider a re-mineralisation stage. Some filters add calcium and magnesium back in after purification to improve taste and health value.
How to Know What’s In Your Water
If you’re not sure what minerals or contaminants are in your water, it’s worth getting it tested. You don’t need to guess.
A basic test can tell you:
- What minerals are present
- Whether any contaminants are at unsafe levels
- If your water’s hardness could affect appliances
Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can choose a filter that targets exactly what needs to go without removing the good stuff.
A Smarter Way to Filter
Rather than buying the most powerful filter on the market and hoping for the best, think about what your water actually needs.
Got hard water with high calcium? You might want a softener or partial filter that doesn’t overdo it.
Relying on bore or tank water? A filter that handles sediment, bacteria, and heavy metals could be essential.
Living in an area with old plumbing? Look for filters that remove lead and copper specifically.
Targeted filtering means better water, longer filter life, and less waste.
Filtering your water is smart, but only when it’s done thoughtfully. Some minerals are vital for health and should stay in your drinking water. Others are harmful, and your filter should remove them completely. It’s all about balance.
