BlogGuidesBy Liam Doyle1 November 2026

How Do You Install a Filtered Water Tap in Your Kitchen?

You install a filtered water tap by choosing the setup that suits your sink, fitting it to your existing tap or arranging a separate drinking tap, and leaving any new supply plumbing to a licensed plumber where your state requires one. The simplest route is the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter, which comes with 5 thread adapters so it can be matched to the tap you already have. In my opinion, that is the easiest way to get filtered water at the kitchen sink, and it is worth having for the taste alone. This guide covers the choices, the rules and the checks, so you can decide what to do before you spend anything.

In this guide:

• Which filtered tap setup suits your kitchen?
• Can you install it yourself, or should you book a plumber?
• What should you check before you start?
• How do you fit, flush and check the filter?
• What does it cost, and is Flowpure worth having?

Which Filtered Tap Setup Suits Your Kitchen?

A dedicated filter tap, a three way mixer tap, an under sink water filter and a benchtop unit all deliver filtered water, but they ask very different things of your kitchen. A dedicated tap or mixer may mean a spare hole in the sink or benchtop and plumbing underneath, while an under sink system also takes up cupboard space. A filter that fits your existing tap avoids most of that work. So, which one should you choose? In my opinion, the tap filter wins for most households, because the job is simpler and your kitchen stays exactly as it is. Flowpure makes the stainless steel version with a 304 stainless steel body, which looks right on a tap that is on show.

Can You Install It Yourself, or Should You Book a Plumber?

It depends on your state and on the work involved, so check the rules before you begin. Government of Western Australia, Building and Energy, says only a plumber licensed by the Plumbers Licensing Board can legally carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work, with homeowner exceptions that include replacing water filter cartridges. The same department says the licensed plumber requirement generally applies when the plumbing system is connected to a metered water supply. If your plan involves a new connection under the sink, a licensed plumber is the sensible person to ask.

Cartridge changes are treated more generously. Queensland Government guidance, published through the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, lists replacing a domestic water filter cartridge as unregulated work, meaning it is something you can take care of yourself, which keeps upkeep simple. The Tasmanian Government, through Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, lists a like for like replacement of a domestic water filter cartridge among the work homeowners may do. Those permissions cover cartridges only, so please do not stretch them to a new installation. Other states and territories have their own rules, so check with your local plumbing regulator.

What Should You Check Before You Start?

Start with the tap you already have, because the fitting is what decides how easy the job will be. Look closely at the outlet on your kitchen tap and compare it with the 5 thread adapters that come with the Flowpure stainless steel filter. If you are planning a separate drinking tap or an under sink system, ask your installer to walk through the layout and the parts list with you before anything is bought. That way, there are no surprises on the day.

It is also worth asking about certification and local requirements. Barwon Water publishes backflow prevention and containment policies that apply on top of national plumbing standards, so requirements vary by supplier, and your installer should know what applies to your address. I would also ask Flowpure to confirm the WaterMark certification status of the exact model you are buying, so you have it in writing before you rely on it. A short email now saves a long conversation later.

How Do You Fit, Flush and Check the Filter?

Follow the instructions supplied with your model, in the order they are given. For a tap filter, that means working from your existing outlet with the adapter that matches it, and for a separate tap or under sink system it means having your licensed plumber isolate the supply and make the connections. I would not guess at any step. If something does not fit, stop and ask rather than forcing it, because a filter is meant to make your kitchen easier to live in.

Once the filter is connected, run it through any flushing step the instructions describe before you drink from it. Then look over the connections while water is running and again once it has stopped, and wipe them with a dry cloth so any moisture stands out. If you find a leak, stop using the system and contact your installer. A few minutes of checking on day one is a good habit, and it also tells you where your cartridge sits for the day it needs changing.

What Does It Cost, and Is Flowpure Worth Having?

Cost depends on the setup you choose. A tap filter involves the product and the occasional cartridge refill, while a separate tap or under sink system adds fittings and the plumber's time, so ask for a current quote that covers all of it before you commit. Flowpure suggests a refill after about 1,200 litres, or up to 3 months, and keeping track of both makes the running cost easy to plan. For a family that drinks plenty of water, that is a small and predictable cost.

Is it worth having? In my opinion, yes, and the reason is simple. Water that meets standards and water that tastes clean are different things. The Flowpure stainless steel filter removes chlorine, VOCs and unpleasant tastes and odours, and it blocks sediment, rust and visible particles, which is what you notice in the glass. It also targets lead and trace metals, so test your water first if that matters to you. Choose the stainless steel model, match it to your tap, and enjoy better water every day.

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