A whole house filter could be your ultimate go-to solution for purifying raw water from the well. It is a more convenient and cost-saving investment.
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But the buying process becomes challenging when you have to choose from countless options in the market. With over 40 million US households getting their water from wells, it’s important that your well is purifying harmful contaminants that will provide you and your family with fresh clean drinking water. Read through this article to discover some invaluable tips on how to choose the right filtration system for well water and if you want to look at top rated systems, have a look at these well filters.
Is Well Water Safe?
Ideally, we should be taking fresh and clean water from our taps. But this is not always the case. Well water could be the only option in your region. The EPA gauges the source by characterizing impurities ranging from volatile organic compounds, industrial residues, microbiological contaminants, nitrates, radionuclides, and fluoride. Underground water absorbs chlorides, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, etc. from porous rocks. Some pollutants are naturally occurring, e.g. E. coli bacteria and come from human waste, and animal dung, and the soil. These are the contaminants behind weird tastes and smells in well water. They must be filtered before water is put to good use. The best whole house water filter comes in handy to remove the odor and the unpleasant taste that is caused by bacteria. But how is the filtration achieved? It is processed either through a physical barrier or a biological mechanism.
Private wells hardly get the sanitization services from the municipal as the public wells do. So, it is up to the private well owners to protect the consumers of this water. Such households need to understand the potential harm of contamination. For this matter, there has been a rise in the popularity of water filtration systems. Every family demands quality water all the time. The best well water filtration system is extremely useful in removing toxicity.
Useful Guidelines for Choosing the best well water filtration system
Behold the things to consider in finding a filtration method that suits your household.
• Filter Type
Purification systems come with different types of filters. Most filters can remove unpleasant smells and improve the taste. When your household is depending on well water, you want to make sure that your chosen filter can remove heavy metals and excess minerals.
• Flow of water
Is the water system in your supplying enough water that meets daily needs? The flow rate needs to be at least 10—15 gallons per minute if you have to install the best whole house water filtration for wells.
• Cost
In as much as you want to save money, make sure you have the best filtration setup at a reasonable price. Note that the best systems are not cheap. Keep in mind that besides the initial investment cost, you will also pay for filter replacement.
• Storage space
Do you have enough space in your property to accommodate the whole house filtration system? Choose a size that fits your house.
What to Look For in Sediment Filter
A whole-home filter should have a dedicated sediment stage since well water is notoriously high in total dissolved solids. Iron is one of the solids that bring harmful effects to your home. The good news is that companies are specializing in filtration products geared towards filtering sediments. With the right sediment filter, you can rely on well water for drinking rather than bottled water. The unique makeup of your well water should form the basis of choosing the best sediment filter. Run a basic water test to determine the exact sediment percentage. For instance, if the well water has a high sand content and low metal content, you will know what sediment filter to pick depending on its capabilities. Consider these factors.
Micron Ratings
It is best to get a whole-home filter with multiple stages, including the sediment filtration. A high-number micron filter will first stop sediments then the other filters with low ratings will complete the job efficiently. The lower the micron rating number, the more effective the sediment filter is. If you carry out a water test, you get to know the level of the sediments and choose the best micron filter.
Geography
The type of sediments present in your well water has a lot to do with the geographical conditions. So, you cannot buy any sediment filter you find in the market. Once again, perform a water test to know what foreign elements are present in water before purchasing a filtration kit for well water. Some contaminants are trickier to deal with and cannot get off in a single stage. Check the potential of a filter to know what traces of metals, organic compounds, and microorganisms it can remove. The surest bet is a system with a higher micron number followed by other stages.
Filtering Capacity
Sediments are often nasty stuff that can clog up the filter. You need a filter large enough to disperse filth throughout the process. Check the filtering capacity carefully. This is rated in terms of maximum gallon output or time frame. Most sediment filters can serve for months while others a year or so. Go for a filtering capacity that doesn’t require constant changing. Also, consider the daily water consumption rate in your house to ensure that the filter accommodates the usage.
Back-Flushing Feature
You will find a flushable feature in most sediment filters. You are better off with a filter that comprises a spin-down or back-flushing element. Flushing is the process of removing the accumulated grime and sediments from the filter. You can clean the filter by hand, but it gets messy. Remember that incorrect handling can break the filter. But a flushable filter constantly rinses itself off to ensure maximum operating capacity.
Once you select your ideal filter for well water, have a professional install it for you. You don’t want to be bogged down by an intimidating procedure when an expert hand could save you time.