A confronting video showing what builds up inside a household water filter over 12 months has left Australians questioning what is really coming out of their taps.
Plumber Adam McInnes shared a now-viral video holding up a used filter cartridge, completely coated in thick brown sludge, next to a new one, which remains white.
'This one shocked me. It has got to be up there, probably one of the worst I have ever seen,' he said in the video.
The stark contrast has shocked viewers, with many admitting they had never considered what might be sitting inside their home's water system.
McInnes explained the filter was part of a whole-house filtration system, designed to clean all water entering the home.
'This system filters all of the water coming into your home and protects everything - your appliances and obviously your drinking water, your plumbing,' he said.
Pointing to the buildup, he added: 'This is just what you can see, imagine the contaminants in there that you cannot.'
Despite the alarming appearance, he later clarified the system was still functioning effectively, with later filtration stages showing no sediment.
What is actually in your water?
Speaking to the Daily Mail, McInnes, owner of Central Coast Water Filtration, said the dirty cartridge represents just the first stage of a multi-step process.
'That is the first stage of our three-stage whole house filtration system,' he said. 'It is purely there to remove sediment, dirt, rust, organic matter that comes through the underground mains.'
He explained that by the time water reaches homes, it has travelled through extensive infrastructure.
'The water runs through kilometres of underground water mains from each treatment plant before it reaches the home,' he said. 'It is almost impossible to maintain cleanliness of the entire underground network and obviously due to council budgets, the pipes are sometimes extremely old.'
While the first filter captures visible debris, McInnes said other substances require further treatment.
'The next two stages of the system are what remove the chemicals like chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, PFAS (forever chemicals), heavy metals, chloramines, volatile organic compounds, giardia, cysts etc,' he said.
Although tap water is regulated and considered safe to drink in Australia, he said emerging research is prompting some households to take extra precautions.
'The water is said to be safe but the more information and research that comes out is proving that even small levels of these chemicals is causing many health problems due to everyday exposure,' he said. 'Our advice is always that if you can afford to put one of these systems on your home, then do it.'
Why more Australians are paying attention
The video has tapped into a growing interest in water quality and home filtration, particularly as Australians become more conscious of what they consume daily.
For many, the appeal is not just about drinking water, but overall exposure - including showers, baths, and even laundry.
McInnes said some customers turn to filtration systems after experiencing skin issues. 'Many of our clients get these systems installed due to skin irritations like eczema and have great results in reducing the flare ups whereas some find their eczema totally disappears,' he said.
While the footage has alarmed some viewers, others have pointed out it also highlights how effective filtration systems can be.
The buildup seen in the cartridge is material that would otherwise continue through the plumbing system - reinforcing the role these filters play rather than suggesting immediate danger.
Still, the visual has struck a chord, offering a rare glimpse into what is usually hidden behind the walls.
For many Australians, it has prompted a simple question: if that is what is being caught, what is getting through?
