We all know that water is crucial to life, but with water quality starting to appear more in the public spotlight, TX residents are becoming curious about getting a water filtration system in their homes. At Elder's Pure Water we’ve been serving the Dallas Fort Worth Westoplex area for over 8 years, and we know how important clean, safe water is to our local families.
Why is Water Filtration Important?
Water filtration is important for many reasons.
- If you’re on municipal tap water, most potentially harmful contaminants found in water enter the supply after it leaves the water treatment facility and travels the miles of pipes to your home. This is because public water utilities are not obligated to inspect the condition of the pipes that transport water into our homes. As a result, even if the water meets safety standards when it departs the public system, it may still acquire harmful contaminants while passing through the plumbing before it reaches your faucet. City water, while treated to meet safety standards, can still contain potential contaminants like chlorine, lead, and pharmaceuticals that may pose health risks.
- If you get your water from a private well, a water filter may be necessary to combat natural contamination. This could include bacteria, sulfur, nitrates, and various heavy metals.
Both private and public water can also be affected by other contaminants that may leach through the soil and into the water supply through pipes or wells that are cracked or leaking.
Proper water filtration can help drastically reduce the presence of these harmful substances. This can provide peace of mind and protect the health of all household members. Some whole-home water treatment systems may also help extend the lifespan of appliances and improve the quality of your skin and hair.
Whether your water source is a municipal system or a private well, investing in a reliable water filter can be crucial for maintaining cleaner, safer, and great-tasting water.
Understanding Water Quality
Before installing a water treatment system of any kind, it’s important to have your water tested. Even if you’re aware of a local contaminant in the water supply and are aware of which water filter can help address the issue, your water may contain different levels of contamination than your friend across town. A local professional like the technicians at Elder's Pure Water can help to test your water to ensure you can make the best decision about the type of filtration you’d like for your family. The wrong type of filtration system can leave you exposed to potential contaminants or even cost you unnecessary expenses.
In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss considerations to make for both well water and city water and explore different types of filtration methods.
Special Considerations for Well Water
Before choosing a water filter or system for your well, you should consider the unique challenges and characteristics associated with this type of water source. Unlike city water, well water is not treated by municipal systems and varies greatly in quality from one well to the next. Many factors impact well water quality such as specific location, environmental factors, time of the year, amount of rainfall, and localized contaminants.
The first step is to get a water test to identify specific contaminants that may be present in the well water. Common pollutants include bacteria, viruses, nitrates, heavy metals like lead and arsenic, and localized contaminants like fertilizer, pesticides, and manufacturing waste. These could all affect your well water. Understanding the specific composition of your well water can help determine the most effective water filter or system for your needs.
Well water can also face seasonal changes and groundwater fluctuations that can affect its quality. For example, heavy rainfall or drought conditions can introduce new contaminants or change the concentration levels of existing ones. It is also vital to think about the maintenance and longevity of the filtration system. A more durable or comprehensive system may be needed for well water to ensure that it functions effectively over time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. More frequent testing is recommended if there has been recent flooding, you live near manufacturing or industrial activity, or if there are elderly or small children in the home. A local water expert can help you navigate all of this effectively so your family isn’t left exposed to potential contamination.
Considerations for City Water
When choosing a filtration system for city water, there are several factors to consider to ensure the highest quality and safety of your drinking water. Although city water is treated to meet federal safety standards, it can still contain various contaminants that affect health and taste.
Common issues we’ve found with municipal water include chlorine, chloramine, lead, fluoride, and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It is essential to understand the specific water quality issues in your municipality by reviewing the annual water quality report provided by your local water utility. This knowledge can help you consider a filtration system tailored to address the particular contaminants present in your city’s water supply.
A water test by a professional is also recommended to test for known contaminants in your area that may be introduced after your water leaves the treatment facility. This is due to the potential of aging infrastructure which can introduce additional contamination such as lead, other metals, or bacteria into the water as it travels from the treatment plant to your home.
By having a professional carefully help you evaluate these considerations, you can choose a city water filtration system that effectively addresses your water quality concerns and provides cleaner, safer, and better-tasting water for your family.
There is No One Size Fits All Solution
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to water treatment. Different water sources require different filtration approaches to effectively address their specific contaminants. For instance, well water might contain bacteria and heavy metals, while the city water 2 miles away might have chlorine, lead, and pharmaceuticals. The water in a home at one end of town could have a different composition than a home at the other end of town. Choosing the right filtration system involves considering several critical factors, including the type of contaminants present in your water, your budget, household size, and overall water usage. Each household’s needs vary, making it essential to take a personalized approach to water filtration. By tailoring the filtration system to your specific water quality issues and usage patterns, you ensure optimal performance and satisfaction.
A Few Popular Options for Filtered Water
When it comes to ensuring cleaner, safer drinking water, several types of water filters are popular for both well water and city water. Each type offers unique advantages and addresses different contaminants, making it important to choose the right filter based on your specific water quality needs.
Activated Carbon Water Filters
Activated carbon water filters are highly effective at reducing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and unpleasant tastes and odors, making them a great choice for some city water. However, they are less effective at removing heavy metals and microorganisms, so they might not be sufficient enough for well water unless combined with other filtration methods.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
A reverse osmosis system is an excellent water filtration system for both well water and city water as it reduces a broad spectrum of contaminants, including heavy metals, nitrates, fluoride, and even some bacteria and viruses to provide delicious filtered water. The downside of a reverse osmosis system is that it can be a bit more expensive up front and some can waste more water than other systems. However, recent models are much more efficient and their comprehensive filtration makes them ideal for households with diverse contamination issues. There are different options available for reverse osmosis filters as well including under the sink option which treat individual locations in the home and whole-house reverse osmosis systems which provide treated water to the entire home.
UV Lights
UV lights are not a water filtration system, but they are particularly beneficial for well water, as they effectively kill bacteria and viruses without adding chemicals to your water. However, they do not remove chemical contaminants or particulates, so they are often used in combination with other filtration systems.
Whole Home Water Filtration
A whole-house water filter can provide comprehensive treatment for all water entering the home, making these types of filters a great solution for both city and well water. They typically incorporate multiple filtration stages, including sediment filters, activated carbon, and sometimes UV or reverse osmosis. A whole-house water filter is more versatile but also more complex to install and maintain.
Each type of water filter has its pros and cons and is best suited for specific scenarios. Choosing the right filter requires understanding your water source’s unique needs and considering factors such as budget, household size, and specific contaminants present.
Where Should You Start?
Water testing is a crucial first step in ensuring the safety and quality of your drinking water. The knowledge you gain from testing allows you to address potential health risks effectively, explore different options for water filters and can provide you with the peace of mind you and your family deserve.
A local professional like Elder's Pure Water can help you consider factors like the type of contaminants in your water, your budget, household size, water usage, and your personal preferences.
We encourage you to take action today by getting your water tested. We provide a free basic water test and we have years of intimate knowledge about our local water supply. We’ve been helping families choose the best filtration for their needs for over 8 years. We take a personalized approach to water filtration whether you’re looking for whole-house water filtration or want to address the tap water at a single faucet, and we are passionate about educating our community about safer, cleaner, quality water.
Don’t wait—contact us today by calling 817-631-4967 or by clicking here.