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jessica_coughlin64

Rural Build- water filtering advice

3 months ago

We are building in a very rural area. Our well water seems to have lot of sediment, especially in certain times of the year. I’m wondering what advice is out there for filtering our whole house. Is that worth it? Just filtering for drinking water? Should I avoid a fancy shower fixture and use shower head filters, maybe just for the master shower head? What about laundry? I have no expertise in this area, just want clean healthy water to drink and wash with. Thank you!

Featured Answer
  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Municipal water has to be regularly tested for specific list of chemicals and when they reach an actionable level, they have to be treated or mitigated.

    They also have a second list of chemicals that don't have defined mitigation point, but have to be tracked.

    When you have a private well, there's nobody but you to manage that. Do not assume your water is fine.

    In general there are four general areas that you need to be concerned with:

    1. Biologically safe (that is to say no significant amounts of harmful bacteria or cysts)

    2. Chemically safe (issues such as nitrates, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.)

    3. Taste/Odor/Color - sulfur, tannins, turbidity, sediment

    4. Hardness, Iron

    There is no one filter that will do all of that. You really do have to have your water tested by a lab before you can talk filtration at all.

    Then you will have things you have to deal with (1 & 2) and things you would like to deal with (3 & 4).

    You will have to re-test on a regular basis. Any filtering will require regular maintenance that has to be figured into things.

    Start by googling "Health Dept your county well water testing" and then testing your water.

    Also, what are the rules regarding testing your well before you can get building permit?

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