Water Filtration
in the Algarve

A resin-based filtration system that reduces the scale-forming minerals responsible for limescale, delivering treated water to every outlet in the property. Fitted at the point of entry to the property, it protects every appliance, fitting, pipe and water heater simultaneously.

Requires periodic salt top-up (the resin regenerates itself) and a bypass for the outdoor garden supply. We fit whole-house filtration systems across the Algarve and set up a service reminder for the annual resin check and salt supply.

Best for: Villas and larger properties where protecting multiple bathrooms, appliances and a water heater simultaneously justifies the investment. Payback typically within two to three years in extended appliance and fitting life.

Template Assisted Crystallisation (TAC) systems don't remove calcium from the water — they alter the structure of calcium crystals so that they pass through the system without depositing as scale. No salt, no electricity, no drainage connection required. Significantly lower installation cost than a resin-based filtration system and no ongoing salt purchase.

The trade-off: TAC systems prevent new scale formation and gradually reduce existing scale deposits, but they don't produce the "slippery" treated-water feel of a salt-based filtration system. They are also less effective in very high hardness water. For Algarve properties with moderate hard water issues where the primary concern is appliance protection, they are a practical and low-maintenance option.

Best for: Apartments, smaller properties, and situations where appliance protection is the primary goal and the lower maintenance of a salt-free system is preferred.

A point-of-use reverse osmosis system installed under the kitchen sink produces near-pure drinking water — removing virtually all dissolved minerals, bacteria, nitrates, pesticides and any other contaminants present in the supply. Produces a dedicated drinking water tap at the sink for bottled-water quality from the tap.

Reverse osmosis is the appropriate drinking water solution for both mains-connected properties where the occupants want to eliminate bottled water consumption, and for borehole-supply properties where the water chemistry makes the untreated supply unsuitable for drinking. RO systems require an annual membrane and filter cartridge replacement.

Best for: Any property where drinking water quality is a concern — either due to mains taste/quality or uncertain borehole water chemistry. Eliminates bottled water purchase entirely for a household.

Elevated iron in borehole water causes an orange-brown staining on sanitary ware, laundry, dishwasher interiors and kitchen surfaces. Manganese causes a black or dark brown staining. Both are common in Algarve borehole water from certain geological formations — particularly in the calcareous interior areas of the Loulé and Tavira municipalities.

Iron removal is achieved through oxidation filtration — either air injection (oxygen oxidises dissolved iron to solid particles which are then filtered) or chemical oxidation using permanganate-based media. The appropriate treatment depends on the iron concentration, pH and other water chemistry parameters from the borehole test. We carry out water testing and specify the correct treatment approach for each borehole.

Best for: Rural borehole properties where orange staining on basins and toilet bowls, or black staining on surfaces, indicates elevated iron or manganese in the supply.

Ultraviolet sterilisation kills bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in the water supply without adding any chemicals — the water passes through a UV lamp chamber and any biological contamination is neutralised. Essential for any borehole supply where bacterial contamination is possible or confirmed, and for any property where the borehole casing condition or well head protection is uncertain.

UV sterilisation is installed as a final treatment stage after filtration — the water must be clear and relatively low in iron before reaching the UV lamp, as turbidity and colour reduce the UV penetration and effectiveness. It requires an annual lamp replacement to maintain effectiveness. We install UV sterilisation as part of a complete borehole treatment train where needed.

Best for: All borehole-supply properties as a minimum final stage. Essential where bacterial contamination is confirmed or where the borehole is close to agricultural land or septic systems.

Sediment pre-filters remove particulate matter — sand, silt, rust particles — from the supply before it reaches other treatment stages or appliances. Essential as the first stage of any borehole treatment train, and useful on mains supplies where the distribution system introduces rust particles from ageing infrastructure. Carbon filters remove chlorine taste and odour from mains water and organic compounds from borehole supplies.

Sediment filters also protect irrigation solenoid valves and drip emitters on borehole-fed garden irrigation systems — without filtration, particulate matter blocks emitters and damages solenoid valve diaphragms within a season. We specify sediment filtration on all borehole irrigation systems as standard.

Best for: Every borehole system as a pre-treatment stage. Also useful as a standalone solution on mains supplies where taste, odour or rust particles are the specific concern.