Well Water Filtration: The Complete Buyer’s Guide
Most wells have more than one issue. The right approach is a **whole‑house foundation** (to protect every tap) plus a **drinking‑water polish** at the kitchen. Use this guide to jump to your priority—iron, sulfur odor, hardness, microbes, or all of the above—and then click through to **verified, working product pages** on WaterSoftenerPlus.com.
Water Softener Sizing Chart RO Sizing Calculator HTML Product Sitemap
Whole‑House Well Water Filtration Systems (POE)
“Whole‑house” (point‑of‑entry, or POE) systems treat water **as it enters the home**—protecting showers, laundry, appliances, and plumbing. Think of it as your master filter train. The typical well stack is:
- Sediment prefilter to catch sand/silt and protect everything downstream → Pentek Big Blue (10″/20″).
- Iron & odor treatment for Fe/Mn and H2S → Iron & Sulfur AIO.
- Carbon to polish taste/odor and catch organics → Catalytic Coconut‑Shell Carbon.
- Softener to remove hardness → High‑Efficiency Softener.
- UV (optional but recommended) as a microbial safety net → VIQUA UV Systems.
Then add a **reverse osmosis (RO)** system at the kitchen for drinking/ice: 5‑Stage RO, 50 GPD or browse the under‑sink RO collection.
Well Water Softeners (Hardness Control)
Hardness (calcium & magnesium) shows up as spotting, scale on fixtures, and white film on glassware. A metered softener exchanges hardness ions for sodium (or potassium) and regenerates only when needed—saving salt and water.
- High‑Efficiency Softener — popular whole‑home package.
- Use the Softener Sizing Chart to match grain capacity to your household.
On wells with iron: handle iron **before** the softener (AIO or catalytic iron media). Raw iron will foul resin and shorten softener life.
Iron Removal Filters for Well Water
Iron is the classic well complaint—orange stains, metallic taste, and clogged aerators. The most reliable fix is **oxidation + filtration** with an air‑injection (AIO) system.
Fix Iron with Iron & Sulfur AIO Add a Big Blue Prefilter
- Ferrous (clear‑water) iron is dissolved; AIO oxidizes it so media can filter it out.
- Ferric (red) iron is already particulate; prefilter helps, AIO finishes the job.
- For **manganese** or **stubborn Fe**, catalytic media (e.g., Katalox) and proper backwash rates are key.
Sulfur Removal Filters (H2S “Rotten‑Egg” Smell)
Hydrogen sulfide gas can come from reducing aquifers or bacterial activity. An AIO system introduces air to oxidize H2S, then filters it. Many homes pair AIO with a **carbon polish** for great‑tasting showers and cooking water.
Remove Sulfur with AIO Add Catalytic Carbon
A “shock chlorination” may help temporarily after pump work, but persistent odor usually needs a continuous AIO solution.
UV Filters for Bacteria & Viruses (Whole‑Home Safety Net)
UV (ultraviolet) systems **inactivate microbes** without chemicals or taste changes. They’re the preferred final stage on private wells and a smart add‑on for homes that want a safety layer during boil‑water advisories.
Shop VIQUA UV Systems VIQUA 12 GPM Whole‑Home UV
- Place UV **after** sediment & carbon so the sleeve stays clean.
- Replace UV lamps every **12 months**; clean the sleeve as needed.
“Best” Well Water Filtration Systems (Top Picks by Use‑Case)
Best All‑Around (Most Wells)
Best Minimalist Stack (Budget)
- Big Blue (sediment)
- Choose **one**: AIO (iron/sulfur) or Catalytic Carbon (taste/odor)
- Softener (if hard)
- RO at kitchen
“Best” depends on your lab results. Always size/backwash per manufacturer specs and your well’s flow rate.
DIY Well Water Filter System (What’s Reasonable, What’s Not)
Handy homeowners often DIY **prefilters** and **under‑sink RO**. For AIO iron/sulfur, softeners, and UV, pro installation is recommended (proper drain, backwash flow, electrical and code compliance). If you DIY, follow flow‑direction arrows, set bypasses, and pressure‑test before use.
Start with Big Blue Add 5‑Stage RO
Safety first: disinfect plumbing after cut‑ins and test for coliform before relying on the system.
Well Water Testing (Choose Before You Buy)
Test at least annually for **total coliform/E. coli**, **nitrates**, **TDS**, **pH**, and add **iron, manganese, hardness**, and **arsenic** where regionally relevant. Re‑test after floods, pump work, or when taste/odor/pressure change.
Have results? Email them to housetechplus@gmail.com or call 813‑369‑1317—we’ll map results to the right stack.
Combination / Multi‑Stage Systems (Bundle the Right Way)
Wells rarely have a single issue. The winning order is generally: Sediment → Iron/Sulfur (AIO) → Carbon → Softener → UV → RO at kitchen. This protects plumbing, keeps showers fresh, and gives you premium‑tasting drinking water.
Size Your Softener Right‑Size Your RO Browse the Product Sitemap
Specific Brands vs. The Right Specs
Many shoppers search for **SpringWell**, **PRO+AQUA**, or **Crystal Quest**. Brand familiarity is helpful, but what **solves your water** is the **spec**: media type (e.g., catalytic carbon, Katalox), correct tank size, backwash rate, valve quality, and maintenance schedule.
Spec Checklist (what actually matters)
- Iron/sulfur media & backwash sized to your Fe/Mn/H2S and well flow.
- Carbon type (catalytic coconut‑shell) and service flow to match whole‑home demand.
- Softener capacity (grains) and **metered** regeneration.
- UV sizing (GPM) and annual lamp changes.
- RO capacity (GPD) and prefilter schedule.
Shop Proven Components
FAQ
What’s the right order for a well filtration train?
Most wells do best with Sediment → Iron/Sulfur (AIO) → Carbon → Softener → UV → RO at kitchen. If arsenic is present, add arsenic media at POE and keep RO at POU.
Do I need UV if I install RO?
RO is a drinking‑water polish at the sink. UV protects the **whole house** plumbing and fixtures from microbes—especially valuable on private wells.
How do I size a softener?
Use your hardness (gpg), people in home, and iron level (add ~5 gpg per 1 ppm ferrous iron) to estimate grain capacity. Then confirm with the Softener Sizing Chart.
My water smells like rotten eggs—where do I start?
That’s hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Install an AIO system and consider a carbon polish. If a well shock helps only briefly, you need a continuous solution.
What should I test for?
At minimum: total coliform/E. coli, nitrates, TDS, pH, hardness, iron, manganese; add arsenic where regional data suggests risk. Re‑test after floods or plumbing work.
Next Steps
Pick Your Softener Size Right‑Size Your RO Explore the Product Sitemap Call 813‑369‑1317 for help