Water quality for hospitality — taste, clarity, reliability
Stop Scale, Protect Taste: Water Filtration for Ice Makers, Espresso & Cold Drink Systems (Australia)
A practical, Australia‑ready guide to choosing filters, controlling hardness/scale, and keeping audit‑ready records for FSANZ 3.2.2A — without guesswork or vague claims.
Executive summary (60–90 seconds)
- Great ice and coffee start with the water. Taste, clarity and machine reliability depend on removing particles and chlorine/chloramine, and on managing hardness to control scale.
- FSANZ 3.2.3 requires potable water; FSANZ 3.2.2A expects you to keep evidence that critical controls like filtration and descaling are implemented and verified.
- Match filter to risk: sediment + carbon for taste/odour; add scale inhibitor for moderate hardness; use softening, RO or RO‑blend for high hardness or combi ovens (which concentrate minerals when steaming).
- Plan capacity and pressure: choose filters by flow rate (L/min) and capacity (L) and track change‑out dates/volume — not just “every 6 months”.
Compliance snapshot — what’s required vs what’s good practice
| Area | What it covers | What you must do | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSANZ 3.2.3 (Food Premises & Equipment) | Potable water for food, ice, beverages, cleaning and hygiene. | Provide an adequate supply of potable water (volume, pressure, temperature) and design connections to prevent contamination. | Source water + plumbing arrangements that keep water potable from mains to machine. |
| FSANZ 3.2.2A (Food safety management tools) | Evidence that controls are implemented and verified. | Keep records (e.g., filter changes, descaling, water checks) to demonstrate the control is maintained. | Simple logs with dates/volume/parts; invoices and service reports filed by equipment ID. |
| Water treatment (industry practice) | Filtration/conditioning to protect taste and reduce scale/corrosion. | Not mandated nationally; choose a solution fit for your local water chemistry and appliance warranty. | Filter train matched to hardness/chlorine/chloramine; capacity sized for your daily litres and peak L/min. |
Water basics — what actually matters for hospitality
Key parameters
- Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3): calcium and magnesium that form scale when heated or evaporated.
- Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3): buffering capacity; interacts with hardness to drive scale/corrosion balance.
- TDS (mg/L): total dissolved solids; not the same as hardness but related to taste and concentration effects.
- pH: affects corrosion and flavour extraction (espresso).
- Chlorine / chloramine: disinfectants that impact taste/odour and can attack some elastomers/metals.
- Particles/turbidity: cause blockages, poor ice clarity and valve wear.
Practical hardness bands (guidance)
| Hardness (as CaCO3) | Descriptor | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 mg/L | Soft | Low scale risk; may taste “flat”; espresso may need remineralisation. |
| 61–120 mg/L | Moderately hard | Manageable with inhibitor/carbon; watch steam equipment. |
| 121–180 mg/L | Hard | Scale forms in boilers/evaporators; consider softening or RO‑blend. |
| >180 mg/L | Very hard | High scale risk; RO‑blend or softener recommended; frequent descaling. |
Measure your site water — do not assume. Use your utility’s water quality report and on‑site hardness test strips or titration.
Quick‑start table — filter picks by hardness & application
| Application | Hardness | Recommended approach | Why | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice makers (cubers & flakers) | Soft → Moderately hard (0–120 mg/L) | Sediment + carbon block + scale inhibitor | Removes particles/taste; slows crystal scale formation on evaporators. | Change cartridges by litres or pressure drop; keep bin/discharge lines clean. |
| Ice makers | Hard → Very hard (≥121 mg/L) | Softener or RO‑blend + carbon block | Reduces hardness load; protects evaporators and valves. | RO needs drain; blend valve retains some minerals for taste/ice quality. |
| Espresso | Varies by machine spec (often ~40–80 mg/L as CaCO3) | Cartridge conditioning (partial softening) or RO‑blend tuned for target alkalinity/hardness | Balances scale risk with flavour extraction and corrosion control. | Avoid near‑zero TDS unless manufacturer allows; verify warranty guidance. |
| Cold drink/post‑mix | Any | Sediment + carbon (catalytic for chloramine) | Improves taste/odour; protects valves/orifices. | Chloramine requires catalytic carbon for effective reduction. |
| Combi ovens/steamers | Moderately hard → Very hard | Softener or RO (often RO‑blend with remineralisation) | Boiling/steam concentrates minerals; scale rapidly reduces performance. | Follow oven manufacturer’s water spec (hardness, alkalinity, conductivity). |
Filtration technologies — what to use, and when
| Technology | What it does | Pros | Limitations | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sediment (5–1 µm) | Removes particles, rust, sand. | Protects downstream filters & valves; inexpensive. | Does not remove taste/odour or dissolved minerals. | All equipment as first stage. |
| Carbon block (activated/catalytic) | Reduces chlorine; catalytic grades also reduce chloramine. | Improves taste/odour; protects rubber/plastics. | No hardness reduction; capacity depends on chlorine/chloramine level. | Ice, post‑mix, espresso pre‑treatment. |
| Scale inhibitor (polyphosphate) | Sequesters hardness to reduce crystal growth. | Simple; compact; good for moderate hardness. | Not a cure for very hard water; dosing is finite; not for high‑temp boilers. | Ice makers, beverage valves in moderate hardness zones. |
| Softener (ion exchange) | Exchanges Ca/Mg for Na/K to lower hardness. | Effective for boilers/evaporators; regenerable. | Adds sodium; needs salt and periodic regeneration; brine waste. | Combi ovens, dishwashers, very hard‑water ice makers. |
| RO (reverse osmosis) | Removes most dissolved solids via membrane. | Strong scale control; consistent water quality. | Waste stream; storage tank; may need remineralisation/blend for taste/corrosion balance. | Combi ovens, espresso (RO‑blend), very hard/variable water. |
| UV | Inactivates microorganisms via UV‑C light. | Non‑chemical; point‑of‑use barrier. | Requires low turbidity; no residual; not a substitute for potable supply. | Risk‑managed special cases; consult manufacturer and local rules. |
Sizing, capacity & pressure — avoid underspec
- Flow (L/min): match peak demand (e.g., simultaneous beverage valves, brew cycles, ice machine fill). Undersized filters cause pressure drop and slow cycles.
- Capacity (L): change filters by volume processed and water chemistry, not just calendar time. Track litres (meter) or use manufacturer capacity tables.
- Pressure: check minimum inlet pressure for ice makers and beverage systems; allow for pressure drop across your filter train at peak flow.
- Temperature: most cartridges are cold‑water only; protect from heat near combi ovens/steam.
Maintenance schedule & record‑keeping (FSANZ 3.2.2A)
| Task | Who | Interval (typical) | Record/Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace sediment/carbon cartridges | Trained staff or technician | By capacity (L) or pressure drop; often 6–12 months | Date, device ID, litres to date, part number, initials |
| Regenerate softener | Trained staff | Per hardness/load (e.g., weekly to monthly) | Salt added, regeneration date/time, hardness after |
| RO pre‑filter/membrane service | Technician | Pre‑filter 3–6 months; membrane 2–3 years (quality‑dependent) | Service report; permeate TDS; inlet/outlet pressure |
| Descale equipment (where required) | Technician | Per manufacturer guidance and hardness | Work order; chemicals used; rinse verification |
| Verify potable supply & cleanliness | Food‑safety lead | Quarterly visual/operational checks | Checklist; corrective actions (if any) |
Store logs, service reports and invoices by equipment ID so they are easy to show during audits.
Installation tips — ice, espresso, cold drink & combi ovens
- Measure hardness on site and review your utility’s water quality report before specifying filters.
- Place filters where they are accessible and upright; protect from heat and splash; allow clearance for cartridge change.
- Use food‑grade tubing/fittings and observe flow direction; flush cartridges to waste before connecting to equipment.
- Plan RO storage and drain if using RO; provide an air‑gap or tundish to prevent backflow via drains.
- For espresso, tune a blend valve or conditioning cartridge to manufacturer‑recommended hardness/alkalinity targets.
- For combi ovens, follow water specification sheets precisely (hardness, alkalinity, conductivity) to protect warranty.
Local notes for major cities (check your water retailer’s report)
Sydney
- Retail water is disinfected (commonly with chlorine/chloramine). Carbon or catalytic carbon improves taste and protects seals.
- Hardness varies by suburb and season — measure on site before choosing between inhibitor, softener or RO‑blend.
- Plan maintenance access; many sites place filter trains in back‑of‑house near cold drink or ice lines.
Melbourne
- Generally softer water from protected catchments, but verify with your current water quality report and in‑store test.
- Espresso often benefits from light conditioning or RO‑blend to reach machine targets for hardness/alkalinity.
- Cold drink systems still need carbon for taste and disinfectant reduction.
Brisbane
- Hardness can be higher and more variable; steam equipment and ice makers benefit from softening or RO‑blend.
- Confirm pressure/flow at point‑of‑use; ensure filter trains do not starve high‑demand beverage manifolds.
- Use scheduled filter changes by litres and pressure drop rather than time alone.
FAQs (direct answers)
Is TDS the same as hardness?
No. Hardness measures calcium and magnesium (often expressed as mg/L as CaCO3); TDS includes all dissolved solids (e.g., sodium, chloride, bicarbonate). They are related but not interchangeable.
Do I need RO for my ice maker?
Only if hardness/TDS are high or very variable. Many sites run sediment + carbon + inhibitor successfully; where scale still forms, move to softening or RO‑blend.
Why is my ice cloudy?
Trapped air, particulates or high mineral content. Filtration and correct freeze cycles improve clarity; machine design also matters.
What water should I target for espresso?
Follow the machine manufacturer’s spec. Many target modest hardness and alkalinity for extraction, with enough buffer to avoid corrosion but not so high that scale forms rapidly.
How often should filters be changed?
By litres processed, water quality and pressure drop — not just by calendar. Many systems land between 6–12 months, but busy venues or challenging water may require more frequent changes.
Standards noted
- FSANZ Chapter 3 — potable water requirements for food premises (3.2.3) and record‑keeping expectations under 3.2.2A.
- Manufacturer water specifications for espresso, combi ovens and ice makers (follow the model‑specific sheet for warranty protection).
- Water retailer annual water quality reports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) for current local hardness, disinfectant and TDS information.
Always confirm final water targets and filtration with your equipment manufacturer and licensed technician for your site conditions.