Well Water Filtration is a Necessity For Many But Don't Stop There If You Want it to Taste Good Too

Well water filtration is a necessity for many homeowners. Your concern could be clay, salt, bacteria or chemicals. Whatever the problem, there is a solution.

Particle filters are the solution for clay and dirt. The sizes of the particles that can be removed with the filters vary. The label should indicate the size. For example, a 5 micron-sized filter will remove particles of sand and silt. One that is certified to filter down to one micron will remove cysts.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Cysts are a problem in many rural areas, due to farm runoff, particularly at certain times of the year. They cause waterborne illnesses similar to food poisoning, which can sometimes be very serious. One of the more recent outbreaks was in Colorado. No one died, but thousands became ill.

The biggest risk is to infants and those with weakened immune systems. For those at-risk individuals, the illness can be deadly.

There are a couple of options for salt reduction. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are two. Reverse osmosis is expensive, but may be effective if the filtering membranes are kept in good working order.

Ion exchange is a recent addition to well water filtration technology. It works by exchanging ions of one material with that of another. For example, it can be used to trap lead and exchange it for potassium.

For most kinds of bacteria, viruses and other germs, a disinfection step is needed. UV disinfection is generally safer than chemical disinfection, but the cost is higher. Unfortunately, many people still choose chlorine, chloramines, bromate or some other kind of disinfectant.

The biggest complaint with chemical disinfectants is that they spoil the taste. The solution is to use a faucet filter that includes granular carbon or a solid carbon block. The solid block is most effective.

It is a good choice for anyone using standard well water filtration, because it can remove smaller particles not trapped by the regular particle filters. At the same time, it removes disinfectants. With this kind of complete system, you have water to drink or for making beverages. You can be sure that it is free of microscopic organisms and microscopic particles, while still enjoying the taste.

Granular carbon and other filtering media are necessary for chemical reduction. Otherwise it is impossible to filter out chemicals, even with an expensive reverse osmosis system.

Even if you do have well water filtration that includes reverse osmosis, you still need a step or two for chemical removal. The best choice in terms of effectiveness is one that attaches to the kitchen faucet.

Prices vary according to the type of step you choose and the number of steps included in the system. It is not unusual to pay thousands of dollars for a complete system. It really depends on the contaminants present in your well.

Because of that, testing is a good idea. Testing can be expensive. There is a separate test for each kind of contaminant, and laboratories charge accordingly.

Whatever well water filtration system you choose, it is still a good idea to install another filter on your kitchen tap. It is simply the safest choice.

Well Water Filtration is a Necessity For Many But Don't Stop There If You Want it to Taste Good Too

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS