The common sources of water are underground (well water) and lakes, rivers, streams (surface water.) Municipalities obtain water from both underground and surface sources, treat the water, and then deliver the water to households and commercial buildings. A municipal water supply is known as a public water supply. There is also a private supply of water, known as private wells. A private well is located on a property, and supplies a house or building directly with water.

There are some major differences between municipal water and private well water. Municipal water is filtered at large treatments before it is delivered for residential and commercial use. Additionally, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates municipal water quality. The EPA sets certain standards when it comes to the presence of contaminants in the water. There is very little government regulation on private well water. Usually, private well water is only required to be checked for microbiological contaminations (bacteria and viruses.) The owner of a private well is responsible for testing and maintaining the water quality.

The reality is that there are hundreds of different contaminants found in all water sources (in municipal and private wells.) The only difference is that the private well owner must take care of all the testing and filtering of the well water. First, let’s examine some common toxic water contaminants that exist in private well water.

Some frequently occurring well water contaminants include Bacteria, Arsenic, Iron, Hydrogen Sulfide, Nitrates, Nitrite, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), heavy metals, pesticides, Radon, Manganese, and many more. This is just a brief list of all the harmful contaminants that are likely to be found in private well water. Arsenic in water is poisonous and cause many problems such as stomach pain, paralysis, blindness. Nitrogen in well water can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), which poses fatal risks to infants and toddlers. Hydrogen Sulfide in well water is not necessarily harmful to your health, but causes foul unpleasant smells, known as “rotten egg odor.” The list of harmful symptoms of water contaminants goes on and on.

So now you know about all of the potential dangers and problems in the water that comes from your well. The next step is to have the water tested. First, contact local health departments or even municipal water suppliers and find out about the local water quality. You can also use water test kits to check water for certain contaminants. The best option is to have your water tested with an independent laboratory. This way, you are guaranteed comprehensive, detailed, objective and accurate results. Once you receive the test results for your well water, you can start shopping for a water filter.

Different water filters are designed to remover specific water contaminants. Therefore, it is important to know exactly the type of contaminants found in your well water. Reverse Osmosis water filters are very effective at removing a wide range of contaminants. Ultraviolet water filers are the most effective at killing bacteria and viruses. Activated Carbon water filters are the best at removing Radon (toxic gas), VOC’s, and bad tastes/odors. Choose the water filter that is going to combat the specific problems of your well water. For best results, you want to choose a water filter that combines these technologies.

A private well should be purified with a whole house water filter. This type of water filter provides clean water for the entire household, rather than just one sink. This well filter connects directly to the main line, and filters all incoming water. A whole house water filter for a well is a large system that provides the most comprehensive filtering available on the market. The water filter must be installed by a professional plumber. Common maintenance of a whole house filter for a well includes filter cartridge replacements, and backwashes (depending on the model.)

An excellent solution to filtering well water is the Rhino Whole House Water Filter from Aquasana. This state of the art water filter purifies water through four stages. The first stage includes a 5-micron sediment prefilter that uses replaceable cartridges to clean any particles larger than 5 micron. The second stage is formulated with a patentent zinc/copper mineral media (KDF) that filters out chlorine. The third stage enhances taste and clarity with bituminous activated carbon (charcoal), one of the most frequently used materials for water filtration. The last stage of the water filter includes a high-grade coconut shell activated carbon, which is very effective at contaminant absorption.

The Rhino Whole House Water Filter has a flow rate of 8 gpm (gallons per minute) and a filter capacity (lifetime) of 300,000 gallons. This water filter does not require backflushes, so it minimizes use of water. The water filter is compatible with a .75 inch water input/output line, and a 1 inch is available by special request. The Rhino Whole House Water Filter has a capacity for homes up to 3,200 square feet. Homes larger than this size are recommended to install two of the water filter models. Get the Rhino Whole House Water Filter right now for only $799.00. Enjoy purified and safe water from your private well today!