Well Water (Frederick, Arnold, Cape St. Claire: renting, lenders, new home)

[mbieber1029]

I am in the process of getting a house in Cape St. Claire. The house will have well water. Anybody with experience using well water? Anything in particular I should know about? I have known people who have spent their whole lives with well water and never had any concerns or issues but I was just looking for any information, good or bad. The house already has a brand new water softener which I know is good to have with well water. Thanks in advance!

[jallison27]

Have a whole house filter ($40 at HD or Lowes) with a clear bowl installed prior to the water softener. In addition, don't drink the water unless you have a reverse osmosis system installed ($150-200 at HD or Lowes). Well water in this area has a lot of iron and sodium.

[mbieber1029]

Are both of those things suggestions or would you say requirements? I will definitely be drinking the water because I can't imagine how else I would get water. Bottled water is a rip off and an absolute detriment to our environment.

[Debi18]

I don't know about the water in that area but I've been on well water for the last 16 years in Frederick County with just a water filter/neutralizer system attached to the regular holding tank. I drink the water, it tastes fine and never had any problems. Although some people love them I wouldn't want a water softer because I think they make the water too soft, skin feel slimy and eternal flat hair. No thanks.

[North Beach Person]

Whether you need a softener or not will depend on your location and what aquifer your well is in. Folks I know in the area you're going to generally have softeners. You also may get into a rotten egg smell, a lot of times that is caused by the material in the dip tube and elements used (if electric water heater).

[rubytue]

Originally Posted by jallison27

Have a whole house filter ($40 at HD or Lowes) with a clear bowl installed prior to the water softener. In addition, don't drink the water unless you have a reverse osmosis system installed ($150-200 at HD or Lowes). Well water in this area has a lot of iron and sodium.

And a water softener adds sodium It replaced CaCl2 with NaCl

We have well water, no filters, no softners. I love it! It tastes so much better than the public water in this county (Harford). We had public water while renting, and it was so chlorinated the cat wouldn't even drink it.

[mbieber1029]

since the water softener is brand new it is not going anywhere. My parents had a water softener for most of my life and I never had any issues with the water, though they were not on well water. The water we would drink would actually come through the front of the new refrigerator so I believe it is being filtered there but I am not sure.

[marielally]

If you are concerned about contamination (chemical, lead or bacteria) you can have a water quality test performed...it is inexpensive. If you are purchasing the home, most lenders will require a water quality test anyway to ensure that the water is indeed potable (VA and FHA require a water quality test...conventional may or may not require it). It is recommended by some of the inspectors that I have dealt with to chlorinate your well annually, too...

I am personally not a fan of water softeners for the same reason Debi18 and rubytue stated ... nor am I a fan of reverse osmosis systems as they remove minerals and lower pH, turning water acidic. I drink my well water straight from the tap - it tastes good and I have never had any issues...

Good luck with your new home!

[lau3]

The only problem my friends have in Arnold who have well water is when they get their hair highlighted or colored. They have to tell their hairdressers so they can put special chemicals in their hair. Not what you really asked about, but they always complain when they have to go to get their hair done. lol.

[Pilgrim21784]

Carroll County resident, been on my well for 26 years with no problems. I do use an acid neutralizer and iron treatment system. Definitely have your water checked and I have mine rechecked every 3 years or so just to keep an eye on it.