Bacteria (E. coli / coliforms)
Bacteria from animal droppings or contaminated tanks can cause serious waterborne illnesses.

Giardia / Cryptosporidium cysts
These are microscopic parasites found in contaminated tank or stream water that cause stomach and digestive issues.

Problems:

• Waterborne illnesses
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• Risk of serious infection in children/elderly

Recommended:

• UV Systems
  
• Ultrafiltration Units

Organic debris, dirt, pollen, and algae build-up in tanks, especially when gutters or roofs are unclean.

Problems:

• Earthy or musty taste
• Unpleasant odour
• Cloudy water
• Can clog filters and appliances
• Encourages bacterial growth

Recommended:

• Sediment Filters
  Polyspun / pleated sediment filters
  TUBWF sediment + carbon combinations
  
• Carbon Filters
  
• Tank Cleaning Service

A naturally occurring gas from decaying vegetation that produces a rotten-egg smell in water.

Problems:

• Rotten-egg smell
• Metallic or “sour” taste
• Can corrode plumbing over time

Recommended:

• TUBWF sediment + carbon filter systems

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which form scale inside pipes and appliances.

Problems:

• Scaling inside pipes and appliances
• Reduced lifespan of hot water cylinders
• Spots/streaks on glass and dishes
• Soap doesn’t lather (poor sudsing)
• Dry or irritated skin
• Calcium/magnesium
  

Recommended:

• Water Softeners
  Any softener/ion-exchange system in the CSV (e.g., Durosoft, Water Softener Units)

Acidic bore water has low pH and corrodes metal plumbing, often leaving blue/green stains.

Problems:

• Corrosion of copper pipes
• Blue/green stains on fixtures and washing
• Metallic taste
• Long-term damage to plumbing

Recommended:

• Neutralising Filters / Calcite Filters
  pH neutraliser filter cartridges
  Calcite media units

Iron
Iron dissolves into groundwater and causes orange staining, metallic taste, and clogging in pipes.

Manganese
A mineral often found with iron, causing black or brown staining and unpleasant tastes.

Problems:

• Orange, brown, or black staining
• Metallic taste
• Clogging of pipes and pumps
• “Dirty” or discoloured water

Recommended:

• Pyrolox Filter (Automatic)
  
• TUBWF sediment + carbon

A naturally occurring gas in bores that creates a strong rotten-egg smell and can corrode plumbing.

Problems:

• Rotten-egg smell
• Bitter or unpleasant taste
• Black slime in plumbing
• Can corrode metals

Recommended:

• TUBWF sediment + carbon
• Pyrolox Filter (Excellent for H₂S removal)

Nitrates enter groundwater from fertiliser, animal waste, or agriculture and can pose health risks, especially to infants.

Problems:

• Serious health risks for infants (“blue baby syndrome”)
• Can cause headaches and nausea
• Long-term exposure risks for adults

Recommended:

• Nitrate Reduction Cartridges
  Any nitrate cartridges listed
  
• RO Systems (PRF-RO)

These toxic elements occur naturally in some aquifers and can cause long-term health issues.

Problems:

• Toxic even at low levels
• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness in hands/feet
• Increased long-term cancer risk
• Vision problems (severe cases)

Recommended:

• Reverse Osmosis Systems
  PRF-RO
  High-flow RO

Saltwater intrusion occurs in coastal bores, making water taste salty and corrosive to plumbing.

Problems:

• Very salty taste
• Corrosion of metal appliances
• Scaling and mineral build-up
• Poor performance of soaps and detergents

Recommended:

• Reverse Osmosis System
  PRF-RO
  High-flow RO

Naturally occurring organic matter from decaying vegetation — very common in shallow bores or wells near wetlands, farms, or bush.

Problems:

• Yellow or tea-coloured water
• Bitter or earthy taste
• Staining on toilets, basins, and laundry
• Difficult to remove with standard carbon filters
• Can make water appear “dirty” even if bacteria-free

Recommended

• UF membranes + carbon filtration
• Under Bench High-Flow Inline Filter
• These units include high-flow carbon filtration, which helps reduce colour, taste, and organic compounds.
• Eco Aqua Inline / Fridge Carbon Filters
• These are carbon block filters suitable for light organic reduction.

Dissolved silica or colloidal silica found in many New Zealand bores, especially volcanic regions.

Problems:

• Hard, white, glass-like scale on taps, shower glass, fixtures
• “Etching” or permanent marks on shower screens
• Build-up inside hot water cylinders
• Difficult to remove — scaling is harder than calcium
• Reduces lifespan of appliances and plumbing

Best Treatment Requires

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) (removes 90–99% of silica)
• Specialty silica media systems (rare, usually commercial)
• PRF-RO / High-Flow Reverse Osmosis

Sand, silt, clay, and organic debris washed into streams and rivers cause cloudy water and clog filters.

Problems:

• Cloudy water
• Dirt or silt taste
• Unpleasant odour
• Clogs taps, filters, and appliances

Recommended:

• Sediment/Carbon/UV and/or ultrafiltration
• Polyspun/pleated sediment filters and/or multimedia sand filters
  
  
  

Pathogenic bacteria from animals, soil, or runoff cause waterborne illnesses.

Problems:

• Waterborne diseases
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Long-term health effects if untreated

Recommended:

• Sediment/Carbon/UV and/or ultrafiltration
• UV and/or ultrafiltration
  
  
  

Naturally occurring decayed plant material washed into rivers, lakes, and streams. Very common in catchments with forest, farmland, wetlands, or tannin-rich soils.

Problems:

• Brown or tea-coloured water
• Earthy or swampy taste
• Interferes with UV disinfection
• Encourages bacterial growth
• Can cause staining on fixtures
  

Recommended:

• Under Bench High-Flow Inline Filter (Models 1 & Mixer versions)
  (These include sediment + carbon filtration stages.)
• Polyspun / pleated sediment filters