Water filter installation in Christchurch
Under-sink drinking water filters, whole-house filtration and cartridge replacements — supplied and fitted properly, with the plumbing done to certifying standard rather than tee'd off the nearest pipe.
We fit Puretec systems
We install Puretec water filtration — it's what we've settled on after fitting a fair range of systems over the years. The cartridges are readily available in New Zealand rather than being a proprietary shape you can only get from one importer, the housings hold up, and the flow rate doesn't collapse the moment the filter starts loading up.
That last point matters more than the marketing usually admits. A filter that halves the flow at your kitchen mixer is a filter you'll end up bypassing.
What people actually want filtered here
Christchurch is in the unusual position of having genuinely excellent source water — untreated artesian water from deep aquifers, which most of the country would be envious of. So filtration here isn't usually about making bad water drinkable. It's about three narrower things:
- Chlorine taste and smell. Parts of the network have been chlorinated at various points, and some people can taste it at levels well below anything of concern. A carbon filter deals with it completely.
- Sediment. Fine grit and rust particles, particularly in older galvanised or steel pipework, and after mains work in the street. Sediment is also what chews out tap cartridges and shower valves.
- Scale and hardness. Mineral content that furs up elements, kettles, shower roses and glass. Not a health issue at all, very much a maintenance and appliance-life issue.
If you're on a private bore or a rural supply outside the city network, the picture is different and usually needs a test result before anyone specifies a system. We'll tell you if that's the situation rather than selling you a cartridge and hoping.
The three ways it usually gets fitted
- Under-sink drinking water filter. A single filtered outlet at the kitchen — either a dedicated third tap or plumbed to the cold side of the existing mixer. The most common install, and the cheapest way to fix a taste problem.
- Whole-house filtration. Fitted at the point where the supply enters the house, so every tap, shower and appliance runs filtered. More expensive, but it's the one that protects your cylinder, your mixers and your washing machine as well as your glass of water.
- Twin systems. A sediment cartridge in front of a carbon one, so the carbon isn't wasted clogging up with grit. Standard on whole-house installs and worth it on under-sink where there's visible sediment.
Why it's a plumber's job
A filter is a restriction and a connection point on your potable supply, which makes two things matter: it has to be installed with the right backflow protection and isolating valves, and it has to be serviceable without shutting off the whole house. A system tee'd into the nearest convenient pipe with no isolation means every future cartridge change starts with the toby.
We fit them with isolators either side, mounted where you can actually reach the housing, and we'll show you how to change the cartridge yourself if you'd rather not book someone.
Cartridge changes and servicing
Most cartridges want changing every six to twelve months depending on the system and how hard the household runs it. You'll know it's overdue when flow drops off or the taste comes back. We'll swap them for you, or supply them for you to do yourself — genuinely, it's a five-minute job on a well-installed system and we'd rather you didn't pay a callout for it.
Get a free quote for this job
Tell us what needs doing and we'll come back to you quickly with a price. No obligation, and no charge for the quote.
If you smell gas, or have a burst pipe actively flooding your property, don't wait on a form — call 027 811 5916 now.
Common questions
Do I need a water filter in Christchurch?
Not for safety — Christchurch's artesian supply is high quality. People fit filters here for taste (chlorine), for sediment in older pipework, and to reduce scale build-up that shortens the life of elements, mixers and shower roses. If you're on a private bore rather than city supply, that's a different conversation and usually needs a water test first.
What water filter brand do you install?
Puretec. Cartridges are easy to get in New Zealand rather than being a proprietary size from a single importer, the housings last, and the flow rate holds up as the cartridge loads. We can fit other brands if you've already bought a system.
What's the difference between an under-sink and a whole-house filter?
An under-sink filter treats one outlet — usually a dedicated drinking tap at the kitchen. A whole-house system is fitted where the supply enters the house so every tap, shower and appliance runs filtered, which also protects your cylinder, mixers and washing machine. Whole-house costs more up front and covers far more.
How often do water filter cartridges need changing?
Typically every six to twelve months, depending on the system and how much water the household uses. Falling flow rate or the return of a taste or smell are the usual signs. We can service it for you or supply cartridges for you to change yourself.
Can you install a filter I've already bought?
Yes. We'll fit a system you've supplied, with proper isolating valves either side so future cartridge changes don't mean shutting off the whole house. We'll tell you honestly beforehand if we think the unit isn't well suited to the job.
Where we work
We're based on Wilsons Road in St Martins and work right across greater Christchurch — including these suburbs and more.