FAQs – Cara Water

Have questions? We’ve got answers.

Welcome to the CARA Water FAQ page — your go-to resource for all things water filtration.

Whether you’re researching the right system, already using one of our products, or just curious about water quality, you’ll find clear, honest answers to common questions right here.

Scroll through the categories below.

Not everything covered below?

We’re here to help! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, simply reach out — our team would love to hear from you.

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All our products are in stock and available for immediate shipping.

Our warehouse is in Croydon NSW and where all our products are shipped from.

NSW 1 to 2 days delivery
QLD 2 to 3 days delivery
VIC 2 to 3 days delivery
SA 3 to 4 days delivery
WA 5 to 7 days delivery
NT 5 to 7 days delivery
TAS 5 to 7 days delivery

Our preferred delivery services are with Australia Post/Star Track and Direct Freight Express

If you order after 12 midday you order will be shipped the next day

Tracking details are automatically emailed to you once the parcel has been picked up by the courier service.
All our products have 12 months warranty.
Please register your warranty online at www.carawater.com.au

Call us anytime with any concerns with the products you have purchased on (02) 9799 2791 or email info@carawater.com.au
Need Help with a Purchase or Query?

Customer Support

Sales Inquiries: Email us at info@carawater.com.au

Wholesale or Bulk Orders: Please send item details to info@carawater.com.au

Trading Hours

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

Phone Support: Available daily from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

Address

1/1 West Street, Croydon NSW 2132
Phone: (02) 9799 2791
For returns and refunds please email info@carawater.com.au or call Marol on 02 97992791

We follow consumer law policies
We offer shipping services with Australia Post/Star Track and Direct Freight

Estimated Delivery Times
- Melbourne: 3-4 business days
- Sydney: 2-3 business days
- Brisbane: 3-4 business days
- Adelaide: 4-5 business days
- Perth: 5-7 business days
- Canberra: 2-3 business days
- Darwin: 6-7 business days
Cara Water was founded by Andrew Kelly, a health-conscious innovator with a passion for making clean, mineral-rich water accessible to all.
After seeing how many families and workplaces struggled to find high-quality water filtration without high costs or complexity, Andrew made it his mission to create a better solution — one that balances affordability, sustainability, ease of use, and great design.
Unlike many water filtration companies, Cara Water focuses on simplicity and sustainability.
Our systems are easy to use, beautifully designed, and built to last — without hidden costs or complicated maintenance.
We offer a range of solutions for home, office, and personal use, from under-sink systems to benchtop units, shower filters, jugs, and bottles.
Cara Water was born out of a desire to solve a very real problem: access to clean water without the confusion, high price tag, or environmental guilt.
The market was flooded with bulky, complex, or overpriced systems — and Andrew saw an opportunity to offer something better: clean water solutions that are smart, stylish, and accessible.
Our products are thoughtfully designed in Australia and manufactured with care in China, meeting high international standards for quality and safety.
Each product goes through rigorous quality control to ensure performance and reliability.
We also offer free shipping, a 12-month warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on most items.

The Benchtop Reverse Osmosis (RO) System removes up to 95% of total dissolved solids (TDS) and a wide range of contaminants, including:
- Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic (100%)
- Chlorine and its by-products (like chloramines) (99.67%)
- Fluoride (91.50%)
- PFAS (“forever chemicals”) (95%)
- Pesticides and herbicides (99.30%)
- Bacteria and viruses (99.30%)
- Microplastics and sediment (100%)
It uses multi-stage filtration, including a sediment pre-filter, activated carbon filter, reverse osmosis membrane, and post-carbon filter, to deliver exceptionally pure, great-tasting water — hot or cold, at the touch of a button.
No installation or plumbing is required.
This system is completely portable and plug-and-play. Simply:
1. Fill the detachable tank with tap water
2. Plug the unit into a power point
3. Select your preferred temperature and volume — and enjoy pure water instantly.
No tools, no plumber, no fuss.
We recommend using mains water only.
Rainwater and bore water can contain biological contaminants (like bacteria or parasites) and higher levels of sediment, minerals, or agricultural runoff, which may shorten the life of the filters or overwhelm the system.
If you do want to use rainwater or bore water, you’ll need to pre-filter it through a UV steriliser and sediment filtration system first.
If you’re unsure, feel free to contact us to discuss your setup — we’re here to help you get the cleanest, safest water possible.
No, it does not.
The CARA Water Jug is made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic that is carefully selected to avoid leaching microplastics or chemical contaminants into your water. Your water is stored safely, without exposure to harmful materials.
What’s more, if you're using the CARA Hot & Cold RO Water Station, the water that fills the jug has already passed through a 5-stage reverse osmosis filtration system, which removes microplastics down to 0.0001 microns.
That means:

✅ No microplastics go in
✅ No microplastics come out
✅ You get safe, clean, thoroughly filtered water—every time

The CARA Benchtop RO Hot/Cold Water Station is designed for simplicity and ease of maintenance, with just two filters:
- PCB Filter (Pre-Carbon Block): Replace every 6–12 months, depending on your water quality and usage.
- RO Membrane Filter: Replace every 18–24 months under normal household use.
💡 Tip: If you notice reduced water flow, a change in taste, or your TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) reading starts to increase, it’s likely time to replace a filter.
Your benchtop unit includes a real-time TDS monitor so you can track water quality.
A rising TDS level indicates the RO membrane may be reaching the end of its life.
You can also keep track of time-based replacement using simple reminders—set a calendar alert or mark the date on a sticker near the unit.
You can easily order filters directly from our website:
👉 Shop Replacement Filters →

No tools or plumbing are required—filter replacement is simple and can be done in just a few minutes.

Most CARA Water Jug filters last around 60 days, or approximately 150 litres of filtered water—whichever comes first.
However, this can vary depending on your household usage and the quality of your tap water. If you're filtering heavily chlorinated water or using the jug frequently, you may need to replace the filter sooner for optimal performance.
💡 Tip: If the taste of your water changes or the flow slows down, it’s a good sign the filter needs replacing.
CARA jug filters use high-quality carbon or alkaline media to remove common tap water contaminants, including:
- Chlorine (improves taste and smell)
- Sediment (like rust or dirt particles)
- Heavy metals (such as lead, copper, and mercury)
- Organic compounds and some pesticides
This means your water not only tastes better but is also safer to drink.

Both carbon and alkaline filters clean your water, but they do it in slightly different ways and offer unique benefits.
Carbon filters are designed to remove chlorine, unpleasant odours, and chemical contaminants that can affect the taste and safety of your tap water.
They use activated carbon to trap impurities, making your water cleaner, clearer, and better tasting. These are ideal for everyday use and are a great step up from unfiltered tap water.
Alkaline filters, on the other hand, do everything a carbon filter does—and more. In addition to removing contaminants, alkaline filters add back beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can be stripped during filtration.
They also help raise the pH level of your water, making it more alkaline. This is believed to help support the body's natural pH balance and improve hydration.

💡 Did you know? Alkaline water often has a smoother, more refreshing taste—and it’s especially popular among people focused on wellness and hydration.
So, if you’re simply looking to improve taste and remove everyday nasties, a carbon filter will do the job beautifully.
But if you’d like to boost your mineral intake and enjoy alkaline water at home, consider choosing an alkaline filter.

The CARA Shower Filter uses advanced carbon filtration to reduce:
- Chlorine and chloramine
- Heavy metals like lead and mercury
- Rust and sediment
- Unpleasant odours
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
This makes your shower water gentler on your skin, hair, and lungs—especially helpful for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
💡 Light bulb moment: Steam from a hot shower can release chlorine gas into the air. A shower filter helps protect both your skin and your lungs.
The shower filter typically lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on your water quality and how often it’s used.
A single person might get 6+ months out of a filter, while a family may need to replace it more often.

Yes! No plumber needed.
The CARA Shower Filter is designed to screw directly onto your existing shower hose in just a few minutes.
It’s a universal fit for most standard fixtures and comes with instructions for a smooth DIY install.

Yes. The CARA system comes with:
- All required mounting hardware
- A detailed installation guide
It’s designed for DIY installation, but you can also opt for a professional plumber if you prefer.
Yes. The reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in the CA5001 system has pores so tiny that they block even the smallest microplastics and most PFAS.
For the toughest contaminants, the system combines RO with carbon filtration, offering comprehensive protection and peace of mind.
This is a Direct Flow RO system — which means no storage tank is needed and you get purified water on demand.
It’s also compact, features a Smart LCD display, and is more efficient with a 1:1 pure-to-waste water ratio, making it space-saving and sustainable.
The Smart LCD display will notify you when it’s time. As a guide:
- PP + Carbon Filter: every 6–12 months
- RO Membrane: every 24–36 months
- T33 Carbon Cartridge: every 12 months
Lifespan depends on usage and water quality.
The purified water flow rate is 1.3 litres per minute, providing a steady supply of clean water.
Yes, as long as your rain or bore water is potable (safe to drink) and within the acceptable parameters for RO filtration.

The filtration process removes chlorine, odours, and chemicals using:
- Pre-filters (Poly Spun & Carbon Block)
- T33 Coconut Carbon Cartridge
This final stage polishes the water for great taste.
- Filter life
- Operation status
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels
It’s like a dashboard for your water quality and system health.
Yes — it’s compact.
Dimensions: 443mm (W) x 132mm (D) x 356mm (H)
Just change the filters as indicated by the LCD and check occasionally for leaks.
The Auto Leak Stop Valve adds protection and convenience.
- Purify: Uses only the first PPC filter – suitable for rinsing fruit/veg.
- Drink: Water passes through all three filters – ready for drinking.

Yes. The CARA system comes with:
- All required mounting hardware
- A detailed installation guide
It’s designed for DIY installation, but you can also opt for a professional plumber if you prefer.
The CA4001 features a 3-stage filtration system that removes sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful contaminants — giving you safer, clearer, and cleaner water for everyday use.
Its Carbon Block Filter targets chlorine and chemical compounds that affect flavour and smell.
Combined with the Ultrafiltration Membrane, which removes fine particles, it delivers crisp, great-tasting water.
Each filter has a lifespan of approximately 6–12 months, depending on usage and water quality.
The total filtration capacity is 3650 litres.
Regular replacement ensures optimal performance and water quality.

The CA4001 is designed primarily for municipal (tap) water.
If using well or rainwater, you’ll need to ensure it meets inlet water pressure and quality requirements to avoid damaging the system.
Yes — it’s compact and designed to fit under most kitchen sinks.
Dimensions: 390mm (W) x 136mm (D) x 340mm (H).
Just change the filters as indicated by the LCD and check occasionally for leaks.
The Auto Leak Stop Valve adds protection and convenience.

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General Questions

Benchtop RO Hot & Cold Water Station

Water Filter Jugs

Shower Filters

Under Sink RO Filters

Under Sink 3-Stage Filters (non-RO)