Questions about Whole House Water Filtration Systems

[gegawo]

When I drilled my well in 1979, the water was tested and found to be within EPA drinking water standards. A simple A.O. Smith whole house particulate filter was all that was needed. In the last decade or so, an abnormally high number of people living in the valley here developed cancer. No cause has been found but some suspect the well water in the area.

As a result, we had our well water professionally tested for 142 of the most common contaminants, including radon dioxane and PFAS. I won't go into all the details and the results were within EPA standards but just barely. The arsenic and bacteria levels were marginal but the dioxane and PFAS were well within limits. As a result, we installed a Waterdrop reverse osmosis system for drinking & cooking water only. No need to put in a whole house system. Out of an abundance of caution, we also installed a rain water collection system for the vegetable garden.

A subsequent test of the filtered water showed a large drop in contaminants with some eliminated completely. The 1,4-dioxane level however did not drop significantly. The lab suggested we use a granulated carbon filter to further remove the dioxane. In our case though, the levels weren't high enough to warrant the extra filtration.

If you're really concerned about the quality of your water, even as an alpha introvert who prefers handling things independently, consider getting it tested by a reputable lab.

thank you for your suggestion

 

[lman]

We've been here 28 years and there has never been any type of filter used for the well water. The water is clear and tastes good coming straight out of the well. The original well pump is about 32 years old with no problems. The water is a little hard so we have always used a softener. All of the water that we drink comes out of the well.

 

[gsganzer]

The new place I'm buying has a whole house reverse osmosis system. The homeowner has the dealer service it 2x a year at $160 visit. The homeowner is supposed to give me a tutorial on its operation and also walk all the buried utilities with me (septic, irrigation, electric service, service to the shop etc.).

At my current house, the water is naturally very soft. When you shower, it takes the smallest amount of soap to get lathered. The new place had hard water, requiring the filter system.

 

[ponytug]

The new place I'm buying has a whole house reverse osmosis system. The homeowner has the dealer service it 2x a year at $160 visit. The homeowner is supposed to give me a tutorial on its operation and also walk all the buried utilities with me (septic, irrigation, electric service, service to the shop etc.).

At my current house, the water is naturally very soft. When you shower, it takes the smallest amount of soap to get lathered. The new place had hard water, requiring the filter system.

Good luck! Having run them for decades, I think RO systems are pretty straightforward, especially if you are lucky enough to have someone else coming by to give them the TLC (filter changes and cleaning) that they need. Is the new house on a brackish water well?

That's great that the homeowner is doing that handoff for you.

If it were me, I'd probably get permission to video the whole walk through, just to be able revisit information in the future.

All the best,

Peter

 

[gsganzer]

Good luck! Having run them for decades, I think RO systems are pretty straightforward, especially if you are lucky enough to have someone else coming by to give them the TLC (filter changes and cleaning) that they need. Is the new house on a brackish water well?

That's great that the homeowner is doing that handoff for you.

If it were me, I'd probably get permission to video the whole walk through, just to be able revisit information in the future.

All the best,

Peter

I don't believe it was brackish. I think it was hard with some slight Sulphur smell, which is common in many parts of TX. I watched the wife get a glass of water from the refrigerator dispenser, so they drink it. The well is only 250' deep, whereas my current house is 450' and has a low recharge rate.