The Ultimate Guide For Buying The Best Water Softener For Well Water

If you use water supplied from your well, you may wonder whether your water supply really needs softening and what you can do to ensure your water supply is clean and safe for your family’s daily consumption.

Well water comes up from underground aquifers, which are naturally occurring underground sources of groundwater that provide fresh drinking water for people who live near them.

Well water can be hard or soft depending on what kind of minerals exist in the aquifer and how much they’ve been disturbed by human activity like drilling. Sometimes, wells can also be contaminated with chemicals or bacteria that come up from below ground through cracks in rock formations and other geological processes that cause contamination of the aquifer itself, like fracking.

As a homeowner, it is natural to want clean and safe water flowing throughout your household. The well water is prone to contamination and can severely damage your pipes, plumbing infrastructure, and appliances if left unchecked. In the worst case, harmful chemicals present in your well water can adversely affect your health. 

Luckily, there are several solutions that can decontaminate well water so you can provide clean and safe water throughout your household. A water softener can help turn hard water into soft water by removing hardness-causing minerals, as well as a wide variety of common contaminants that may be found in your well water.

This article discusses the best water softeners to use with well water and all of the factors to consider while purchasing your water softener.

💧 Scan and Service app💧

Well Water Filter and Salt Based Water

Contaminants Removed: Iron, Manganese, Sulphur & Hydrogen Sulphide.
Hydrogen Sulfide: 
7 PPM
Flow Rate: 8 GPM

Warranty: Lifetime

💧 User Friendly LCD💧

SoftPro Elite Water Softener for well water

Contaminants Removed: Iron, Manganese,Chlorine & Turbidity.
Hydrogen Sulfide: Upto 5 PPM
Flow Rate: 7 GPM
Warranty: lifetime

💧 Affordable 💧

Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Softener

Contaminants Removed: Calcium, Magnesium and Clear Water Iron.
Hydrogen Sulfide: Upto 10 PPM
Flow Rate: 10 GPM
Warranty: 5 years

Does well water need a water softener?

some facts on well water

Well water across several areas in America is naturally hard, which means it has minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolved in it. When these minerals come into contact with metal pipes, they can form lime-scale, which is what’s happening when you see white build-up on your faucets or showerhead.

So how do you know if your well water needs a water softener? The best way is to have a water test done to determine the hardness of your well water. You can purchase a home testing kit and do the test yourself or get your water professionally tested in a lab for more detailed and accurate results.

If you have a lab or home test that shows that your well water is moderately hard or higher, then you will definitely want to install a softener.

Well water can get contaminated for many different reasons based on where you live. If your well gets water from a clean aquifer that is uncontaminated by human activity, then there is no need to install a water softener.

The only way to accurately know if your water is contaminated is to get it tested. The test results will also inform you if your well water is contaminated with harmful chemicals like mercury or toxic volatile organic compounds.

Once you know what you’re dealing with regarding contamination of your well water, you will be able to make the correct decisions for treating your well water in the most effective way.

What is the best water softener for well water? – Our Answer

Springwell’s Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener is a game-changer when it comes to providing the best water treatment solution for well water. With its advanced filtration technology and effective water softening capabilities, it ensures that you and your loved ones have access to clean, pure, and soft water right from your well.

This remarkable system is designed to tackle the unique challenges posed by well water, such as sediment, rust, iron, manganese, and other impurities that can affect the taste, odor, and overall quality of your water. It combines state-of-the-art filtration media with a salt-based water softener, offering a comprehensive and reliable solution for your well water treatment needs.

What sets the Springwell Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener apart from the rest is its unwavering commitment to excellence. It employs cutting-edge technology to remove contaminants, ensuring that every drop of water that flows from your tap is exceptionally pure and refreshing. Additionally, its salt-based water softening feature eliminates the nuisance of hard water, preventing scale buildup in your pipes, appliances, and fixtures, while also providing you with the luxurious feel of soft water.

Not only does Springwell prioritize your health and well-being, but they also take great care in providing a system that is easy to install, use, and maintain. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in their top-notch customer service and support, making the entire experience of owning their water treatment system a breeze.

When it comes to the best water softener for well water, Springwell’s Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener truly stands out as a testament to quality, innovation, and reliability. Experience the joy of pure, soft, and revitalizing water with Springwell – a company that is committed to transforming your well water into an exceptional source of hydration and inspiration.

Why should you trust us?

major water softener brands usa

We take pride in our honest reviews that compare products based on their features alone. We break down individual elements to offer comparisons that discuss both positive and negative elements.

Every product we review is treated with the same amount of care and attention, so we may present the most relevant information to you. Our reviews are unbiased and offer a comprehensive picture of specific products, so you can be empowered to make the best decisions for yourself.

Our reviews are always up-to-date and offer pertinent information that is direct and authentic. You never have to worry about outdated information as we conduct extensive surveys of the water softener market. All of the reviews in this guide are relevant, informative, and to the point.

Our aim is to empower you as a customer so you are able to use our reviews to get the most out of your water softener experience. For these reasons, you can trust that our guides are honest and authentic and serve to empower you as a customer. List of 6 Best DIR Water Softener For Septic Systems

Reviewing Best Water Softeners for Well Water 2023

1. SpringWell WSSS1 Water Softener

water softener with iron filter

SpringWell’s WSSS1 water softener is ideal for use with well water as it can remove contaminants like manganese, iron, and sulfur, which are commonly found in wells. In addition to ion exchange technology that removes magnesium and calcium, this water softener is equipped with technology to convert well water into safe, clean, and soft water that will not damage your appliances, infrastructure, or health.

SpringWell includes a control head that can be connected via Bluetooth to your phone. This makes it convenient to view and change all of the settings with a few taps on your phone. SpringWell includes advanced features like air draw, backwash cycles, timing, and more to enhance the user experience.

You can choose from models that have the capacity for one to three bathrooms or, if you have a large household with several members, up to seven bathrooms. The advanced functions and ease of use make it possible to save on salt and water costs while making maintenance almost negligible.

This water softener is also easy to install and set up by yourself without having to rely on professionals due to the detailed instructions SpringWell includes with your purchase.

You can easily turn SpringWell’s WSSS1 into a whole-house water treatment solution with add-ons like UV filtration or eliminating a wider array of contaminants and ensure clean and safe drinking water throughout your household.

SpringWell guarantees customer satisfaction with a six-month return policy, a lifetime warranty, and excellent customer support.

Pros

  1. Easily controllable Bluetooth head.
  2. Great build quality with premium materials.
  3. Advanced filtration with more contaminants removed.
  4. Easy assembly and operation.
  5. Add-on options for a whole house water treatment system.
  6. Lifetime warranty, six-month return policy, and excellent customer support.

Cons

  1. None.

2. SoftPro Elite Well Water Softener

Soft Pro Warer Softener For Well

SoftPro’s elite water softener is a well-designed similar to Springwell, that offers you several options to enhance your water purification experience. It has an advanced automated control system that gives you many programming options, including vacation mode, auto system refresh, adjustable backwash frequency, and battery backup modes.

These settings are easily accessible and displayed on the user-friendly LCD screen. Combined with the upflow technology, this water softener can contribute to significant salt and water savings. 

SoftPro includes choosing a model with an extra KDF filter that can increase water cleaning capabilities by removing chlorine. SoftPro has a reputation for excellent customer service and includes a lifetime warranty along with a six-month money-back policy.

Additionally, SoftPro has many add-ons you can use to turn your water softener into a comprehensive water treatment system for your entire house. This makes Softpro’s Elite an effective choice for well water in 2023 due to its high efficiency and extra cleaning capabilities.

Pros

  1. High-efficiency technology.
  2. High-quality build.
  3. The reputable manufacturer that provides a lifetime warranty.
  4. Add-ons and extra filters for increased cleaning capabilities.
  5. Easily programmable automated settings.
  6. Low maintenance.
  7. ANSI, NSF, and ISO 9001 certified.

Cons

  1. None.

3. Whirlpool WHES40E Water Softener

Whirlpool water softener

Whirlpool’s WHES40E water softener is ideal for households of one to six people with its 40,000-grain capacity. This water softener has the additional ability to remove up to 10 ppm of iron from your water, making it ideal for use with well water.

The WHES40E is made of durable and NSF materials that guarantee long-lasting service that will take care of your water softening needs for several years. Whirlpool offers staggered warranties, with ten years on the tank, three years on the electronics, and one year on all other parts, which can be extended to three years if you purchase Whirlpool cleansers within a year of owning the water softener. 

Whirlpool improves user experience and efficiency by including automatic demand-initiated regeneration so that your system regenerates itself only when needed. This ultimately leads to significant savings on salt and water.

Whirlpool provides ease of use and powerful cleaning capabilities at an affordable price point, making the WHES40E a good choice for use with well water.

Pros

  1. Demand initiated regeneration.
  2. Sturdy build quality with NSF certification
  3. Removal of up to 10 ppm of iron.
  4. Easy to install and use.
  5. Affordable.

Cons

  1. Not suitable for large families.

4. Aquasana EQ PRO-AST Whole House Water Softener

Whole House Water System

Aquasana provides a comprehensive water treatment system that can be used for your entire house. Combining water softening with water conditioning and UV treatment, this whole house water treatment system provides clean and great tasting water to every tap in your home.

Along with magnesium and calcium, this system can eliminate a wide array of contaminants commonly found in wells, including iron, chlorine, toxic VOCs, and harmful contaminants like lead and mercury, and can even get rid of harmful viruses and bacteria. 

The Aquasana EQ PRO-AST is both cost-efficient and long-lasting, with the manufacturer claiming that you can get clean water for less than 0.01 dollars per gallon. This product also has a massive 500,000-gallon capacity, ensuring you have a consistent supply of clean water no matter how demanding your water needs are. 

Aquasana has designed this comprehensive water treatment system specifically for use with well water as it is able to eliminate all of the common contaminants found in wells. This system is a one-stop solution for a comprehensive whole house water treatment system.

Pros

  1. Eliminates a wide array of contaminants.
  2. Comprehensive whole house water treatment system.
  3. Low maintenance.
  4. Long-lasting filters.
  5. Good water flow rate.

Cons

  1. Difficult to install.
  2. Conditional warranty.
  3. Poor customer service.

5. Water2Buy W2B800 Water Softener

Water2Buy Water Softener

Water2Buy’s W2B800 water softener is ideal for families of between one to ten people and can provide an estimated 1060 gallons of soft water on a daily basis. It is engineered to work with both city and well water and comes with a digital control head that can contribute to saving costs on salt and water. 

The W2B800 comes in a compact form factor, making it suitable for a garage or basement installation. It is built with a high-strength corrosion-resistant fiberglass and polyethylene tank and premium-grade ion X resin, which ensures long-lasting performance and durable build quality. 

This product comes with self-cleaning capabilities, which makes maintenance a lot easier. Water2buy also enhances the user experience by including an easy-connect app for easier operation. 

Pros

  1. Compact form factor with a small footprint.
  2. Automatic regeneration and self-cleaning.
  3. Good value for money.
  4. Efficient with low power consumption.

Cons

  1. The user manual is complicated, making installation more difficult. 
  2. The easy connect app is not a dedicated app and redirects to a website. 
  3. Poor customer service for specific models.

6. AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 Water Softener

afw iron pro 2

AFWFilter’s Iron Pro 2 is designed to be used with well water as it has a dedicated iron filter that, in combination with a mesh resin, makes for an effective iron-fighting water treatment system.

Iron is a common contaminant found in well water, and this system is one of the more effective water softeners equipped to deal with iron contamination. In addition to iron, this product can remove manganese, sediments, sand, and rust, as well as trace amounts of sulfur. 

Equipped with the industry-leading and popular Fleck 5600sxt digital metered valve, the Iron Pro 2 is capable of automatically regenerating itself depending on your specific water usage. This makes maintenance a lot easier and ensures you have enough water when you need it.

The Iron Pro 2 comes in 48,000 and 64,000-grain capacities which you can choose between depending on your water cleaning needs and the size of your household.

It is made of durable and long-lasting materials and comes with a ten-year warranty for the softener and a five-year warranty for the control valve. The powerful cleaning capabilities come at an affordable price point, making the Iron Pro 2 an effective solution for use with well water.

Pros

  1. High-quality Fleck 5600sxt digital metered valve
  2. Removal of iron and sulfur.
  3. Automatic regeneration.
  4. Sturdy and durable build quality.
  5. Easy to use.

Cons

  1. Tricky to install if you have never installed water softeners before.
  2. Programming settings are lost in the event of a power outage.

7. Pro+Aqua Whole House Filter System for Well Water

pro aqua water filter system

Pro+Aqua provides a comprehensive whole house water treatment system that can eliminate a wide variety of contaminants from your well water, which includes iron, hydrogen sulfide, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, uranium, radium, radionuclides, and heavy metals.

With its 3 Micron rating, this well water treatment system also filters sediment, rust, sand, and more. This enables you to eliminate all of the common contaminants found in well water in a comprehensive water treatment system.

Pro+Aqua provides everything you need to set up the water treatment system along with detailed instructions that include pictures for easy understanding. Featuring durable and long-lasting materials, you also get a five-year warranty that enables you to buy this product with confidence.

This product also includes a digital valve that facilitates advanced features like automatic regeneration that enables you to save on salt and water costs. 

Pros

  1. Whole house water treatment system.
  2. Eliminates a wide variety of contaminants.
  3. Quick regeneration.
  4. Good flow rate.

Cons

  1. Poor customer service.
  2. User reviews indicate this product changes the pH balance of your water.

How does a well water softener system work?

well water softener working

Most water softeners use an ion exchange technology where magnesium and calcium ions are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions as water flows through your water softener. A brine solution is created with salt, which provides the necessary sodium to your water softener’s resin beads which then exchange these ions for the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water.

Alternatively, you can use potassium pellets in your water softener, which enables you to have extra potassium in your water instead of sodium. This has several health benefits and is particularly useful for people who have to maintain low sodium diets for health reasons.

In addition to magnesium and calcium, well water often features additional contaminants. The most notable being iron and occasionally more harmful contaminants like toxic VOCs, lead, sulfur and chlorine if your well has not been cleaned in a long time.

Water softeners that are designed for use with well water often include additional filters that trap these contaminants and prevent them from entering your water source. The most common sign of iron contamination is rust stains on your pipes and appliances.

Ion exchange technology, in combination with fine mesh filters, prevents contaminants found in your well from reaching and damaging your household plumbing and appliances. 

Learn in this guide on how to install a water softener with a well:

You can learn how to install a water softener with a well by following our step-by-step instructions depending on the type of water softener you have. 

Salt-based water softener systems  

  1. Switch off the water from the primary line and open the fixture at the lowest height in your home to empty out all the water.
  2. Switch off the water heater.
  3. Go to the region on the main plumbing line where you need to introduce the water softener.
  4. Cut off the line with a pipe cutter.
  5. Attach an elbow fitting in the cut-off line.
  6. Use the measurements of the pipework leading to the bypass valve. Slice it to fit and fuse the fittings and nipples prior to joining the line to the valve.
  7. With the compression fittings, secure the unit.
  8. Secure the hose to the unit and connect it to the drainage area.
  9. Change the valve to the bypass setting and flush water through to dispose of waste.
  10. Connect the unit to a plug, turn the valve in reverse, and open the valve gradually to let water in. Consult your manual for the timetable for flushing and how much salt to add to your tank.

Salt-free water softener

  1. Go to your favored area to set up the salt-free water softener unit and switch off the main water supply.
  2. Empty out the water by opening the lowest faucet in your home.
  3. Cut off the cold water pipe before it arrives at the pre-filter housing.
  4. Connect the shut-off valve to the pipework either by soldering with copper or sticking PVC to it.
  5. Affix the line to the shut-off valve with compression fittings.
  6. Connect the second shut-off valve, expand the line and attach it with a compression fitting.
  7. Attach the downflow outlet, close the two shut-off valves, and switch on the main water valve.
  8. Check for spills or leakage after opening the valves, each in turn. In the event that you can’t find leaks, switch on all valves to start the unit.

Magnetic water softeners

  1. Go to the area where you need to introduce the unit. It is relatively small, so you can put it anyplace along the pipeline.
  2. Follow the manual to open the magnetic box and clamp it to the pipe.
  3. Connect the box encompassing the pipe according to guidelines to allow the water to flow through in the correct direction.
  4. Close the container encompassing the pipe and screw it in.

Features to look for before buying a water softener:

choose the right one

It is vital that your water softener can effectively provide sufficient soft water for your whole family’s consumption. Water conditioners come in various sizes, which are estimated in grain capacity. This demonstrates the number of grains of hardness your water softener can eliminate prior to regeneration.

How much water your family consumes is critical to gauge because your water softener ought to have the option to give the same amount of soft water consistently.

The hardness of your water and how much water you drink every day ought to assist you with deciding the right size of water softener you want for your family.

Water softeners come in various form factors and don’t take up a similar amount of space in your home. Magnetic water softeners are the most minimal sort of water softeners and basically attach to your pipelines.

Water conditioners are somewhat more massive as you will require adequate space lengthways to store them. Salt-based water conditioners are the greatest and will require a committed space made for them. When this space is made, the water softener will keep going for many years.

Regardless of whether you find the ideal water softener, you ought to have the option to bear the cost of it. Fortunately, water softeners come in various budget ranges, and you have the option to track down one that is reasonably affordable for you and takes care of your requirements as a whole.

For economical individuals who need on-demand cleaning capabilities, it might seem alright to lease a water softener briefly as opposed to buying one. It works out better assuming that you are often moving houses yet at the same time need soft water.

Leasing water conditioners will become costly long haul. These items can keep going for quite a long time, so assuming you have a long-lasting home and no designs for moving, it is more conservative to purchase a water conditioner, despite being a greater amount of an immediate expense. 

Water softeners have various degrees of sturdiness and upkeep. A salt-free water softener is generally maintenance-free. Conditioners that use chelating agents can endure as long as five years, and TAC water conditioners will require the TAC media to be replaced every 6 to 8 years.

Salt-based water conditioners need more upkeep because of topping off salt levels occasionally. However, they can keep going for a really long time and are entirely solid products.

Modern water softeners feature a few extra elements that make working them more straightforward. You can get water softeners with a Bluetooth network for clearer communication.

Some water softeners have a computerized valve that enables automatic regeneration. This saves a great deal of salt and water and is extremely valuable for busy individuals who might disregard their water softener’s regeneration cycles. 

With plenty of choices, you should ultimately pick a water softener that will work for your family and meet their water consumption needs regularly and consistently.

Know how to add water softener pellets to well system

Adding water softener pellets to your water softener becomes a familiar routine as you get familiarised with your system. When you start adding salt as part of your system’s maintenance, you can use the following tips to gauge the right way to add water softener pellets.

Assess The Brine Tank

Conduct standard checks of the water conditioner’s salt levels. It is just about as basic as opening the brine solution tank and checking if it is at least half full. If it’s not, top it off right away and lay out a timetable for doing this regularly.

Consider Your Softeners Age

The age of your water conditioner decides how much salt it uses. Much of the time, units older than a decade run on outdated water softener systems that use more salt than newer water softeners with advanced features.

With the more current systems, regeneration happens only when needed, which saves on salt. A portion of these cutting-edge systems will alert you when the salt level falls underneath satisfactory levels, making maintenance easier.

Adding salt to the water softener should normally be done after around two to six months. In any case, consistently look at the salt level to guarantee the water softener is working ideally.

Check For Salt Bridges Regularly

Salt bridges make it challenging to check how much salt to place in your water softener. Salt bridges have a layer of salt covering an air pocket. If you take a quick look at a salt bridge, you’ll think the salt tank is more full than it really is.

Assuming the salt level gives off an impression of being dubiously steady for longer than expected, take a small shovel and poke the highest layer. In the event that it’s a salt bridge, it will collapse and uncover your system’s actual levels.

How do you fix hard water from a well?

Hard water is what we call water that has a high concentration of dissolved materials, most notably magnesium and calcium.

While these hard minerals are not harmful to health on their own, they can result in the formation of lime-scale and mineral deposits within your pipes and appliances that can cause irreversible damage to them over extended periods. This leads to costly repairs and can be avoided by softening the hard water in your well.

Salt-based water softeners have been historically used for several decades and have proven to effectively fix hard water in a well. They soften water through an ion exchange process where hardness-causing ions such as magnesium and calcium are exchanged for neutral ions like sodium and potassium.

The sodium ions are supplied to your water softener’s brine tank, which is used by the resin beads to exchange ions as water flows through your water softener. The end result is water with sodium instead of magnesium or calcium. This water is called soft water and has several benefits, including working well with cleaning agents, preventing mineral deposits, and making your hair and skin feel cleaner and less dry. 

Other water softener systems such as reverse osmosis and UV purification can get rid of other contaminants found in your wells, such as iron, sulfur, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals.

When it comes to fixing hard water and removing hardness-causing minerals, however, salt-based water softeners are the most effective and long-lasting solution currently possible.

The Verdict

In the realm of water softeners for well water, Springwell water filter & salt based water softener undoubtedly emerges as the clear winner when compared to other prominent brands such as SoftPro, Whirlpool, Aquasana, and more. With its unparalleled filtration technology, effective water softening capabilities, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Springwell sets the gold standard for excellence in the industry.

While SoftPro, Whirlpool, and Aquasana may offer their own solutions, they simply cannot match the comprehensive and reliable performance delivered by Springwell’s Well Water Filter and Salt-Based Water Softener. Springwell’s advanced filtration media and salt-based water softening feature go above and beyond in tackling the unique challenges posed by well water, ensuring that every drop that reaches your tap is pure, refreshing, and luxuriously soft.

Moreover, Springwell’s dedication to providing exceptional customer service and support sets them apart from their competitors. Their easy installation process, user-friendly interface, and hassle-free maintenance make owning their water treatment system a seamless and enjoyable experience.

When it comes to choosing the best water softener for well water, Springwell’s superior quality, innovative technology, and commitment to customer satisfaction make it the undisputed champion among its peers. Trust in Springwell to transform your well water into an exceptional source of hydration and inspiration, and revel in the joy of pure, soft, and revitalizing water like never before.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will water softeners remove rust from well water?

Rust is one of the most common types of problems you may experience as a consequence of contaminated well water. Minerals in your water supply basically cause rust. There are two kinds of minerals in the water.

Ferrous iron minerals and non-ferrous or non-iron minerals. You don’t want either one of them in your pipes or appliances because they eventually lead to corrosion.

As the name suggests, ferrous minerals contain iron, and when these minerals get mixed with air or oxygen by being exposed to air, they can form a compound called iron oxide, also known as rust.

There are two types of ferrous minerals, hematite, and magnetite. Hematite is more likely to stain than magnetite because it has a higher iron content; however, both can cause staining if left untreated for too long.

Well water can contain rust in the form of iron oxide. This causes the water to look orange or brown, and it can also stain your clothes.

Water softeners are designed to remove mineral impurities in your water, most notably magnesium and calcium. It is possible to use a water softener to remove rust from your water, but there are a few factors to consider.

Not all water softeners are made with the same technology. Traditional water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove minerals from the water by exchanging them for sodium ions or potassium ions in an ion exchange resin tank inside the machine.

These softeners can easily remove iron oxide from your well water because iron oxide is similar in size to sodium ions, so it gets exchanged for them during the ion exchange process.

Water softeners that are designed for well water also include additional filters like a carbon block filter which makes them more effective at removing a wider variety of contaminants found in your well.

Water softeners can remove rust from well water as long as you choose the right type of water softener for your unique circumstances.

2. What causes well water to be hard?

Hard water is what we call water with a high amount of dissolved minerals, most notably magnesium and calcium. These minerals are typical characteristics of hard water and are responsible for lime-scale and other damaging consequences of hard water.

If you’re wondering whether or not your water supply is causing hard water, it’s important to know a little about how hard water is formed and how it affects your health.

Hard water is formed when dissolved mineral salts are deposited in an area’s soil. The water then passes through this soil, picking up these minerals along the way. The more minerals there are in an area’s soil, the harder its water will tend to be.

If you have well water, you may have noticed that it can sometimes taste salty or bitter, which are both signs that your well has been contaminated with too many minerals. If this happens consistently over time, it could lead to problems like corrosion damage to household appliances and fixtures.

Well water is prone to contamination from multiple sources depending on where you live. If hardness-causing minerals are abundant in your area, it is possible for them to seep into the natural aquifers that supply your well. 

3. How do you get minerals out of well water?

Well water is water that comes from a well, as opposed to being piped in from a city or municipal source. Well water is great because it’s usually much purer than tap water, but it can also be hard to get rid of any undesirable elements like minerals in your well water. 

Minerals are naturally occurring elements found in rocks and dirt, which can be dissolved by rainwater into your well system. In small amounts, minerals aren’t necessarily harmful; however, if there are too many dissolved minerals in your drinking water supply, they can become problematic for your health and overall wellbeing.

For example, increased hardness levels with minerals and iron can cause iron deficiency, anemia, and magnesium oxide may lead to diarrhea.

The best way you can get minerals out of well water is by using a water softener. A water softener is a machine that uses ion exchange to remove the minerals from your water. It works by exchanging the magnesium and calcium in your water with sodium ions. To use one, all you have to do is install it, add salt, and let it run for a while.

The amount of time it takes to remove the minerals in your water depends on how much mineral content there is in your water supply. If you’re going to be using the softening system for a long time, consider getting one that has an automatic timer so that you don’t have to remember when to add more salt, which enables you to save money and effort on maintenance.

4.  Does water softener make well water smell better?

Bad odor is mostly caused by impurities and contaminants in your water supply. For example, sulfur can cause the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs, and iron can cause your water to smell stale and rusty.

Water softeners work to remove impurities and contaminants found in your well water, which commonly includes minerals and chemicals that cause a bad odor. By removing these minerals, water softeners can cause your well water to smell better when it reaches your taps and appliances. 

5. How to add water softener pellets to well system?

Adding water softener pellets to your well system becomes a regular activity that you can gain familiarity with as you start using your water softener. Water softeners use salt as the medium to provide ions for the ion-exchange technology found in water softeners.

Usually, you will have to refill your water softener’s brine tank during what is known as the regeneration cycle.

Fresh salt carries sodium ions to your water softener’s resin tank, where the resin beads exchange them for the harmful mineral ions found in hard water. Water softeners usually come with information in their user manuals that describe factors like grain capacity, which tells you how much hard water your system can treat and how long its regeneration cycle is.

You can add water softener pellets to your well system in a timely manner by understanding more about your system’s regeneration cycle. 

If you do not want to worry about physically refilling your salt on time, you can invest in a water softener that has automatic timers and can create on-demand regeneration only when it is needed. This makes maintenance easier and also saves money on salt and water expenses. 

6. Do water softeners take chlorine out of well water?

Your water softener should always be installed after your well tank. If it is installed before the well tank, your water flow can be compromised because of the small inlet pipes.

It can also get clogged and fail to backwash successfully. This can ultimately damage your pipes and fixtures as well as your water softener. Installing your water softener after the well tank will ensure consistent water pressure and ensure your well tank works properly.

If you are using a water softener with your well’s pressure tank, make sure that your water softener is installed only after the well tank.

7. What is the best setting for water softener for well water?

Hard water can range from 1 to 99 grains per gallon. Usually, the settings on your water softener correspond to how hard your water is. If your water hardness is measured at around ten grains per gallon, the hardness setting on your water softener should also be ten grains per gallon.

You cannot, however, choose how hard or soft you want your water to be. Your water softener will soften your water with no adjustment in between. 

You can also take into account other common contaminants while adjusting the hardness setting of your water softener. For example, add five to the hardness number for each pm of iron in your water supply.

If your water hardness is ten gpg (grains per gallon) and you have two ppm of iron, you can consider your overall hardness number as 20 gpg. This is the hardness setting that you can then use in your water softener to ensure a consistent supply of soft water.

In general, soft water is in between 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) of dissolved minerals. 61 t0 120 mg/L is considered moderately hard, 120 to 180 mg/L is hard water, and past 180 mg/L is extremely hard water.

Whatever hardness your water measures, with the inclusion of other contaminants, should be able to let you know what settings to use with your water softener for well water.

8. Do water softeners take chlorine out of well water?

Water softeners come in a variety of models and use different technology. Traditional salt-based water softeners cannot remove chlorine by themselves.

Water softeners that can remove chlorine from your well water usually come with secondary attachments like a carbon filter that can efficiently remove chlorine from your well water. Add-ons and extra attachments are becoming more commonplace in the water softener industry.

If you are looking for a water softener that can remove chlorine from your well water, make sure that it has the required features or add-ons that make it possible. On its own, a water softener will only remove hardness-causing minerals like magnesium and calcium and cannot successfully remove chlorine from your water supply.

6. Do you need water conditioner for well water?

Water conditioners differ from water softeners as they do not truly remove contaminants but change the composition of water to stop crystals from scaling on your pipes or fixtures.

Hardness-causing minerals are converted into a crystal form that is not soluble in water, so they harmlessly pass through your water flow without causing any damage.

Water conditioners typically have lower maintenance requirements and running costs which make them a good alternative to a water softener.

In addition to removing hardness-causing minerals, water conditioners can improve the taste and smell of your water, which makes them particularly effective if your well water is full of contaminants that affect the drinking quality of your water.

If you have found out that your well water is hard and has poor drinking quality, a water conditioner can be a great investment to provide clean and safe water on a regular basis without needing a lot of time or money.

Conclusion

Well water is often considered a safer alternative to city water, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to contamination. While it’s true that most contaminants are filtered out before they reach your faucet, many potential issues can cause your well water to become contaminated.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to what’s in your well water. You turn on the faucet, get a glass of water, and go about your day. Have you ever wondered what exactly is in your well water? Is it safe to drink? What can you do if your well becomes contaminated?

The quality of your well water and how contaminated it may be will depend on where you live. For example, if your area has been hit by heavy rain or flooding, or both, there’s a chance that the groundwater near your home has been contaminated with harmful chemicals and bacteria.

Those chemicals and bacteria could be making their way into your drinking water supply right now. If this is the case, then it is natural to wonder about the safety of your well water.

What’s more, some states require homeowners with private wells to test their water regularly for harmful contaminants like lead or arsenic. Not all states require testing as often as others, and even when they do, not all wells are tested regularly enough to ensure safety. One study revealed that only 5% of homes in North Carolina were tested at least once per year. 

If your well water is contaminated, it is natural to worry about the health and safety of your family members. Common contaminants like magnesium and calcium are not particularly harmful to human health but can damage your pipes and appliances.

Luckily, there are solutions available to ensure your water supply is clean and safe. A time-tested and reliable method is installing a trustworthy water softener that can remove magnesium, calcium, and other harmful contaminants to provide soft water.

Soft water has several benefits that can ensure your family’s health and happiness. This article covers several helpful tips about water softeners for well water that has hopefully empowered you to make the best decision for you and your family.

About The Author

Our Web Producer

Judith— a passionate water treatment specialist — is a waste water management enthusiast, clean drinking water advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about various water equipments. Her work was mentioned in countless notable water associations. Previously she was an editor at Water Alliance.