Find the Best Water Treatment Systems in Boston, MA

How to choose a water treatment system in Boston

Water softeners and treatment systems aren’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re interested in improving your water quality, there are a few key variables you need to assess before you buy. These include the types of contaminations you want to target, your water source, whether you’re interested in eco-friendly options and the level of maintenance and upkeep.

Additionally, it’s important to compare different types of water filter system options.
Common options include:

• Whole house water filters: Whole home/house water filters can also be referred to as a point-of-entry tap. This system is installed where the main water line comes into your home. Whole home water filter systems bring filtered water into every tap in your home. There are a variety of whole systems with different filters. All water filters are designed to remove impurities and any odor. This could be sediments, hardness, bacteria or dirt. Systems and filters can be customized after a water test, ensuring to target concerns specific to your home.
• Water softeners: Hard water and mineral build-up can eventually clog pipes. Water softeners remove high concentrations of magnesium and calcium. There are a few water softener options.
1. Salt softeners: Salt softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove hard water minerals. When the water flows through the salt-based softener, the salts exchange with the calcium and magnesium to create soft water.
2. Salt-free softeners: Salt-free softeners use a process called Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) to convert the hard minerals to a crystal that will not stick. Salt-free softeners are also called water conditioners, as they neutralize the minerals.
3. Eco-friendly water softeners: Salt-free and ultraviolet (UV) water softeners are two eco-friendly options. Salt-free softeners do not require electricity to run and don’t create wastewater. UV softeners help protect from potentially harmful bacteria. These factors make both softeners more natural and eco-friendly.
• UV disinfection: UV disinfection can destroy potentially harmful bacteria by exposing it to UV light. This keeps the bacteria and pathogens from reproducing. This disinfection won’t affect water taste and can be easy to install and maintain.
• Water conditioners: Water conditioners are typically salt-free systems that remove substances that can change the water taste and smell. These include chlorine, chloramines, organic gasses and lead. Some conditioners filter out the chemicals while others alter the physical structure.
• Reverse osmosis:Reverse osmosis happens when water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane, which de-mineralizes or de-ionizes that water. This purifies the water while keeping back the contaminants.
• Activated carbon filters: Many water filtration systems use activated carbon filters in some way. Activated carbon filters remove contaminants through absorption. These filters are ideal for removing chlorine, organic chemicals, chloroform and other chemicals.
• Water distillation: Water distillation is a process where water is boiled until it evaporates and condenses. This leaves behind impurities, compounds and minerals, creating clean water.

Different water filtration systems and purifiers will have different installation and maintenance needs. Most water purification companies will provide installation, repair and ongoing maintenance services. Some small-scale systems may be able to be maintained on your own. When working with a water treatment system company, be sure to ask what type of maintenance is required. Additionally, find out what warranties and money-back guarantees are offered to best protect yourself.

How much do water treatment systems cost in Boston?

The average cost of a water treatment system in Boston is $3,136. Prices can start as low as $650 and cap out at $5,500, with a typical range of $2,093 to $4,178. Pricing starts with the filtration system type. For example, a single under-sink system could cost as little as $150, while a whole-house system will start at around $1,000. Several factors affect the overall cost, including:

• Self vs. professional installation
• Home size
• Geographic location
• Filtration rating
• Brand

Another important budget consideration is that water bills can be higher for homes with water treatment systems. The regeneration or backwash cycles can sometimes become stuck in a cycle with higher water use. This could make your monthly water utility bill higher.

Water treatment systems can be a big investment upfront. Because of the plumbing aspect, it’s important to hire professional plumbing experts for larger, whole-home projects. To help with the initial upfront costs, many companies offer discounts and have financing available.