We like the taste of our well water, the stains from iron /manganese not so much. In the pump house we use a basic 5 micron spun W/H filter which I'll admit needs to be changed out more often. I see that one can buy some pretty elaborate systems, but then again- I don't want to turn it into city water. Is there a step up from what we use now that helps with the minerals enough to lessen the staining yet keep that good country well water taste? Thanks.
What do you use for a whole house water filter?
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oosik
Epic Contributor
I have a spring that provides my water. It was developed by the homesteader in 1893. I upgraded and added a submersible pump in 1982. The water remains at 54 degrees - year round and tastes great. It is hard water - carbonates. I've never added any type of water treatment. In my case - no need to complicate this system when it's just fine, as is.
There are large whole house filters you can purchase that don't require changing as often. We run 2 of the smaller units in parallel with 5 micron string and only change one at a time. Maybe the current filter is over capacity. Next step up for minerals would be a water softener. If the softener is in the house a separate non-softened drinking water line could be used.
Valveman
Platinum Member
Iron can be removed with aeration. Look into the Sulfur Eliminator as it also works for iron.
3Ts
Elite Member
There is more than one size of whole house filter. I run a 4.5" x 20" filter on my well. For the most part I have soft water with a trace of sulfur, my wife can detect the sulfur more than I can so I run a charcoal canister in our filter. Although it is not a "sulfur filter" it seems to take the sulfur out well enough that she is satisfied. I replace the filter every 3 or 4 months.
joeyd
Platinum Member
I am on a well and had iron issues, red ring in toilets, clothes rust colored etc. I use a Homespring filtration system on my home, it filters 0.02 microns. It was pricey but no iron issues since I installed it 12 years ago. It includes a built in pre-filter and charcoal filter along with the filter media.
Homespring Specifications
Peak flow rate 11gpm
Service flow rate 4.5gpm
Flush volume 12 gal
Efficiency 95%
Bacteria removal 99.99999%
Virus removal 99.999%
Cyst removal 99.95%
Filtration Size 0.02 micron
Voltage 120/230
Homespring Specifications
Peak flow rate 11gpm
Service flow rate 4.5gpm
Flush volume 12 gal
Efficiency 95%
Bacteria removal 99.99999%
Virus removal 99.999%
Cyst removal 99.95%
Filtration Size 0.02 micron
Voltage 120/230
PILOON
Super Star Member
I use lake water as my household supply.
Winds agitate the lake and stir minor particles that the pump introduces into the system.
As such my water contained minor particles that would stain vessels and clothing while otherwise very consumable.
Our lake is only spring fed and has no inlet as such.
Normal filters became impossible as they'd clog in less than a week.
My solution was to modify slightly (fittings) and adapt a 100 mesh pool filter and that has served me well for going on 20 years.
During the ice free months cleaning the filter with a bottle brush on a monthly (or more) basis has done the trick for me.
If I neglected a cleaning a drop in water pressure would be my signal to clean the filter.
To simplify the cleaning process I installed a ball valve before and after the filter so that I have minimal leakage.
Note water here is so pure that many consume it on a daily basis for decades.
Just yesterday I purchased my first replacement element (after 20 years) as the original one was really looking rusty looking.
There is lots of iron ore in this sector which explains the rust staining shucks a magnet picks up stone chips.
Winds agitate the lake and stir minor particles that the pump introduces into the system.
As such my water contained minor particles that would stain vessels and clothing while otherwise very consumable.
Our lake is only spring fed and has no inlet as such.
Normal filters became impossible as they'd clog in less than a week.
My solution was to modify slightly (fittings) and adapt a 100 mesh pool filter and that has served me well for going on 20 years.
During the ice free months cleaning the filter with a bottle brush on a monthly (or more) basis has done the trick for me.
If I neglected a cleaning a drop in water pressure would be my signal to clean the filter.
To simplify the cleaning process I installed a ball valve before and after the filter so that I have minimal leakage.
Note water here is so pure that many consume it on a daily basis for decades.
Just yesterday I purchased my first replacement element (after 20 years) as the original one was really looking rusty looking.
There is lots of iron ore in this sector which explains the rust staining shucks a magnet picks up stone chips.
Try "Shocking" your well. Pour in one gallon of bleach, let sit for 24 hours and then pump until no bleach smell remains. This will kill the iron bacteria for quite a while.
I was having the brown slime coating my water filters and were having to change them every month or so when I'd notice the water flow diminish. It has been 3 months now and I can still tell that my water filters are white.
I managed 9 school wells and we would "Shock" them every Fall before school started to make sure they were ready to go for the year. Also, if we had a "Hot" coliform sample, we would have to shock the well before sending in 5 new samples.