well water filters

[acmikee]

always had city water now I'm on a well
what filters-softeners do you have
I have a kinetico softener w/a salt tank and 2 pentek-ep-20 filters

 

[theoldwizard1]

Typically you will have a sediment filter before the water softener.

Charcoal filters are good for most taste/smell issue. Reverse osmosis is the "gold standard" for drinking water.

 

[ssdave]

Have your water tested, and treat based upon what you're trying to remove. Using a shotgun approach of just treating based on a guess or internet forum advice isn't the most effective approach. But, it can be expensive, and the expense might be better used on treating the water instead.


I would always start with a sediment filter to eliminate solid contaminants if they are present. The only problem with sediment filters is they tend to grow bacteria, so you need to change them monthly or so. If you find that they don't trap anything, you can stop using one.

Real testing for nitrates, arsenic, pesticides and metals is quite expensive. It might be just as well to install a reverse osmosis in your kitchen sink, and use that for any cooking or drinking water. Although that is somewhat of the shotgun approach, it might be cheaper than the testing. Especially if you have taste or appearance issues now that makes you want to treat.

 

[Elginz]

For our licence we have ours tested every year for bacteria, $27. I think the paper had arsenic at about $60. Just call a local lab. A one time test of arsenic, and nitrates would be a good thing to do to know. I have a softener.

 

[mike93lx]

I test every couple years to confirm my arsenic filter and iron breaker are working properly (i test before and after the filters). I also have a softener.

Unsure of brand, personally don't think it matters too much as long as your local well company supports them.

 

[mechanic217]

Have a Morton salt softener , best one I have ever used, very little salt used a year and easy to install.

 

[thammel]

First get a test. If you have a lot of sediment, I suggest a spin-down centrifugal filter. There's a flush tap at the bottom to flush out sediment on a regular basis. Check out Lakos sandmaster. Then you might need an acid neutralizer. Then a softener. Finally a final filter is a good thing to have. I like the Rusco filter - again with a flush tap at the bottom. Use Softener parts.com or qualitywatertreatment.com. The neutralizer uses a calcite mineral bed to neutralize the ph to 7.0. This adds hardness so you then typically put a softener (salt - sodium chloride or potassium chloride) after it.

If you are decent at plumbing all this is pretty easy to do.

Tom

 

[mv213]

If these are the well water filters, I'd hate to see the sick ones! -rimshot-

 

[Zapp Branigan]

Down the line from a sediment filter and water softener, I also have a UV filter for peace of mind and then the charcoal filter faucet at the kitchen sink which rarely gets used.

 

[Falcon67]

X4 or so - from previous experience, get it tested. For everything. Yearly. We are on city but have a well. Water looks good, smells good, tastes decent, Ph 7.5 or so - higher 'n hell in nitrates from fertilizer leaching into the aquifer from farming operations. We use it for pool water and yard only. Won't give it to the dogs and sure won't let the kids drink it.


http://www.wellowner.org/water-quality/water-testing/

 

[Greyhorse]

Have it tested, really depends on where you are and the well. I have no filters of any type, water is clean.

 

[Lootenny]

My well has a ton of soluble iron and iron bacteria in it, and is very hard. Had a softener on a simple timer and used rust remover salt. Used a ton of salt because it was on a timer and not based on demand, and still had iron bacteria. Just switched to a chlorine injection system to sanitize, then a carbon filter to remove the chlorine, then an on-demand softener. I couldn't be happier, water is so much clearer, no funky "well" smell and tastes great. It's really based on your local conditions.

 

[Boilerhouse]

Have it tested, really depends on where you are and the well. I have no filters of any type, water is clean.

Same here - 80 foot drilled well - in use for 50+ years.
Water is clear, smell good, taste good. There are no deposits or build up around the fixtures, no deposits or build up in the kettle.
As a precaution, I have tested it and
No hardness - no softener
No iron - no iron remover
No bacteria - no reverse osmosis, no UV system, no chlorination
No sediment - No sediment filter

 

[rslaback]

Ask your new neighbors.

 

[minytrker]

We have really hard water, I run a big whole house filter that dumps itself and also a water softener. After I installed all that my parents and brother went and got the same setup. It makes a HUGE difference in our water. I still test our water about once a year to make sure I don't need to adjust any of the settings.

 

[MagKarl]

There is a lot of good DIY info out there, once you know what you're treating you can select components, testing supplies, and build/install yourself. I got a few local quotes and put together a much more complete system myself for a fraction of the cost.

Here's a good forum to get you started. Go to the "Softener" subforum.
http://www.terrylove.com/forums/index.php