6 Best Well Water Filtration Systems
Updated: Aug. 19, 2022When your water source is a well, it's up to you to determine if you need a well water filtration system. If you do, here are six of our favorites.
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Buying a Well Water Filtration System
“Well water filtration system” describes any device that removes contaminants from your well water. These contaminants could be sediment particles, minerals, chemicals or bacteria.
There’s also technically no difference between water filtration systems for wells and those for any other residential water source. Although the details of how water filtration systems work vary, the basic principle is the same: The system is installed in your house, somewhere between the water source and the point of water use.
There are many types of well water filtration systems. Which type you choose depends on the condition of your water and what contaminants you need removed. That’s why testing your water is essential before investing in a system.
These are the most common types of water filtration:
- Sediment filters: These contain a plastic cartridge with fine pores.
- Carbon charcoal filters: These filtering water through layers of carbon, which absorbs many chemical contaminants.
- Reverse-osmosis filters: Here, water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane, removing most contaminants.
- Ultra-violet light filters: These direct UV rays through incoming water, killing most microorganisms and bacteria.
- Water distillers: These systems boil water, creating steam that re-condenses into liquid, removing nearly all chemicals and minerals.
These systems come in lots of sizes and designs, and some are easier to install and operate than others. Here are six of our favorite well water filtration systems, selected with DIYers in mind.
Best Value Well Water Filtration System
The iSpring Two-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System offers great performance for the money ($156). It removes nearly all sediments during the first stage, and most chemical contaminants with carbon filtering in the second.
An Amazon reviewer writes: “In my opinion these are the best water filters out there in this price range. Just this week I have noticed an improvement in the water taste and am starting to notice a difference in the reduction of water spots on dishes after washing, etc.”
Best Reverse-Osmosis Well Water Filtration System
Designed and built in the U.S., the APEC Water Systems Essence Series Five-Stage Reverse-Osmosis Water Filter System removes nearly all sediments and chemical contaminants. It performs better than many other reverse-osmosis units that cost more. It also comes with a faucet and a two-year warranty.
“The APEC Top Tier Five-Stage Reverse Osmosis system delivers on its most important function — clean, good tasting water, and it does it at great value,” writes a reviewer on Amazon.
“This is a six month review. This five-stage system includes one pre-filter, two particulate filters, and two micro filters. This gives it large capacity for cleaning silty water, while providing a high-level of purifying for harmful contaminates.”
Best Sediment Well Water Filtration System
Large capacity, great flow rate and easy installation are the chief benefits of this heavy-duty 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Quick-Change Water Filter System.
With an extremely fine five-micron inner filter, almost no sediment can make it through this unit and into your water. The stainless steel fittings and thick plastic outer casing are built to last. The unit filters up to 20 gallons per minute, which is plenty for most homes.
“I am an engineering manager at a cosmetics manufacturer and am very familiar with many different types of water filtration,” writes a reviewer on Amazon.
“The water in my N.J. home had multiple odors and taste: musty, rusty, and sediment dirty, also red color in the pre-filter I installed. This filter has taken care of all of those concerns. Water quality after the filter is fantastic.”
Best Heavy-Duty Distillation Well Water Filtration System
Distilling your well water is a great way to remove all unwanted dissolved substances, and the AquaNui 12-Gallon Automatic Water Distiller is the best I’ve ever come across.
A couple of years ago, convinced of the medical benefits of drinking distilled water, I installed this unit in my basement. Extremely well engineered with all major parts made of stainless steel, it distills 12 gallons of water per day. It’s not cheap ($2,495), but it’s the best option for folks serious about distilling lots of water.
AquaNui also makes smaller versions that are equally high quality. I’ve tested distilled water made by this product coming out of my well, and it’s free of all minerals and unwanted material.
Best UV Well Water Filtration System
Compact design, high-quality materials, easy installation and extremely effective bacteria removal all make the HQUA Ultraviolet Water Purifier Sterilizer stand out from the rest.
Made of stainless steel, it’s conveniently sized at 21 inches long and 3-1/2-inches in diameter. Though compact, it gives an impressive flow rate of up to 12 gallons per minute. It reliably removes all bacteria and viruses and comes with an extra UV bulb.
“Our well had issues with coliform bacteria present in a home test and lab test,” writes a reviewer on Amazon. “After installing this unit the home test and lab test both passed. There is no odor or change in taste of our water.”
Best Compact Carbon Filtration System
If you’re looking for a great quality activated-carbon filter that removes unwanted chemicals and fits under your sink, the Waterdrop Under Sink Water Filter System is hard to beat. A little more than a foot long, it fits in most sink cabinets where it’s easy to connect to your water lines. It provides nearly a gallon per minute of clean, filtered water.
One Amazon reviewer writes, “This is just what I’ve been looking for. It goes right to my existing faucet. I didn’t want a separate faucet for filtered water. It was very easy to install. I’m out in the country with a well and this helps the water taste better.”
