Private-well water, explained from the sources.
Well water testing, softeners, iron and sulfur filters, and pumps, compared from manufacturer specs, manuals and state lab guidance. Every claim is sourced.
Well water testing
Test a private well every year for total coliform, nitrate, TDS and pH at a state-certified lab, and again after floods, repairs or a change in taste.
Water softeners
A water softener swaps calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium. Here is how it works, the hardness levels that justify one and what to check on a well.
- Water Softener for Well Water: 5 Picks Matched to IronBuying guide
- Best Water Softener: 6 Picks by Household and HardnessBuying guide
- Salt-Free Water Softener: 5 Conditioners and Their LimitsBuying guide
- Water Softener Installation Cost: Unit, Labor, Extras
- Water Softener Size Calculator: What Size Do I Need?
- Water Softener vs Water Conditioner: What Each Does
- Septic Safe Water Softener: What the Brine Research Shows
Iron, sulfur and pH
Iron above 0.3 mg/L stains and tastes metallic but is not a health limit. The fix depends on its form, your mg/L level and pH; here is how to match them.
Whole-house filtration
A whole house water filter on a well is a train of stages picked from a lab test: sediment, neutralizer, iron, softener, carbon, then UV.
- Well Water Filtration System: 4 Picks by Test ResultBuying guide
- Best Whole House Water Filter: City vs Well Water PicksBuying guide
- Well Water Treatment System: Match Test Results to a Fix
- Sediment Filter for Well Water: Spin-Down and CartridgeBuying guide
- Reverse Osmosis System for Well Water: 4 Units ComparedBuying guide
- UV Water Filter for Whole House Well Water: 5 Units ComparedBuying guide
Well pumps and pressure tanks
Depth to water picks the well pump. Shallow jets lift 25 ft at most; deeper water needs a submersible or deep-well jet. Size by peak gpm and head.
- Well Pressure Tank: How It Works, Sizing and Air Pressure
- Submersible Well Pump: Four 1/2 HP 2-Wire Pumps ComparedBuying guide
- Well Pump Replacement Cost: Ranges and Price Drivers
- Shallow Well Pump: 5 Jet Pumps for Water Within 25 FeetBuying guide
- Well Pressure Tank Replacement: Signs, Steps and Precharge
Troubleshooting
To fix a water softener, check bypass, salt and power first. Symptom-to-fix table and Fleck 5600SXT and Clack WS1 error codes from the manuals.