There's something truly special about the Southern Cross Pottery Gravity Water Filters. They’re not just a filter; they're a beautiful, handmade addition to your kitchen that provides fantastic, naturally purified water.
To help you get the absolute best out of yours, we’ve put together this complete guide. We'll walk you through everything you need to know, from the initial unboxing and simple setup of the ceramic cartridge to how the filter actually works. We also cover regular cleaning and maintenance, plus a few handy troubleshooting tips for any little hiccups you might encounter.
By the end of this blog, you'll have all the information you need to keep your system in top condition and enjoy fresh, delicious and safely filtered water for years to come.
Table of Contents
Watch the video below and learn about the elegance of Southern Cross Pottery Gravity Water Filters! We feature two models that are designed to enhance any kitchen. In the video, we guide you through the quick and simply installation of the Doulton ceramic cartridge to make sure your filter works properly and provides reliable water purification. By following our step-by-step guide for setup and maintenance tips, you can enjoy fresh and delicious water in no time. Transform your hydration experience today!
PLEASE NOTE: The models featured in the video above are no longer available. However, if you’re after a reliable and beautifully crafted alternative, you may check out our current selection of available gravity ceramic water filters, including the popular Filteroo® Joey.
The Filteroo® Joey is a standout replacement for the discontinued Southern Cross Pottery Gravity Water Filters. Both use natural, gravity-fed ceramic filtration—no power or plumbing needed—and are handmade from high-quality stoneware to provide safe, clean and mineral-rich drinking water.
What sets the Filteroo® Joey apart is its thoughtful design. Handmade by skilled potters, it’s fully glazed inside and out, with a larger top tank for fewer refills, a grippable lid and a modular setup for easy cleaning. It also features a fast-flowing stainless steel tap, an elevated ceramic base and comes with your choice of premium filtration cartridges, including fluoride removal options.
To see how simple it is to get started, watch our Filteroo® installation guide video below.
Installation
You can expect to find five components in the box regardless of the style of purifier you purchased. You will either have a Royal Doulton Super Sterasyl® filter or an SCP Fluoride Plus™ filter along with four separate ceramic piece: a base, a water container with a stainless steel tap, a filter container and a lid.
Step 1: Place the base on the counter and then put the water container on top (when you start with the base, the widest opening sits on the counter top, the narrower opening and the opening that has ceramic pulled toward the middle forming a doughnut shape is the side that the water container actually sits on).
Step 2: Remove the filter from the box and unscrew the wing nut to remove the washer as well unless they're already loose in the box.
Step 3: Insert the thread of the filter through the hole in the filter container, then place the washer over the thread and tighten it firmly with wing nut. The thread is inserted toward the counter top. If two washers are provided, put one inside the infit and the other underneath the infit.
Step 4: Carefully place the filter container into the top opening of the water container.
Step 5: Fill with water to the top of the filter container and place the lid in the unglased galley at the top of the filter container.
All done! Just wait for the water to drip down into the water container and enjoy drinking water the way nature intended. Sometimes, it is advisable to place a brand new filter upside down in a glass of water to soak for a few hours, before installation, to increase the rate of flow.
How Does the Gravity Fed Ceramic Stoneware Water Filter Work?
Water is placed in the top container, shaped like an inverted bell. This houses the ceramic filter, which has a nozzle protruding through a small hole into the main body of the purifier (please refer to the illustration).
Once the water passes through the filter, it accumulates in the water container where it can be accessed by pressing down on the tap. The water is then filtered naturally in three different ways.
1) The external micro-porous ceramic wall filters the water down to as small as 0.5 micron to remove up to 99.99% of bacteria and other solids. The tiny pores of the ceramic make it extremely efficient and effective at removing particulate matter and fine sediment. The ceramic is also a highly effective barrier to bacterial pathogens and water-bourne cysts including e-coli, cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella.
2) The water passes through the inner core of activated charcoal, which removes chlorine, ammonia, fluoride and bad tastes and odours. Activated carbon works by attracting and holding certain chemicals as water passes through it. It is a highly porous material with an extremely high surface area for contaminant adsorption. Adsorption is the phenomenon wherein molecules adhere to a surface they come in contact with.
3) The ceramic wall of this filter has been impregnated with silver ions to prevent the growth of bacteria in the filter itself and also in the stored water. The silver acts as a natural biocide inhibiting microbiological growth so there is no need to sterilise the filter even when it is used over an extended period of time.
This design prevents any overflow problems common with two part systems. Each purifier is hand made on the potter’s wheel and individually decorated in a variety of colours, many of which are uniquely Australian.
The purifier is fired to stoneware temperature of 1305 centigrade, making it the perfect non-toxic material to filter and store drinking water. Firing at this high temperature ensures your water purifier is waterproof and extremely resilient to cracking, crazing and chipping.
Unlike terracotta and earthenware systems, our stoneware system will not grow mould, become stained, deteriorate with age or leave a clay taste in your water. The inside of the purifier is glazed, allowing ease of cleaning.
No fumes are given off as with plastics or metals, allowing safer long storage. The insulating properties of stoneware will help keep your water naturally cool for drinking and ice may be added to the container for chilled water. There is no electricity or plumbing and the purifier is small enough that it can be moved easily from room to room.
The PH of the water is increased slightly, and this is the result of the calcium content in the media of the cartridge. In the case of the SCP Fluoride Plus™ and the Doulton®, no earthy taste is given off with the increase of the PH. The Fluoride Plus™ can increase the PH by 1 to 2 full points, essentially providing a similar benefit as some alkalising machines on the market without the added cost.
Care Instructions
All water purifier filters must be cleaned regularly and replaced periodically. Replacement timing will depend on the quality of the local water conditions and frequency of use. Under average conditions and if cleaned regularly, your filter should provide filtration for up to 12 months or 2000 litres. After this stage, the activated carbon becomes saturated.
To clean your filter, remove it first from the container by undoing the wing nut from underneath. Be careful to grip the filter by the plastic base as it is fragile, especially when wet. Scrape the surface with the back of a knife, green scouring pad or soft brush under running water until the white ceramic material is visible again. This removes contamination and clogging and should be performed every three to four weeks or when the water flow seems reduced. Do not use soap or detergents. Cleaning of your water filter may be required more often if your source is a tank, dam, spring or bore.
Every six months, we recommend that you completely disassemble your system and wash and dry all parts before re-assembling them.
Troubleshooting
IF THE FILTER IS NOT WORKING OR HAS SLOWED DOWN:
1) Your filter may need to be cleaned (see Care Instructions). Water should pass through the ceramic filter at a rate of approximately one litre per hour on town water (tank, bore, dam and spring may be slower depending on the amount of suspended solids).
2) If your gravity filter is 12 months old or has filtered 2000 litres of water, you will need to replace it with a new filter. We recommend you replace the filter with a Royal Doulton Super Sterasyl® or a SCP Fluoride Plus™, both of which are made in England. Other Australian, Chinese and Brazilian gravity filters will fit but are of a lesser quality.
3) Your filter has an air lock. You will need to remove your filter and soak it with the filter nozzle pointing up for a few hours or even overnight in a bucket of water. The ceramic cartridge should be submerged, but the plastic thread should not be in the water. Alternatively, with the filter installed in the container and about half filled with water, hold the container above your head and suck on the filter nozzle from the bottom of the container (spit this water out as it might contain activated carbon and colloidal silver, which may taste unpleasant).
IF THE SYSTEM IS LEAKING WATER:
1) Your tap needs to be tightened. If the water is seeping from the rubber seal where the tap is fitted to the main body of the purifier, then you need to empty the purifier and hold the nut on the inside to tighten the tap by at least one full turn or more clockwise.
2) Your tap is defective. Please contact My Water Filter on 1800 769 300 or via email at customerservice@mywaterfilter.com.au and we will organise a replacement.
IF YOU NOTICE SMALL SPECKS OF CARBON IN THE WATER:
1) You may notice small specks of activated carbon (charcoal powder) in your water when you start using your filter. But don't worry, this material is harmless and will disappear with use. Some manufacturers suggest you discard the first few litres of water.
IF YOU NOTICE A METALLIC TASTE:
1) The metallic taste is only a result of the initial degasification process the media inside the ceramic goes through while being flushed. This taste will dissipate in a few days.
This guide provides a complete overview of the Southern Cross Pottery Gravity Water Filter, covering the simple step-by-step assembly process, care instructions and how the three-stage filtration system works to purify your water.
It outlines essential maintenance, explaining that the ceramic filter cartridge needs to be cleaned every few weeks by gently scraping it under running water and should be replaced entirely after approximately 12 months or 2000 litres of use.
The guide also includes a handy troubleshooting section to help you solve common issues such as a slow water flow (which may require cleaning or removing an airlock), a leaking tap or temporary taste changes and carbon specks from a new filter.
Hear From Our Satisfied Customers
Why Has My Water Filter Suddenly Slowed Down or Stopped Filtering?
There are usually three main reasons for this:
- It needs cleaning: The ceramic surface may be clogged. See the care instructions for how to clean it.
- It needs replacing: If the cartridge is around 12 months old or has filtered 2000 litres, it's likely reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
- It has an airlock: You may need to remove the filter and soak it in water for a few hours (with the nozzle pointing up) to release the trapped air.
How Do I Clean the Ceramic Filter Cartridge, and How Often Should I Do It?
To clean the filter, carefully remove it from the container by undoing the wing nut. Holding it by the plastic base, gently scrape the white ceramic surface with a green scouring pad or the back of a knife under running water until it's clean. Do not use soap or detergents. This should be done every three to four weeks, or whenever you notice the water flow slowing down.
When Do I Need to Replace the Filter Cartridge Completely?
You should replace the cartridge when it has filtered approximately 2000 litres of water, or after about 12 months of use, whichever comes first. After this point, the activated carbon inside becomes saturated and less effective.
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