You may be wondering why the order of installation matters when you’re using a Water Filtration system and a Water Softener. If they’re both for improving the quality of the water, why would it matter which system the water runs through first? Well, it’s actually very important. Let’s learn why that is.
If you’re installing a Central Water Filtration system or a Whole Home Water Filtration System, here’s what we suggest:
For city water, the filtration system should be installed before the water softener. This is because city water typically has chlorine (a disinfectant) in it and that can wear on certain parts of a softener (specifically the resin) so we want the water to go through the filtration system first.
For well water, the filtration system should be installed after the water softener. This is because well water usually doesn’t have chlorine in it, but often has iron and sediment (tiny particles) in it. The filtration system can help reduce bigger pieces of sediment that can get through the water softener.
Important things to note:
- Always refer to your manual for specific product information and usage.
- Chlorine can produce a certain taste in the water and the central water filtration system is meant to reduce that effect. It is not designed to reduce iron or hydrogen sulfide (the rotten egg smell.)
- Neither a Central Water Filtration system or Whole Home Water Filtration system are meant to replace a sediment filter. You may want to look into a sediment filter or an iron filter if you have water that has very small sediment pieces or iron.
- Do not use either of these filtration systems with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.