A whole house water filter system is a treatment and purification system that cleanses water flowing into your home through your main water line and therefore gets rid of all the contaminants that could be in your homes water supply ensuring purified water throughout all water faucets.
Having the best whole house filtration system is therefore very crucial is achieving this. These water purification systems are supposed to be fitted with filters that will achieve the best results in terms of purification.
Last updated: 10/6/20
Table of Contents
- 1 See Our Top 7 Best Whole House Water Filter Reviews & Ratings:
- 1.1 #1. SpringWell – The Best Whole House Filter System For The Money
- 1.2 #2. Aquasana 10-Year Gallon Best Whole House Filter
- 1.3 #3. iSpring WGBB32B 3-stage Filtration System
- 1.4 #4. APEC Top Tier Supreme Water Filter System
- 1.5 #5. iSpring 6-Stage Water Filter System
- 1.6 #6. Express Water Whole House Filter- 3 Stage
- 1.7 #7. Woder Water 10K-Gen 3 Ultra Capacity Direct Connect
- 1.8 #8. 3M Aqua-Pure Filtration System
- 2 Buyer’s guide to whole house water filter systems
- 3 What to look for in a Whole Home Water Filtration System
- 4 Types of Water Filter for Home
- 5 What to Look for In a Whole House Water Filter
- 6 Types of Common Contaminants
- 7 Why is a Filtration System a Necessity?
- 8 Do I Need a Filtration System?
- 9 How Much Does it Cost to Install Water Treatment Systems?
- 10 How to Install a Filtration system
- 11 How to Filter Well Water
- 12 How do Contaminants get in My Well Water?
See Our Top 7 Best Whole House Water Filter Reviews & Ratings:
#1. SpringWell – The Best Whole House Filter System For The Money
This is a low-maintenance system that filters up to 1,000,000 gallons without any loss in water pressure and is considered very effective utilizing 4 stages of filtration.
It comes backed by an industry-leading 6-month money back guarantee. It’s made in America and ships the same day!
Springwell uses the best quality catalytic coconut shell carbon and certified kdf media to target and safely remove harmful contaminants such as: PFOA, PFAS PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Pesticides, Herbicides, Haloacetic acids, etc..
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Use Coupon Code: CLIMATE5
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Use Coupon Code: CLIMATE5
#2. Aquasana 10-Year Gallon Best Whole House Filter
This is a low-maintenance unit having 100,000 gallon water filtration system and is considered very effective. It helps remove about 97% chlorine in water, to give you water fit for consumption. This Whole house filter system also works as a natural salt-free softener to help do away with any salt residue that may lead to build up in the internal pipes. It does this without the use of any chemicals. It removes 99.99% of bacteria and viruses using powerful UV starlight water filtration system to give you total protection from bacteria.
Features:
- Pro grade install kit
- Brass fittings for 0.75 ft. pipe
- Filtration tank
- 20 inch pre-filter
- Sub-micron post filter
- Shut off valves
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: How often should the cartridges be changed?
A: The big blue cartridge should be changed when you hit 1,000,000 gals. The white fiber filter on the other hand should be changed once a month.
Q: How many bathrooms can be accommodated by this unit?
A: This filter is able to accommodate any given number of bathrooms since its life is measured in gallons. However, the more you use it the quicker it gets to the 1 million gallon limit. It gets to a point whereby the capacity of the filter gets totally diminished.
Q: Does this particular filter provide any filtration for Arsenic?
A: This particular unit was tested and designed for the filtration and reduction of Chlorine. Arsenic and other heavy metals are therefore likely to pass through it. The recommended unit that is certified for Arsenic reduction is the Aquasana Reverse Osmosis Unit.
Verdict
Even though this filter cannot be used to filter heavy metals such as arsenic, it is still very convenient. It has filters that are efficient and can easily filter out chlorine to give you purified water. This unit also works best with whatever number of bathrooms you may be having, which is yet another plus. You however have to be careful not to get to appoint where the capacity of the filters diminish. It is therefore highly recommended.
#3. iSpring WGBB32B 3-stage Filtration System
This filter unit which is equipped with 1 inch outlet has a three gradient filtration system. It removes chlorine, rust, herbicide, sediment, pesticides, industrial solvents and other contaminants from water. It keeps the minerals in the water healthy, since it does not reduce the Total Dissolved Solids present in the water. With this filter system, you get to enjoy purified water from all the appliances and water outlets in the house. This is because it is installed at the main water supply to treat all the water you need to use. In the first stage of filtration, high capacity polypropylene sediment is filtered down to 5 microns. This is done to remove dirt and large sized particles that may clog the subsequent filters. In the 2nd and 3rd stages however, maximum filtration is achieve using coconut shell and CTO carbon filters.
Features
- 20 inches by 4.5 inches filter cartridges
- Filters with a capacity of 100,000 gallons of water
- Black metal bracket
- Three filter cartridges
- Three big blue housings with caps
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: Do I still need to install a water softener even with all this whole house filter system if my water is very hard?
A: Yes, water softener is indeed needed if your water has high levels of hardness. The hardness levels are those with TDS above 700 PPM. The harder water is dangerous since it reduces the lifespan of the filter cartridges by getting them clogged.
Q: How is this filter system attached to inlets?
A: It has an in and out 1 inch pipe thread fitting.
Q: What is the general flow rate that I should look for?
A: Your water flow rate requirements may range from 5-40 GDM. This range depends on the size of your house and the amount of available water.
Verdict
This filter is actually one of the best whole house filter systems in the market. This is because it can remove 95% of the contaminants, compared to what a normal filter can do. However, it does not really get to soften your water. I therefore recommend that you install this filter after your water softener in order to achieve the best possible results. It works best for flow rates ranging between 5-40 GDM.
#4. APEC Top Tier Supreme Water Filter System
This High Performance Drinking Water System is fitted with high capacity filters that last twice as long in comparison with others. It provides contamination free water that is very pure because it has a 100% Lead-free chrome faucet. It removes 99% of the contaminants in water including heavy metals, chloride, lead, fluoride, lead, arsenic inclusive of more than 100 other contaminants. It comes with the highest grade of a 5-stage ultra-pure filter system that leaves your water with a crisp pure taste. The water is thus guaranteed safe for the good of your health.
Features:
5 stage ultra pre-filter system
1st stage:
- Has high capacity and high grade polypropylene filter
- Removes particles, rust and dust
- Ensures protection of the membrane system and extends its life too
2nd and 3rd stage:
- Has a carbon extruded block
- Removes unpleasant tastes, chlorine, colors and cloudiness
- Removes VOC and other common chemicals from water
4th stage:
- Has the highest quality, high rejection TFC reverse osmosis membrane
- Removes 99% of the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and contaminants such as a lead, arsenic, radium, viruses, fluoride, chromium, bacteria and much more.
5th stage:
- Has advanced coconut shell refining carbon
- Has Total Contamination Removal Filter (TCR) to remove any residual taste from the tank
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: How often should the filters be replaced and how much does it cost?
A: This system comes with 5 stage filters. The first 3 filters which constitute pre-filters will cost you $39 to replace, and should be replaced once a year. On the other hand, replacing the 5 stage filters together will cost you $119. The whole complete filter replacement should be done after every 3-5 years.
Q: Does this system require professional installation?
A: Not really. This system actually come with clear DIY (do it yourself) manual instructions, hence you won’t need any professional help whatsoever. Many of the customers who have bought it have been able to install it by themselves. We have even uploaded a video on YouTube for you to help ease the installation. However, if you still have difficulties installing, you can always get a local plumber to help out.
Q: It is written in the description that this filter removes fluoride. Has anyone tasted the fluoride levels in their water after filtering?
A: this filter system removes fluoride at 97.7%. It has even been tested under the Water Quality Association to approve this. You can therefore be rest assured that the membrane will remove fluoride within a range of 90-97%.
Verdict:
This water filter system is high performance and efficient. It comes with a 5-stage filter system that ensures that your water is pure at the end of the filtration process to give it a crisp pure taste. Replacing all the 5 stage filters all at once, after every 3-5 years is a better option and cost-effective as opposed to replacing only the 3 stage filters after every year. Another advantage is that it comes with a manual that enables you to do easy DIY installation. The 5-stage filtration system also removes 97.7% of fluoride and other contaminants from your water to give you very pure water.
#5. iSpring 6-Stage Water Filter System
This system offers high capacity reverse osmosis water filtration model leaving your water a lot safer and healthier. It is mounted under the sink to remove 99% of over 1000 contaminants including fluoride, asbestos, sodium, bacteria, hormones, lead and much more. It actually eliminates 98% of lead from your water leaving you with safe, good-tasting clean water.
The feed water pressure ranges from 45-70 psi. It comes with a 6-stage layered filtered system. GAC and CTO filters in the 2nd and 3rd stage give extra layers of protection against other harmful chemicals. The first 5 stage RO system provides water that is acidic with a PH of 7.0 and below. The additional 6th stage is an Alkaline Remineralization filter which produces a balanced alkalinity and restoration of healthy minerals. This gives water a more natural taste than the 5 stage RO filter system.
Features:
- Quick fitting connectors and lock
- 75 gallon capacity RO membrane
- Standard-sized replacement filters
- Lead-free solid brass faucet
- Fine GAC filter to provide final polishing before the purified water is delivered to the faucet
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: Where can one get the replacement filter? And are they long-lasting?
A: There are quite a number of online sources that sell RO filter systems. You can get multiple options on amazon. Also, depending on your usage, you can go much longer with the filters.
Q: What is the size of the hole required for the faucet?
A: Ensure you use a drill bit which is ½ inch. If you use anything bigger, you will end up with a giant hole on your counter top.
Q: What does this system mean? “For each gallon of clean water, only 2 gallons of water are wasted”?
A: There is a line that directly connects the system to the drain pipe under the sink. The 2 wasted gallons therefore go down the drain. This is quite uneconomical in terms of water usage. It is thus more efficient to have the whole house supplied with a single tap of purified water to avoid wastage.
Verdict:
First, the rate of replacement and durability of your filters highly depends on your usage. You can use them for such a long time without replacing. Also, you can search online for a number of filters being sold, if you’re interested in buying. You need to be careful about the size of the drill hole you use to drill a hole for the faucet to avoid damaging your counter top. Lastly, you can think of ways of avoiding wastage of water by using fewer taps, for instance.
#6. Express Water Whole House Filter- 3 Stage
This Whole House Filtration System comes with a 3 stage filter system that removes contaminants from your water supply. It removes pesticides, sand, dirt, chloride, silt, herbicides, Total Organic Compounds (TOC) among other contaminants. It is durable and heavy duty to provide 0.25 gallons of water per second. Each filter is efficient for the 100,000 gallons for 6-12 months. You can thus prevent your plants from rust and other damaging sediments. The system can be used in dry level areas to be protected from direct sunlight and freezing temperatures. It works with 45-80 psi and temperatures ranging from 40-100o F.
Features
- Pressure gauges for system maintenance
- 3 pressure release buttons for each filter
- Stainless steel freestanding frame for easy installation
- Full filter set including 1st stage, 2nd stage and 3rd stage filter systems
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: Does this system work efficiently for well water?
A: It sure does. Actually, it works to deal with sand problems and waters having slight sulphur smell. It removes all this to give you purified water for your consumption. This sand will be removed using the 1st stage filter whereas the sulphur odor is removed using the 3rd stage carbon filter.
Q: Will I need a storage tank for this system?
A: No, this is an in-line filtration system
Q: What is the maximum flow rate in gallons per minute and the pressure drop across this system?
A: The above factors majorly depend on the pipe installation, size and the type of filters being used. You should however not use filters smaller than ¾ inch supply. If you want the best flow with less fittings and elbows, then you can use pex. The minimum pressure should be between 5-1- GPM.
Verdict:
This filtration system provides solutions for a variety of your applications in the house. It has a 3 stage filter system that can remove both sand and odors from the water. For this reason, it can be used for well water. You do not need a storage tank for this system since it is an in-line filtration system. The pipe installation and size, together with the type of filters used mainly determine the system’s maximum flow rate.
#7. Woder Water 10K-Gen 3 Ultra Capacity Direct Connect
This system offers one of the best whole house water filter units. It comes with a selective filtration unique technology that removes 99.99% of contaminants from your water. It eliminates chlorine (99.99%), heavy metals, mercury, lead (99.9%), carcinogens, volatile organic compounds and other contaminants. It also removes odors, bad taste and turbidity. This filter should be used with water treated drinking water that has been disinfected before use. You do not need to put any bottles in the fridge since this system will give you healthy and pure water.
Features
- Standard 3/8 inch water valves that directly connect to the hoses
- Water filters built with materials tested by the Independent Laboratories of American National Standards Institute and approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: What particles and chemicals does this system filter? Is Trihalomethane included?
A: This system which is often fitted under the sink, works best to remove chlorine (99.99%), heavy metals, contaminants (99%) and lead. It also removes Mercury, turbidity and Asbestos. So no, unfortunately it doesn’t remove Trihalomethane.
Q: Can this filter be used to supply two sinks in a bathroom?
A: Yes, you can use it for two sinks if you can get an adapter that allows two supply and 2 discharge line feeds. One will be for the supply side and the other will be for the discharge side.
Q: Is the filter made of BPA plastic?
A: This system is made with NSF42. Bisphenol A is not so important because it is altered. You should make sure that your fittings are BPA free.
Verdict:
This filtration system works best to remove 99.99% of contaminations that may be a nuisance in your household. Much as this is the case, not all the particles and chemicals are included. A positive fact though, is the fact that it can be used to supply more than one sink in the bathroom provided the right adapter is used.
#8. 3M Aqua-Pure Filtration System
This whole house water filter system provides a flow rate of 20 gallons per minute (gpm). This is approximately 75.7 liters of filtered water per minute. It is mostly suitable for light commercial applications and large homes. It has no contacts and tools for filter materials and therefore uses cartridges. All the materials used in this filtration system are FDA CFR -21 compliant.
Features:
- Stainless steel head that is non-corrosive for installation
- Carbon filters to reduce odor and chlorine taste
- Cartridges with easy twist off replacement
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Customer Questions and Answers
Q: What material are the cartridges made of? Does this filter housing system have cold and hot tolerance and does a hot attic affect it?
A: This filter housing is plastic with a metal head unit. The good thing is that the attic really does not get to affect the system.
Q: Does this system remove the taste and smell of sulphur in water?
A: Yes, this filter unit has very effective filters that can remove both the smell and taste of sulphur.
Q: How can you ascertain when the filter needs to be changed?
A: The need to change the filter is often necessitated by the sediment build up. One main indicator of this is often a fall in the water pressure.
Verdict:
This filter system is made up of plastic with a metallic head unit. It’s advantageous because the attic’s temperature does not affect it. Sediment build up can lead to a fall in pressure which may require the filters to be changed.
Conclusion
Whole house water filtration systems offer the best water purification systems that will work to ensure that you are left with clean purified water. They use unique technologies that work to eliminate 99.99% of the contaminants. Most of the water treatment systems do the filtration of water using stage layered systems. Each of these layers is specially designed to remove specific contaminant based on the filter size. These systems come in different capacities measured in gallons. There are a number of things to look out for when buying a unit of a water treatment system. The above review will definitely help you choose the best system that works best to meet your needs.
Buyer’s guide to whole house water filter systems
If you are considering getting a whole house water filtration system, remember that not all households will need the same type of system. Depending on what is in your water, you will need specific filters to remove those elements to make your water clean and tasting good. Filters can also be influenced by the absence or presence of other filters in the system. Here are a few tips on what to keep in mind as you shop for the best whole house water filter system.
What is a Whole House Water Filtration System?
Water filtrations systems are created to remove heavy metals, rust, sand, dirt, and sediment from your water. Not only will the filter system reduce the chlorine odor and bad taste effectively, but it will also reduce the harm that can be done to your household appliances by these contaminants entering their systems through a water line.
The best whole house water filter system will also filter larger amounts of water than a regular home water filter will. This is especially helpful if you live in a large household.
How Does the Best Whole Home Water Filter Work?
Even though there may be different ways that water purification systems filter out the contaminants in your water, the basic principle stays the same. All the water that enters the home goes through a filter that you attach to the main water line to catch the water before it enters your water heater. As it enters the filtration system, the water will first enter through a sediment pre-filter that is specifically created to take out large elements in the water such as sediment, debris, rust, sand, and silt. Having this filter also allows the next filters in the system the ability to function for longer periods of time requiring fewer changes.
Next, water is sent through an activated carbon filter which is one of the more important parts of the entire filtering process as it plays a vital role when removing many of the contaminants. The activated carbon filter features a large porous surface that is lined with small little nooks that the contaminants are attracted to. This natural process is called adsorption. This is a very effective filter that will take out almost all of the chlorine, all volatile organic compounds, any remaining sediments, and any other bad tastes and smells from your water. Many activated carbon filters are treated with certain substances to give the filter different properties like placing a little silver in the carbon filter to provide an antibacterial property.
After passing through the carbon filter, it will next pass through a mineral and copper-zinc filter that is another important step in the filtering process. This next filter will take out most of the remaining contaminants like microorganisms, bacteria, heavy metals, and chlorine. It can also help get rid of any scale in the water as well.
Many water purification systems also include an optional step that includes a descaler or water softener. Many manufacturers will use ion-exchange technology to do this requiring the water to go through an ion-exchange filter where it passes over some resin beads. Filled with sodium ions, these beads will replace any calcium and magnesium particles that it encounters making the water softer and a little salty. When the magnesium and calcium particles encounter the ion-filled beads, they are replaced with sodium ions. This will make the water softer, but it will also make it a bit salty. There are also some manufacturers that use a salt-free water softener for those that prefer to maintain the water’s neutral taste.
An additional step that is more common than a water softener is the post-filter. To produce high-quality water, the post-filter plays an important part in the filtering system by stopping the smaller particles that have survived so far in the filtering process. You will notice that this filter is full of mesh holes that are tiny. Many of the measure one micron with a few measuring as small as 0.35 microns. Another optional step is using a UV filter that will kill any remaining microorganism, virus, or bacteria that has escaped through all of the previous filters. If you have a high bacterial count in your water, that using a UV filter will take care of that issue.
What to look for in a Whole Home Water Filtration System
i) What to look out for when selecting a Whole House Filtration Unit
*Filters: Different filters are often designed to block out different contaminants. You should buy a unit which will be effective on the contaminants present in your water, based on your water test results.
*Water Flow: Different amounts of water are produced each minute with different types of water treatment systems. The amount of water reaching the showers, faucets, toilets and appliances will therefore be the same since all of it is being filtered.
ii) Factors that determine the Type of Whole House Filtration System to be acquired
*Consumption: You should consider your household’s water consumption. Say for instance, you went for a cheaper filter and your household uses a lot of water, then this means that you might be forced to be changing them more often. This will end up being expensive in the long run, compared to the expensive ones of fewer changes. You need to strike a balance between your household’s consumption and the filter’s longevity.
*Microns: You need to choose the right micron rating for your filters. Filters that will block part particles larger than 0.35 microns are actually the best. There are even some more expensive ones that block particles larger than 1 micron. You get to choose the one that works best for you.
*Filter Longevity: This is an important feature, since most filters need to be maintained well. Not all filters have the same longevity. Based on your household water consumption, you need to look for a filter that offers good longevity.
Types of Water Filter for Home
Be sure to first do water test results and determine the water consumption needs of your household before buying a water filter for home.
Long-lasting Water Filter
Most of the filter systems require very little maintenance so having a filter that can last a long time is important. Changing the water filter is needed periodically with some requiring a change after 100,000 gallons of water and other after 1,000,000 gallons. If you have a household that uses water at a fast pace, you should go for the filter that will last longer.
Consumption
Don’t fall for the cheaper filters. This is especially important if your family consumes water quickly, you may be changing it once a month making that cheap filter choice more expensive. You will have fewer filter changes when using a more expensive filter, but if your family doesn’t use water as quickly, that long-lasting filter can start to get clogged and not work as well. It is important to figure out a good balance between the filter with your household water consumption to make sure you purchase the right filter. Depending on your household water needs and consumption, you should choose a filter that offers a good longevity and a decent price.
You water testing results will help you choose the right micron rating for your filter with the best filters available blocking anything bigger than 0.35 microns. This is, of course, one of the more expensive filters you can purchase with the average filter only able to block particles larger than 1 micron. Remember that a micron is only a thousandth of a millimeter, so that is a very small size, so a filter that can block up to a 0.35-micron filter might be more than you need.
What to Look for In a Whole House Water Filter
Water Flow
Depending on the filter system that you choose, you will get different amounts of filtered water every minute. Remember that with this type of system, all the water coming into your house through the toilets, appliances, showers, and faucets will be filtered. This means if you have a small household, you may only need a water filter system that can produce about ten gallons of water every minute, so a larger system will be too much. A larger household will need more than ten gallons per minute, so it is important to know your water needs so you can make sure you water filtering system can produce a good flow of water.
Filters
Depending on the contaminant you have, you will need a different filtration system than other households. A water test will tell you what the best water filter will be the most effective for the contaminants that have been found in your water. You can use a regular copper-zinc mineral filter if you have a high level of heavy metal contaminants, but if you have a lot of bacterial contamination, you will need a UV filter.
Types of Common Contaminants
Sediment
These are usually particles that are visible in the water and can be strained out mechanically. Sediment can include sand, rust, dust, and dirt and if you have a lot of sediment, it’s a good idea for it to go through a multiple stage filtrations system. Also, consider using a reusable filter as disposable filters are better for water supplies that have less sediment.
Chemicals – Carbon filtration will remove most chemical contaminants with chlorine being the most common chemical disinfectant that is found in normal city water supplies.
Iron – Ferrous and Ferric are the two types of iron that are found in water supplies. A sediment filter is the best water filter to remove rust and red water iron particles while clear water iron needs to be removed with an ion exchange or oxidation.
Flow rate
The flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The flow rate is determined by the amount of water that is available to run your toilet, dishwasher, shower, and hot water heater. You can calculate your flow rate by looking at the demand ratings that are printed on your toilet and appliances. A normal showerhead has a flow rate between 2.5 to 5 gpm and a toilet has 5 gpm. A family’s water flow rate requirement can range anywhere from 15 to 40 gpm. You will need a flow rate of at least 10 gpms for a whole house filter system to keep a comfortable and uninterrupted amount of water pressure during your peak use time.
Filter Size
One rule of thumb is that the bigger the house water filter is the longer your service interval will last, plus the more water that will flow through it at greater pressure. The perfect filter size for most households is 4.5″ x 20″ while larger household may need a 25 gpm flow rate.
Filter Life
The life of a sediment filter will depend on the quality and quantity of the sediment. With a nice quality carbon filter, you can get through 100,000 – 150,000 gallons from a typical city water supply. If you have a stand-alone carbon filter with carbon beds instead of a carbon filter, it will last a lot longer but only if they use a regular backwash cycle and a backwashing valve.
Port Size
The perfect size port for a water filter is one inch. A one-inch port system will still work even if the house has ¾ inch piping since it will not create any bottlenecks. The average water filter with a one-inch port and a 4.5″ x 20″ filter will be able to carry more than enough water so that you will have practically no pressure drops.
Why is a Filtration System a Necessity?
Whole house water treatment systems are usually used by those that have a water quality issue. You may be connected to the city water line, but that doesn’t mean your water is drinkable especially if you can tell if it has been chlorinated. Used for decades, chlorine is used as a water disinfectant by water treatment facilities and many people are so used to having it in their drinking water that it tastes strange if it was removed.
Although it is a good disinfectant for removing bacteria and microorganisms from water, chlorine can be bad for you and can be dangerous to your health if consumed in large quantities. Chlorinated water can also adversely affect your hair giving it a dull quality and your skin can become really dried out. Instead of buying bottled water or using other types of filters, a filtration system is actually an environmentally-friendly move, plus it won’t produce wastewater like other filtration systems so all the water that enters your filter comes out in the same quantity.
As you purchase bottled water, your carbon footprint actually gets bigger since not all used plastic gets recycled, so the less you buy the better it is for the environment. Plus, since bottled water is often produced in one area of the country but used in another, the transportation of water also helps to increases the bottled water’s carbon footprint.
Do I Need a Filtration System?
The water your drink can always be better whether it is coming from a well or the city water supply. To see exactly what is in your water, do a water test to see if you find any of the following:
- Odd smells or taste
- Chlorine
- High bacterial contamination
- Cloudy or small particles floating in it
Any of these findings indicate that you should be using a whole house water treatment system.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Water Treatment Systems?
The best water filtration system can have a large effect on your family’s overall happiness and health. If you live somewhere that doesn’t have pure water naturally, a filtration system is a good option. You will find many different types of filtration systems all with differing features. This also means several different price points. When you are looking at different water filter systems, you need to consider how much water you use each day and how clean you expect it to be. You will find that most water filtration systems will range between $50 on the low end and up to $400 for the higher priced systems.
How to Install a Filtration system
You can easily install a filtration system if you are experienced with DIY projects. Here are the steps:
- After turning off the main water supply, drain the system.
- Choose a location for the filter that you can reach comfortably since you will be changing the filters periodically and mark it.
- Use a pipe cutter to cut the pipe.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the compression nut and the brass or plastic making sure to use Teflon tape on the fittings
- Make sure the in and out ports are facing the correct direction as you install the filter.
- Before turning on the main water supply, turn the filter’s inlet valve off. If you don’t see any leaks, turn on the inlet valve checking for leaks again.
Remember, before changing the filter after the initial installation is complete, turn off the inlet valve and use a wrench to remove the cartridge filter.
How to Filter Well Water
You may be wondering what your options are to filter your water if your home doesn’t connect to the city water supply. Many homeowners enjoy the level of protection they get when they install a filtration system. Most homeowners are interested in improving the clarity and taste of their water while removing contaminants and a well water filter is a good option.
When you are concerned about your well water supply, you may be targeting different impurities than homeowners that are connected to a city water supply. Doing a water test will tell you if you have certain pollutants like bacteria, volatile organic chemicals pesticides, viruses, and inorganic chemicals that require specific filtration components like a UV filter or a sub-micron post-filter. Removing these contaminants can help your family stay safer and avoid sickness or diseases related to the pollutants.
What does a Filtration System Remove from Well Water?
Foul Odors
There is often a distinctive rotten egg smell to well water that is actually a contaminate called hydrogen sulfide that naturally exits in groundwater but isn’t something that will cause problems with your family’s health. Use an activated carbon filter to absorb the odor-causing chemicals that give off that unpleasant smell that is created from hydrogen sulfide.
Even though it is considered to be harmless, the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your well water there are some reports that side effects and adverse symptoms to a higher concentration. Symptoms can include headaches and asthma that are minor to more serious health issues like a respiratory tract irritation or even death.
Bacteria and Parasites
Well water also increases your chance of consuming parasites and bacteria which can cause minor issues but they can also be associated with more serious health problems like malaise, abdominal cramps, chills, diarrhea, headaches, fever, and vomiting that are linked to the cysts Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Using a UV filter along with a sub-micron post-filter will get rid of these parasites and bacteria and reduce the sediment and organic particles and are highly recommended to homeowners who use well water.
How do Contaminants get in My Well Water?
Depending on the design, age, and installation of your well, you may be more susceptible to contaminants than you are aware. Generally, groundwater is safe to consume will the overlying soil which acts as a filter to stop disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia and Cryptosporidium from getting into your water supply. Make sure to test your well water each year and install a whole house water filter to make sure your family is safe from pollutants in your well water. and Giardia from entering your water supply.
How to Filter Well Water
It is easy to install individual filters in the bathroom and kitchen to get rid of unwanted substances in your water. You can also choose to use a well water filter which is one seamless unit instead of all the individual filters. These units are normally attached to a pressurized holding tank under your house for well water and are also called the point-of-entry system.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse osmosis technology should be included in a filtration system for well water. This technology uses a thin membrane filter that will employ pressure that is in excess of osmotic pressure to a solvent to force it from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration. Commonly used to separate salt water from pure water, this method can also be used with the other filters to create a salt and sediment free drinking water. This technology is best when used along with an activated carbon filter that will take out sediment that can damage the thin membrane of a reverse osmosis filter’s thin membrane. The delicate pores found in many reverse osmosis filters allows you to even use collected storm water in your home after it has been properly treated.
Aeration Filters
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly option to your well water issues, check into a well water aerator system. A well water aerator tank will be able to take out carbon dioxide, methane, and radon from your water which can affect its taste and smell. This process also takes out manganese and iron through precipitation and is effective at removing a lot of common industrial solvents.
Using the process of passing air through water and then venting out the air, aeration forces contaminated compounds and dissolved gases to be released from the water. This method ensures that the contaminants that are released from the water are also being vented out with the air. The aeration process also raises the pH level of water to make it safer and less acidic for you to consume.
Our Final Thoughts:
If you are concerned about the water your family is drinking, a whole house water filtration system is the perfect way to clean up your water and get rid of the contaminants and particles that can get into your well water or the chemicals that may exist from the city water supply. Not only can the best water filtration system help make your water cleaner and better smelling, it can also ensure that your family is healthier and not exposed to bacteria and parasites that can find their way into a water supply.