Older homes in Riccarton and Fendalton, 1940s to 1960s subdivisions in Ilam, Avonhead and Burnside, homes beside industry in Hornby and new subdivisions at Wigram. For many years Christchurch supplied drinking water straight from deep aquifers with no treatment at all. That changed in 2018, when the council began chlorinating much of the city, and chlorine has since been added to every supply zone. The water is safe to drink, but for many households it no longer tastes the way it used to.
Water filtration in West Christchurch: springs, rentals and cafés
West Christchurch sits close to where the city's water story begins. Avonhead takes its name from the head of the Avon River, an area of many springs fed by the artesian aquifer beneath the plains, and the city's wells draw from that confined aquifer system. Since chlorination reached every zone, many residents in Riccarton, Fendalton, Burnside and Ilam have noticed the taste and ask about filters.
For most homes, an under sink activated carbon filter with a separate drinking tap is enough. In larger Fendalton homes, a whole house unit treats every tap, shower and bath. In Ilam's student rentals, landlords often choose a simple under sink filter that is easy to maintain between tenancies, and we record cartridge types so replacements are quick.
Older Riccarton and Fendalton homes may still have galvanised pipe, which can shed rust and sediment. If your water is discoloured, we check the pipes first, because a filter only hides that problem. Burnside's post war homes from the 1950s and 1960s may have a mix of original and replaced pipe, so we look at the whole supply.
Wigram's new builds are ideal for planning a whole house filter during construction, and Hornby businesses such as cafés and food outlets need filtration for coffee machines, ice makers and drinking water, sized for heavier use. Christchurch water is soft, with a typical hardness of about 45 grams per cubic metre, so softeners are rarely needed. We set up reminders for cartridge changes, usually every six to twelve months.
In Hornby, filters for commercial premises are often fitted with a bypass so the business keeps water during cartridge changes. Avonhead and Ilam homes from the 1950s and 1960s usually have a simple supply layout, which makes whole house filtration straightforward to add.
Local tip: If you rent out a home in Ilam, add the filter cartridge change to your tenancy inspection checklist so it does not get forgotten.
For anything else, see our plumbers in West Christchurch.
Pricing: quotes are free, and every job gets a fixed price before we start, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Water Filtration Jobs We Do in West Christchurch
- Filter low pressure fixes
- UV water treatment
Water Filtration West Christchurch FAQs
Do I need a water softener in Fendalton?
Usually not. Christchurch water is soft, with a typical hardness of about 45 grams per cubic metre. A carbon filter for taste is usually all that is needed.
Will a filter remove chlorine?
An activated carbon filter removes most chlorine taste and smell. An under-sink unit covers drinking water; a whole-house unit covers showers too.
Can you make tank water safe to drink?
Yes, with the right combination of first-flush diversion, filtration and UV treatment, plus regular maintenance and testing.