Whole-house water filtration
A softener handles hardness. Whole-house filters handle other things. Here's how to tell what you need.
Whole-house filtration treats all the water entering the home, not just one tap. The right setup depends entirely on what's in your water, so a test comes first. On city water, people often add a carbon filter for taste and odor. On a private well, the list of possible issues is longer.
Common whole-house filters
- Sediment filters catch sand and grit, which matters most on wells, and protect the softener and fixtures downstream.
- Carbon filters reduce chlorine taste and odor and some organic compounds.
- Iron and manganese filters for well water that stains fixtures orange or black, since these can foul softener resin.
- Specialty media for specific problems found in a lab test.
Well water around Prescott
Many homes outside the city and town water systems in Yavapai County run on private wells. University of Arizona Extension notes that well owners are responsible for their own water quality and that no law requires a private well to be tested. A lab test tells you whether you're dealing with hardness alone or something more, and keeps you from paying for filters you don't need.
Order of equipment
Where several pieces are used, a sediment filter usually comes first, then specialty filters, then the softener. The company should explain why its layout fits your test results.
Maintenance
Every filter needs cartridge changes, backwashing or media replacement. Ask how often, and what it involves, before you buy.
The water treatment company prices the job after it knows your water, your plumbing and what equipment makes sense. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has tested the water or seen the install spot is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does a softener filter my water?
No. A softener removes hardness minerals. It doesn't remove chlorine taste or sediment, and it isn't meant to treat contaminants.
Should I test my well before buying filters?
Yes. A lab test shows what's actually in the water, so the equipment matches the problem.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Water softener repair
- Water softener replacement
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
More background: Prescott hard water guide.
Spotty glasses, crusty faucets or a softener that quit?
Call now and a local water treatment company will help you figure out what your water needs.