CompactConversation guide
Running the checker, framing the recommendation.
Three stages for an in-home consult: use the checker and walk through the readings, bring in what the checker missed, present three setups. Three options (not a single product pitch) gives the customer control and frames you as advising, not selling.
Step-by-step
Three stages, three setups, one fixed-price quote.
1. Use the water checker
• "I'll run a quick test of your tap water — takes a couple of minutes."
• Glass of cold tap water, dip the checker, wait for the reading to settle.
• Walk the customer through each parameter and what it means at this property.
• Flag anything outside ADWG limits.
• Glass of cold tap water, dip the checker, wait for the reading to settle.
• Walk the customer through each parameter and what it means at this property.
• Flag anything outside ADWG limits.
2. Bring in what the checker can't see
• "This checker handled the common stuff. Four things it doesn't pick up are sediment, PFAS, cysts and bacteria."
• Walk through the blind spots most relevant to the property (reference strip below).
• Walk through the blind spots most relevant to the property (reference strip below).
3. Introduce the three setups
• "Is filtration something you've thought about before, or is this the first time?"
• "Here are the three ways we can handle this. We'll tailor to your home and water demand."
• Fixed-price quote on the day.
• "Here are the three ways we can handle this. We'll tailor to your home and water demand."
• Fixed-price quote on the day.
The three setups
Good · Better · Best.
Good
Under-sink
Under-sink cartridge (0.5 or 1 micron) at the kitchen tap. Chlorine, lead, sediment and taste sorted where it matters most for drinking water. Where most homes start.
Better
Whole house + Under-sink
Whole-house filtration at the mains plus drinking water at the tap. Choose the variant by need: Twin Jumbo for sediment focus, Multi-C for carbon coverage (sediment, taste, PFAS), Multi UV for full chemistry plus biological cover.
Best
Whole house + RO + Under-sink
Total cover. A whole-house system at the mains plus reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap for the most comprehensive membrane filtration: lead, PFAS, fluoride, every dissolved contaminant at lab grade.
Reference · What the checker can't see
Sediment
Rust and grit from old mains. Wears out hot water systems and appliances years early.
PFAS
"Forever chemicals" linked to long-term health concerns. Don't break down in the environment or in the body.
Cysts
Giardia and Cryptosporidium, microscopic parasites that can survive standard chlorination.
Bacteria
E. coli and viruses. Rare in metro mains, but possible through biofilm in older pipework or tank water.
Coverage at a glance
What each system actually removes.
Quick-reference matrix for the consult. Each row is a system, each column a contaminant. Use it to show coverage gaps and the value of stacking systems. The combo row at the bottom is the most common upsell path.
| System | Sediment | Hardness | TDS | Chlorine | Taste & Odour |
Pharma & Pesticides |
PFAS / PFOA |
Lead | Cysts | Bacteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under-Sink Filter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Backwash FilterManual 25mm · Auto 25mm · Auto 32mm | ✓ | |||||||||
| Whole-House Filtration — one of three options, sized & chosen by need | ||||||||||
| Twin 20″ Jumbo0.5 & 1 micron options | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Multi-C 2000 / 3000 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Multi-Stage UV | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Reverse OsmosisCompact & Standard (non-compact) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shower Filter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Whole-House + Under-Sink | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Under-Sink Filter · $679.11
Typically reduces chlorine and improves taste by up to 99%.*
Backwash Filter · From $790.55
Removes up to 95% of sediment, rust, and dirt particles.*
Whole-House Filtration · $2,707.07
Typically reduces chlorine and sediment by 70–95% throughout the home.*
MultiStage UV · $4,268.78
Up to 99.99% reduction in bacteria and microorganisms.*
Reverse Osmosis · From $1,520.41
Up to 99% reduction in PFAS, fluoride, and dissolved contaminants.*
Shower Filter · $429.85
Typically reduces chlorine exposure in shower water by 50–90%.*
Whole-House + Under-Sink · From $3,386.18
Whole-home chlorine reduction with high-level drinking water filtration at the tap.*
*Removal rates vary depending on water quality, filter type, maintenance, and system configuration.
Plumber glossary
What each contaminant actually does at home.
The ten contaminants from the coverage matrix on Page 2, in plain language. Use these as talking points during the consult so the customer understands what each system protects against.
Sediment
Rust, grit and sand from old council mains. Not dissolved — physical particles.
In the home
Grit in the kettle, cloudy water after street works, clogged tap aerators, weak shower pressure. Wears out HWS and appliances years early.
Hardness
Dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. Melbourne mostly soft but varies by suburb.
In the home
Scale on kettles, taps, showerheads. Soap that won't lather. Spots on glassware. Scale buildup in HWS reduces efficiency and shortens lifespan.
TDS
Total Dissolved Solids — every mineral, salt and organic compound in the water, measured in mg/L.
In the home
High TDS usually means high hardness. Affects taste, contributes to scale buildup. Indicator of overall mineral load.
Chlorine
Disinfectant added at the treatment plant to keep water safe through distribution.
In the home
"Pool water" smell or taste, dry skin and hair after showers, off-flavour coffee and tea. The #1 customer complaint about tap water.
Taste & Odour
Catch-all for compounds affecting flavour and smell — chlorine, organics, hydrogen sulphide ("rotten egg"), algae byproducts.
In the home
Customer says "the water tastes funny" or has stopped drinking it and buys bottled instead.
Pharma & Pesticides
Trace pharmaceutical residues (caffeine, ibuprofen, hormones) and agricultural chemicals making it through treatment.
In the home
Invisible, no taste or smell. Long-term health concern. Health-conscious customers actively ask about this.
PFAS / PFOA
"Forever chemicals" from non-stick cookware, firefighting foam and waterproof fabrics. Don't break down.
In the home
Invisible. Accumulate in the body over time. Recognised in Victorian water with ongoing monitoring.
Lead
Heavy metal leaching from old pipes, brass fittings or galvanised pipework. Pre-1990 homes most at risk.
In the home
Undetectable by taste, smell or colour. Serious cumulative health risk, especially for children. Any detection should be acted on.
Cysts
Microscopic parasites — Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Survive standard chlorination.
In the home
No taste, smell or visible sign until illness occurs (gastro). Risk: tank water, rural properties, biofilm in older pipework.
Bacteria
E. coli and viruses. Most killed at the treatment plant. Re-entry through biofilm in ageing pipes or low-flow taps.
In the home
Rare in metro mains. Possible in older pipework, distribution breaks, tank water. No signs until illness.
Product reference
The range, with the benefits to use on the day.
Every system we install, with the customer-facing benefits for the consult. The three whole-house units — Twin Jumbo, Multi-C and Multi-Stage UV — are the options behind the “Whole-House Filtration” row on Page 2.
Under-Sink Filter0.5 / 1 micron
- Cleaner drinking water at the kitchen tap.
- Reduces chlorine and common contaminants.
- Compact, hidden installation.
- Affordable everyday filtration solution.
RemovesSediment · Chlorine · Taste & Odour · Lead
Backwash FilterManual 25mm · Auto 25 / 32mm
- Removes dirt, rust, and sediment.
- Helps improve water clarity.
- Protects plumbing and filters.
- Ideal for older homes.
RemovesSediment
Twin 20″ JumboWhole-house · 0.5 / 1 micron
- Reduces sediment, chlorine, taste and odour.
- Cleaner water for drinking, cooking, bathing and laundry.
- Helps protect plumbing fixtures and household appliances.
- Cost-effective whole-home filtration solution.
RemovesSediment · Chlorine · Taste & Odour
Multi-C 2000 / 3000Whole-house · carbon
- Reduces chlorine, taste and odour throughout the home.
- Filters sediment, dirt and rust particles.
- High-capacity whole-home water filtration.
- Maintains strong flow rates for family homes.
RemovesSediment · Taste & Odour · Pharma & Pesticides · PFAS / PFOA
Multi-Stage UVWhole-house · UV
- Protects against bacteria and microorganisms.
- Retains healthy minerals in water.
- Improves taste and clarity.
- Low-maintenance whole-home protection.
RemovesCysts · Bacteria
Compact
StandardReverse OsmosisCompact or Standard · under-sink only
- Removes PFAS, fluoride, and heavy metals.
- Delivers ultra-purified drinking water.
- Improves taste and odour.
- Ideal for health-conscious households.
RemovesAll parameters — Sediment · Hardness · TDS · Chlorine · Taste & Odour · Pharma & Pesticides · PFAS / PFOA · Lead · Cysts · Bacteria
Shower FilterPer-shower install
- Softer-feeling water on skin and hair.
- Helps reduce chlorine exposure while showering.
- May help minimise dryness and irritation.
- Supports healthier-looking hair and skin.
RemovesSediment · Chlorine · Taste & Odour · Lead
Benefit statements are customer-facing talking points. Actual results vary with water quality, system configuration and maintenance.