The Water Softener Blog

If you rely on a private well for your water supply, understanding the pH of your water is crucial. Whether your water is too acidic or too alkaline, or neutral, the pH level plays a significant role in how well your water treatment system functions and how it impacts your home's plumbing and appliances. In this "Water Filtration Series" article, we'll break down the pH scale , explain how pH affects water chemistry, and explore how to address both low and high pH levels in well water.

Iron Curtain - Whole House Filtration System In the second installment of our Water Filtration Series , we explore whole-house filtration systems designed to address challenging water issues and the most effective options for removing  iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). We’ll cover: When and how to know you need a whole-house filtration system Which type of system works best for the water issues being treated Why the right filtration system matters How to choose the right system and solution for your water,  home, and family Why Iron, Manganese, H2S (odor), and Low PH are often referred to as "Problem Water" Water with high levels of iron, manganese, H₂S, and low PH is often called " problem water",  and for good reason. These issues can be stubborn, and solving them can take trial and error and expertise. Many homeowners (and even some “experts”) try to fix these problems with oversized filter cartridges before or after a water softener. Unfortunately...

If you get your drinking water from a private well, you already know how good it feels to have your own water source. But here’s the thing — your well water doesn’t get checked, treated, or maintained by anyone but you . One of the biggest risks to your water is something you can’t even see: bacteria . Let’s talk about the types of bacteria that can show up in well water (including some you might not expect), how they get into your well (sometimes thanks to bugs, mice, and even lawn mowers!), what tests you should run, and how to get rid of bacteria — including why a whole-house UV system might be worth it. What Kind of Bacteria Are We Talking About? Even if your water looks and tastes perfectly fine, bacteria might still be lurking. Here are some of the most common types that show up in wells: Coliform bacteria — These are the standard “red flag” bacteria. They aren’t always harmful themselves, but they let you know something’s wrong — like contamination from surface ...

Clean water isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. With such a variety of water filtration products on the market today. The term "whole house water filter" can mean different things to people. So, choosing the right filtration method is crucial for our water. Are you filtering water for the entire home or just for drinking water? For homeowners, the term "water filter" may refer to a whole-house filter housing at the point of entry (POE), an under-sink filter for point of use (POU), a faucet-mounted filter, or even a refrigerator filter. For water treatment professionals, it may refer to a whole-house sediment filter housing or a whole-house filtration system that removes iron, odor, manganese, arsenic, lead, chlorine, turbidity, bacteria, sand, a UV system, VOCs, and PFAS, along with a litany of other potential water contaminants.  In this guide from our Water Filtration Series, we clear up the confusion and focus on one of the most misunderstood yet common filtrati...

Safe, Clean Water from Your Well—Without Chemicals If you rely on well water, you're probably familiar with the challenges: unpleasant odors, staining from iron, and concerns about bacteria or heavy metals. KDF filtration media provides a powerful, chemical-free solution to address these issues at their source. What Is KDF Filtration? ⚈ KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) is a high-purity copper-zinc filtration media that removes contaminants from water through a natural process called redox (oxidation-reduction) . As water flows through the media, electrons are transferred between elements, changing harmful substances into harmless ones or filtering them out entirely. ⚈  KDF 55 Filtration Media - Gold fine media (top) KDF 55 is a high-purity copper-zinc granule filtration media that uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction to remove contaminants from water. It is specifically designed to remove chlorine, water-soluble heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and nickel), and control th...

How to Size and Choose the Proper Water Softener System for Your Home and Family Choosing the right water softener system isn’t just about picking a number off a spec sheet or grabbing a water softener off the shelf at a big box store. It’s about understanding your water quality, household water usage, and selecting a system that delivers high-quality water, long-term performance, efficiency, and dependable support. Below, we break down the key factors that go into properly sizing and selecting the right water softener system for your home and family. 1. Start with a Complete Professional Lab Water Analysis Before choosing a water softener, you need to know what you’re treating. A certified lab test should analyze for: Hardness (Calcium & Magnesium) Iron (Fe) pH Level   (6.5 – 8.0 is ideal for most treatment systems) TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide – rotten egg odor) Manganese Sand/Particulates Arsenic, Lead, Uranium, etc. Bacteria and other local contaminant...

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can silently contaminate private well water across the United States. Invisible, tasteless, and odorless, arsenic often goes undetected until a proper water test reveals its presence. For homeowners who rely on private wells, understanding how arsenic gets into groundwater—and how to treat it—is critical to our health and safety.

What is a Water Softener? A water softening or water conditioning system (as it is sometimes referred to) is an essential appliance for homes dealing with hard water. These systems remove hardness minerals—mainly calcium, magnesium, and some iron—from your water through a process called ion exchange, delivering softened water that helps protect plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances from hard water scale and iron staining. In short, a water softener enhances your home’s efficiency, extends plumbing fixtures and appliance life, extends water heater life and makes water heaters much more efficient, and considerably reduces soap and detergent usage for dishwashing, clothes washing, and washing anything, including you! 

Clean, safe drinking water is essential to our health, but well water and city tap water often contain contaminants that can affect taste, safety, and overall well-being. Residential reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the perfect solution for homeowners looking to provide their families with high-quality, purified drinking water. In this article, we’ll explore how reverse osmosis systems work, the filtration stages involved, the contaminants they remove, how they can improve your health, the typical cost of a residential under-sink system, and the filter maintenance required. What is a Residential Reverse Osmosis System? A residential reverse osmosis system is a water filtration system typically installed under the kitchen sink or in the basement. It uses advanced membrane technology to remove harmful impurities and contaminants from tap water, providing clean, great-tasting drinking water directly from a dedicated faucet.  How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Work? Reverse osmos...