How to Choose Between a Whole House Water Filter and a Water Softener

Water filtering systems remove harmful contaminants in water.

Many people use the terms "water softening system" and "water filtering system" interchangeably, mistakenly believing they are the same. While water softeners remove minerals such as iron and calcium from the water, a water filtering system removes bacteria, pesticides and other environmental contaminants. Which you choose for your home depends on both the contaminants in your water and the desired results from your water treatment system.

Things You'll Need

• Water test kit

Instructions

1. Test your water to determine if it contains harmful bacteria or other contaminants. Contact you local cooperative extension office for a water testing kit. Follow the instruction closely for taking the sample.

2. Evaluate the test results to determine if your water contains contaminants that pose a threat to health and safety. See the Resource section for information on interpreting your water test results, if you're unsure of your water's safety. Typically, water from a public source is free of harmful bacteria and chemicals and is either treated with chlorine or filtered at the source before it arrives at your home. Well water may contain harmful substances.

3. Determine whether your water poses a health risk or simply contains mineral deposits. Minerals, such as iron and calcium, occur naturally and do not pose a health risk, but do cause scale buildup in pipes, stain laundry and create "hard water."

4. Use a water softener if your water is deemed safe for human consumption, but contains annoying mineral deposits that cause "hard" water. Softening the water improves detergent use, leaves hair soft and manageable, and eliminates unsightly scale buildup on bathroom fixtures. Water softener systems do not filter out bacteria or other harmful substances.

5. Select a water filtering system to treat water that contains harmful bacteria, pesticides and other harmful contaminants. Water filtering systems include oxidation filters that remove iron, calcium and hydrogen sulfide -- the cause of a rotten egg odor in water -- neutralizing filters that treat acidic water, and reverse osmosis filters that remove both mineral and biological particles.

Tips & Warnings

• Less soap or detergent is required in soft water. Adjust your laundry detergent as necessary once you install a water softening system.

• Water softening systems raise the level of sodium in the water and may pose a risk for those with high blood pressure.

References

• Utah State University Extension; Drink Water Treatment Systems; Barbara Daniels, et al.; December 2010
• University of Missouri Extension; Understanding Home Water Treatment Systems; June 1995

Resources

• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Interpreting Water Test Report; Kathleen Parrot, et al.; May 1, 2009