How to Buy a Whole House Water Filter & Softener System
When shopping for a whole-house water filter and softener system, consumers should keep in mind that water filtration and water softening systems for the home perform different, but complementary processes.
Softeners remove or replace the dissolved minerals making water "hard." They do not kill disease-carrying organisms or remove chemical contaminants. Filters remove any particles larger than the filter sieve. Small sieve filters (micro-filters and reverse osmosis filters) will remove hardness and contaminants. Unfortunately, all but the most expensive systems will also restrict water flow.
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Instructions
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Buying a Whole House Water Filter & Softener System
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Take a sample of your water to a local water laboratory. (Your municipal or county water utility should have a laboratory or be able to recommend a reputable laboratory in your area.) You will want to know the water hardness (calcium and total hardness in parts per million or ppm) and if there are any organic or chemical contaminants.
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Purchase a charcoal filtered pitcher (Brita for example) if your water tests show soft (less than 17.1 ppm total hardness) and no contaminants. This provide better tasting drinking and cooking water, but a more expensive system is not needed.
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Contact a local water softener service if your water tests as safe (no contaminants) but hard (greater than 17 ppm total hardness). Choose a system which will reduce your total water hardness to below 50 ppm and can handle your peak demand. Add a supplemental filter (either faucet-mounted or under the sink) with activated charcoal at your kitchen sink for better tasting drinking and cooking water. Your softened water will be adequate for bathing, laundry and toilet uses.
If Additional Treatment is Required . . .
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Contact a local water treatment service if your water test indicates waterborne pathogens (disease-carrying organisms) or other contaminants making the water unsafe for drinking. A water softener alone will not address these problems.
The size of the contaminant will determine the level of filtration required. The rule of thumb is the higher the level of filtration needed, the more expensive the system will be to install and maintain.Micro-filters and reverse osmosis filters will remove microscopic particles, taking bacteria, virus and even colloidal metals out of the water. These systems also reduce the water available as the processes are slow. The choices the buyer faces are: low flow of pure water or multiple filters at higher cost, but allowing more water flow. This is where the peak-demand estimate will drive the size of filtration system.
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Do not buy a filter system which stops more than is required to make your water safe as filtration is more expensive per gallon than simple softening. If the contaminants are removed by a filter which leaves some hardness, add a softener to reduce hardness and aid in laundry and bathing and add a sink mounted charcoal filter for drinking and cooking water.
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Purchase a whole house ultra-filtration or reverse osmosis system only if the contaminants are such that this is your best choice. This will be the most expensive option. Do not add a softener system after ultra-filtration as this level of filtration produces soft water as well as safe water.
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Tips & Warnings
When choosing a water softener, take family health concerns into consideration. Many water softeners replace mineral ions with salt ions. If a family member has a sodium limit, look into potassium or non-salt softeners that may cost more, but reduce health risks.
