Best Water Softeners and Treatment Systems
Common issues that require water treatment include hard water, chemical or virus removal, UV treatment and water quality. Use our guide to research the best water softener or treatment system for you. Water treatment systems are designed to solve different specific problems, so we recommend consumers determine their precise needs before shopping for a water treatment system.
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| Residential water treatment company offering filtration, softening and pool water solutions. Customers can set up a water consultation with a local expert. Water tests are also available. Most products include warranties. |  | ||||
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| Offers eco-friendly, salt-free solutions to hard water, including water softeners, micron filters and carbon filters. The flagship Manor + Taste Systems costs $1,499. The Home Softener System costs $649. Financing is available. |  | Call Center Open (855) 644-4397 | |||
Comprehensive exterior coating systems. Exclusive, in-house paint brand. Customized water filtration systems. Brita PRO authorized dealer. Free, in-home consultation. 30-year warranty. Local experts. Serves central Florida. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
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| Produces three series of non-electric water softeners, drinking water systems, reverse osmosis and whole-home water filters to fit home and lifestyle needs. Systems are low maintenance, efficient and fully automatic. |  | Get Started | |||
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| Offers whole-house and point-of-use water filtration and conditioning solutions. Free in-home water test and consultation. EarthSafe sustainable technology available. Eco-friendly and money-saving laundry system. |  | ||||
Features various brands of water softener, filter and UV purification systems. Softener prices start at $712.50. Most systems have optimal flow rate and use upflow technology. Offers 5-10 year or lifetime warranty. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Carries 3 brands of water filters and softeners that bear the NSF seal. Economy softeners start at $439 and run on either upflow or backflow technology, use less salt and water and come with 5-10 year or lifetime warranty. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers whole home, commercial and industrial water filtration and softening systems along with water delivery that starts at $9.99. Its most advanced softener features smart sensors that allow you to customize water softness. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Sells filtration products, such as pitchers, water bottles, faucet filters, dispensers and replacement filters. Wi-Fi-connected pitchers are priced $19.99-$47.99. Standard pitcher filters use coconut-based activated carbon. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers no-salt, no-chemical hard water conditioning solutions. Features a high-quality coconut fiber filter free from harmful chemical additives and an advanced reverse osmosis for drinking water that retains the good minerals. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Sells faucet and pitcher filtration systems and filter replacements. Faucet filters are priced $19.99-$44.99, and pitcher filters are $7.99-$24.99. Its faucet filters eliminate more than 70 contaminants, 99% of which is lead. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers 4 water treatment systems for residential application and 3 for commercial operations, available through dealers. They work without electricity and feature no-salt filtration and green technology. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Provides water treatment, water softeners and filters. Price range for filters is $59-$159. Softeners feature multi-compartment tanks and use electronic injection and laser welding. Major items come with a 25-year warranty. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers salt-free water softener, filtration and disinfection systems. Softener alternative doesn’t need tank exchanges or replacement filters. Provides in-home installation and service. Gives free consultations and estimates. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
| Read Author Review | Offers in-home water filtration systems. Multiple types of systems available, including under-the-sink and whole-home models. Uses recycled materials. Whole-home filters start at $649. Replacement filters start at $8. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
| Read Author Review | Specializes in filtered pitchers, water bottles, showerhead filters, under-sink systems and refrigerator filters. Utilizes Affinity Filtration dual-technology to remove an average of 99.7% of more than 200 contaminants. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
| Read Author Review | Features filter systems, drinking water systems, specialty treatment systems and water softeners. Softeners have single or dual tanks, run on electricity or water power and regenerate on demand. Carry 1-10-year warranties. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
| Read Author Review | Specializes in water filter systems, softeners and filter-softener combos. Sells well water systems. Whole-house water filter systems cost $700 to $1,500. The company provides a six-month money-back guarantee. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
What is a water treatment system?
Water treatment systems are used to improve the quality of the water in a household, business, restaurant or elsewhere. If a municipality’s water treatment system is not sufficient, or if a consumer is relying on water from a well source, then a home water treatment system becomes a viable option for cleaner, safer water. One example of this is softening hard water, which involves removing harmful contaminants or filtering out sediment or other particles. This allows previously unsuitable water to become drinkable and fit for household chores and other daily activities. Other water treatment systems remove unwanted chemicals from water.
How does water treatment work?
There are a variety of household water treatment systems that work in different ways. Water softeners remove magnesium and calcium in order to soften water. Reverse osmosis systems uses a semipermeable membrane to remove large particles from water. Other filtration systems can target specific problem areas, like high sediment or a chlorine taste, and focus on removing the offending substances. No matter how they work, all water treatment systems have the same aim of producing high-quality water for consumers and their families.
How to choose a water treatment system
1. Decide what contaminants to target
Water treatment systems remove a variety of different contaminants from water. The specific contaminants present in your water will help determine which type of water treatment system you want to buy.
- Bacteria: Bacteria often lives in well water or other untreated water. Water treatment systems with UV radiation, distillation or reverse osmosis disinfection methods kill the bacteria that infect water and might make drinkers sick.
- Minerals: Large concentrations of minerals result in hard water. Water softeners that use an ion-exchange resin are the natural solutions to hard water, though you can also rely on water treatment systems using active carbon filters, reverse osmosis, filtration and distillation.
- Multi-contaminant removal: Some of the contaminants removed by water treatment systems include heavy metals from construction projects or damaged pipes that cause water to taste metallic, sediment that has gotten into a water supply through construction work and makes water appear muddy and brown; and chlorine added by public water companies to disinfect water sources, which gives water a strong chemical taste.
2. Compare home system options
Water treatment systems remove contaminants from your water as it flows into your house or as you use it.
- Point of entry systems: Point of entry water treatment systems are able to treat all of the water entering a home or business and are installed after a water meter or storage tank. This ensures that all water used within the house, whether it comes from a faucet, showerhead or laundry machine, has been treated. Point of entry systems are also known as whole house water treatment systems.
- Point of use systems: These water treatment systems are used where people directly access the water, like a kitchen sink or a showerhead.
- Multi-system installations: Multi-system installations allow for several different types of water treatment, such as treating hardness with water softeners and removing pollutants via reverse osmosis.
3. Determine the source of your water
Where your water comes from will determine what sort of treatment it must undergo in order to be suitable for everyday use. Water treatment systems can treat water coming from a range of different sources.
- Groundwater and water from lakes and rivers: Most water coming through the tap in your home originates underground or from a freshwater body. This common type of water is used for drinking and bathing in homes and businesses all over the United States. It is possible that this water has high levels of particulate matter or is overly chlorinated.
- Brackish water: Brackish water is water that is part saltwater and part freshwater, which is often collected in estuaries. Brackish water can be collected and treated by water treatment companies to desalinate (using reverse osmosis). Then it can be used for irrigation or watering gardens and lawns.
- Surface water: There are water treatment systems companies that specialize in treating surface water, which is collected rainwater or water at the top of a natural body of water. These companies collect the fresh surface water and use treatment to remove algae, bacteria and solids from the water in order to make it safe to drink or bathe with.
4. Choose if you want to be eco-friendly
All water softeners do have wastewater that can be hazardous. In this sense, no water treatment system is 100 percent eco-friendly. Still, there are options for consumers looking to reduce their impact on the environment.
- Green filtration companies: There are some water filtration companies that filter water with the environment in mind, and they only use green materials and products.
- Eco-friendly options: Some water treatment systems companies offer customers eco-friendly products and services, like salt-free treatments, which use significantly less water to filter water than a traditional salt-based system.
- Traditional water treatment systems companies: Many water treatment systems companies use traditional technology and products, and they are not particularly focused on environmental-friendliness.
5. Understand maintenance requirements
Performing proper maintenance on your water treatment system is a must if you want it to continue working, and it’s always wise to follow best practices.
- No maintenance required: Some water treatment companies handle all maintenance for water treatment systems, including installation and regular check-ins and updates.
- Minimal maintenance: There are some water treatment systems that require minimal maintenance from customers, like checking filters to see if they are clogged or dirty or watching monitors on filters that change color when they are ready to be replaced.
- Customer maintained: Some water treatment systems require complete maintenance by the customer. This might involve tasks like replacing filters regularly or adding salt to water softeners.
Types of water treatment
The type of water treatment system you need will depend largely on what you want to achieve. Certain methods only remove physical impurities, others chemical impurities, while some remove both. The most common types of water treatment systems include:
- Water softeners
Water softeners take hard water and make it soft. Hard water has a high level of minerals making it unpleasant to drink or use. Water softeners remove certain minerals, including calcium and magnesium, to soften the water. - Water conditioners
The term “water conditioners” applies to a wide variety of products that remove impurities from water. They do not, like water softeners, specifically reduce water hardness. Some remove chlorine, improving the flavor of water. - Activated carbon filters
Activated carbon filters use beds of activated carbon to remove contaminants from water. This is done through the process of chemical absorption, where contaminants are trapped within the porous structure of the carbon filter. Carbon filters remove chlorine, taste and odor from water. If you feel that your home’s water has too strong of a taste that you would like to neutralize, a water treatment system with a carbon filter might be a good choice. - UV filters (Ultraviolet)
Companies that use UV technology utilize UV rays to disinfect water and kill bacteria. If your water source is a well or another source that might host harmful bacteria, then a UV filter water treatment system will serve you well. - Distillation
Distillation is not as commonly used as it was in the past, but it does have a long history and is an effective method of treating water. The water is boiled and, as the water turns into steam, it is collected, leaving contaminants behind. - Reverse osmosis
Some water treatment systems rely on reverse osmosis, a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (such as salts) are removed from a solution (such as water). This is accomplished by normal household water pressure pushing tap water through a semipermeable membrane. A reverse osmosis system is a good choice if you want to remove particulate matter from your water. It also makes water taste more neutral.
Water Treatment Systems FAQ
What is a whole house water filtration system?
A water filtration system is a unit that connects to your main water line and improves the water quality in a house by making it cleaner and safer. Water treatment systems can soften hard water, remove unwanted chemicals and improve the taste.
Is a water softener worth it?
Yes. Hard water causes a variety of problems and is unpleasant to drink. The high mineral content in hard water leaves mineral deposits that build up in plumbing, bathroom fixtures and tiles. Hard water also dries out your skin and hair.
How much is a well water treatment system?
A well water treatment system typically costs between $700 and $3,000. The average cost is around $1,800. Costs vary depending on the type of treatment your well water needs, which can include:
- UV filters
- Distillation
- Reverse osmosis
How do you purify water from a well?
Well water often has bacteria living in it. To purify the water, you need a water treatment system with distillation, reverse osmosis or UV radiation.
How much should it cost to have a water softener installed?
It should cost you between $200 to $300 to install a basic water softener unit that regenerates manually. For a water softener with a timed or metered system, professional installation costs anywhere between $800 and $3,000.
How do I choose a water softener?
When you're choosing a water softener, you need to factor in the number of people in your household and how hard your water is. To calculate the unit size:
- Multiply the number of people in your house by 80, which is the number of gallons the average person uses per day.
- Use a water test kit to determine the grains of hardness in your water.
- Multiply the grain amount with the total number of gallons to be used.
This number gives you an idea of the unit you need to handle your hard water requirements.
What are the different types of water softeners?
The different types of water softeners are:
- Ion exchangers are the most common type of water softener. They use salt to remove magnesium, calcium and other unwanted minerals.
- Salt-free softeners use a mineral other than salt, typically potassium, to remove unwanted minerals in your water.
- Dual tank water softeners use two mineral tanks that provide a continuous supply of soft water.
- Magnetic/electric softeners attach to your pipes and prevent buildup. They’re an affordable option compared with water softener units.
How long do water softeners last?
Water softeners generally last 10 to 15 years. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your water softener.
Are water filters effective?
Yes, water filters are effective for specific needs, but they have limitations. They improve water by removing contaminants but do not remove bacteria. To remove bacteria, you need a water treatment system with a UV filter, distillation process or reverse osmosis process that kills bacteria.
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Author reviews for water treatment system companies
RainSoft Water Treatment Systems is a company that offers residential customers water and air purification services. The company is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL, and they serve customers throughout the world.
- Convenience: There are hundreds of dealers across the world that can install RainSoft products, so the company is a convenient choice for customers throughout many parts of the United States and the world.
- Complimentary water test: The company provides customers with complimentary water tests to see if they are good candidates for water treatment or filtration.
- Taste and smell: RainSoft guarantees that their product will reduce unwanted smells and tastes in consumers' water, which makes it better to drink, wash food with, cook with and bathe in.
- Safe filtration methods: RainSoft uses activated carbon filtration, which is a method that has been deemed safe for use by the Environmental Protection Agency, and they do not use any harsh chemical products in their purification process.
- Movable: The filtration systems manufactured by RainSoft can be moved from home to home, which means customers can take their system with them when they move and that they do not have to purchase multiple systems if they end up choosing to live in multiple homes.
Pelican Water Systems is a salt free water treatment system company that was founded in 2007. The company, headquartered in Deland, Florida, specializes in filtration more than softening, although they do both. They are well known for creating drinking water that tastes fresh and clean.
- Eco-friendly: The company is run with a focus on the environment and sustainability, and they are a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Whole home systems: Pelican Water sells whole home systems to filter or soften the water that comes to every tap or faucet of a house.
- DIY installation: The systems sold by Pelican require only simple, DIY installation, which is a budget-friendly option. Professionals from the company can also install the systems.
- Free shipping: The company promises free shipping for all of their treatment systems and products.
- Community giving: Pelican Water Systems gives back to organizations in their community, and they support organizations including American Cancer Society and International Bird Rescue.
Discount Water Softeners has been offering commercial and residential water treatment solutions for over 25 years. It sells, services and installs water softeners, iron filters, reverse osmosis systems, sulfur filters and more. Consumers can order products online with free shipping, as well as take advantage of multiple online sales and specials.
Quality Water Treatment offers customers water treatment equipment and parts at discount prices. They also offer free lifetime technical support for all products purchased through their website. Choose from products like water filters, whole-house water treatment systems, water softeners and more.
Kinetico Water Systems offers water softeners and reverse osmosis systems for your home. Kinetico was among the first companies to offer nonelectric, fully automatic water treatment systems. Kinetico’s systems are powered by moving water, which keeps your cost down for operation and repairs.
- Nonelectric systems: Kinetico’s water treatment systems do not run on electricity. They use the movement of the water they contain to power their own filtration systems. This process keeps operation and repair costs low.
- Free water testing and quotes: If you’re not sure if you need water treatment, you can schedule a free water test with Kinetico’s experts. You can also receive free quotes on any system you need.
- Water softeners: Kinetico has several different options for water softeners. From compact, simple systems to full systems for hard water.
- Drinking water filters: Kinetico has several different options for drinking water filtration. You can purchase a full filtration system or a smaller filtration tap.
- Specialty solutions: Kinetico also sells several different specialty solutions for water that needs filtering. Aerators and dechlorinators are available to help remove chemicals and minerals from your water systems.
NuvoH2O sells salt-free, whole-home water softener systems. The company has three system options, including a water softener system with a taste system for homes looking to reduce odor and poor tap water taste and have water quality similar to that of bottled water. Other products include carbon filters and micron filters.
- Nuvo Systems: The company has three offerings: The NuvoH2O Home Softener System designed for homes with one to three residents, the NuvoH2O Manor Softener System designed for homes with four to eight residents and the Manor Softener + Taste System, which is designed for homes with four to eight residents who also experience foul-smelling or tasting water and want clean drinking water.
- Cost: Prices range from $649 to $949, and financing is available. The Manor + Taste water softener/water filter combo goes for $949, and the Taste Filter is available as a standalone product for $599. Cartridge replacements are available from $45 to $90.
- Life span: The systems are designed to treat and descale around 50,000 gallons of water before the filters or cartridges need to be replaced.
- Environmentally friendly: Many water treatment systems on the market use salt to treat the water, which can damage the environment. Nuvo H2O specializes in salt-free systems. The system’s softening agent works to lower pH levels and chelation.
- Experienced employees: Customers can use NuvoH2O’s installer locator to connect with more than 1,000 experienced installers across the U.S. and Canada.
Culligan got its start in 1936 and is now the leader in home water delivery as well as in-home, commercial and industrial water filtration and treatment services. It is different than most water delivery services because it doesn’t make or bottle the water it delivers; instead, Culligan specializes in water treatment systems and softeners. Water delivery services from Culligan start at $9.99 per month.
Easy Water has been treating water for homeowners for more than 25 years. The company has an environmentally-friendly focus, using natural products to treat water, and they are headquartered in Fishers, Indiana.
LifeSource Water has been treating water for customers across America since 1984. They use a healthy and natural process to get rid of hard water, remove bad taste or odors from water and eliminate scale left behind by water in showers, tubs and sinks.
Martin Water Conditioning treats water in Pennsylvania and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic. The company has been in business for more than 40 years, and they are headquartered in Myerstown, PA.
- Certified employees: The company has more than 40 employees who are certified with the Water Quality Association, so they are knowledgeable experts about water treatment.
- Spot-free car rinse systems: In addition to treating drinking water, the company also has a system to treat water with which customers wash their cars, to ensure water does not leave spots on the car after the wash.
- Environmentally informed: Martin has four water system operators that are certified with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which means they are informed about eco-friendly and sustainable water treatment practices.
- Free water analysis: The company offers prospective customers a free water analysis test to see if their water needs conditioning, filtration or treatment.
- Agricultural water treatment: Martin Water specializes in treating water near agricultural areas that might be affected by herd, livestock and poultry operations.
Aquasana offers water filters for at-home use. Its products are designed to filter out the most common contaminants without adding chemicals or odors to your water. You can purchase Aquasana products on its website or at your local hardware store.
- Type of water treatment: Aquasana offers whole-house water filtration systems. The company also sells under-sink filters for people who only want filtered water from one tap.
- NSF-certified: Aquasana’s filters are NSF-certified to reduce 77 water contaminants
- Products: Aquasana offers under-sink water filters, countertop water filters, shower filters, whole-house filters and replacement filters.
- Price range: Aquasana’s replacement filters start at $8, its under-sink filters start at $99.99 and whole-house filters start at $649.
- Eco-friendly treatment options: Aquasana prioritizes the eco-friendliness of its products by manufacturing them with recycled ingredients.
Clearly Filtered water pitchers are made with premium medical-grade plastics that are free of BPA, BPS and EA. Customers can select from pitchers, under-sink systems and more to filter out heavy metals like fluoride, lead and chromium-6.
- Clearly Filtered products: The company sells filtered pitchers, water bottles, showerhead filters, under-sink systems, refrigerator filters, replacement filters and combo packs.
- Cost: Water pitchers prices start around $75, and replacement filters range from $35 to $50 each. Showerhead filters range from $85 to $100. Water bottle prices range from $15 to $50.
- Customer service: Clearly Filtered customer service representatives are available over the phone during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT.
- Certified: The company’s filtration technology is independently tested and certified by EPA-approved third-party laboratories.
Springwell water filter systems, softeners and filter-softener combo systems are designed, built and packaged in the United States. The company is endorsed by the National Testing Laboratories and is a member of the Water Quality Association.
- Springwell Water products: In addition to whole-house filters, Springwell offers salt-free or salt-based water softeners, dual-system filters, well water systems, reverse osmosis systems, water testing kits and replacement water filters.
- Cost: Whole house water filter systems are priced at $700 to $1,500. Water filter and salt-free water softeners prices start at around $2,000. Financing programs are available for qualified applicants.
- Customer service: Springwell customer service representatives are available by phone during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
- Guarantee: Springwell provides a six-month money-back guarantee on water treatment systems and a lifetime warranty on tanks and valves.
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
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