Water Filtration Solutions
If you are a resident of Ashland, Massachusetts with a private well or on town water, you may require some type of water filtration or water softener system to bring your water quality up to a level you desire. While town supplied water does go through certain levels of filtration and safety requirements, you may prefer an upgraded end product. Private well water should be tested periodically to make sure it does not contain common health threat contaminants found in New England and also other aesthetically displeasing minerals such as iron, manganese and hard water minerals.
Dissolved Iron Staining
Common contaminants that find their way into the water supply such as iron and manganese are easily removed. Additionally, a low pH, which can be corrosive to piping and appliance internals is also not uncommon. Perhaps the most concerning are potential levels of Arsenic or Radon in well water that can have a health risk associated with it. As these are odorless and tasteless contaminants, it is very important to have your water tested to determine if they are present. Even these contaminants, however, can be removed reliably with the proper water filtration system. For more on hard water, see link at hard water epa.
Damaging Scale
Having your own well places the responsibility of safety and water quality with you. With proven water filtration and water softener systems, you have the ability to create excellent, safe water for your home.
WATER TEST IS FIRST STEP
Water testing should be conducted by an EPA or Massachusetts state certified laboratory and should include analysis for the parameters in the table below. If you are uncertain as to how to take a proper sample of well water and get it to a lab, you should contact a lab or water treatment professional for assistance. Typical items tested for are as follows:
| Coliform bacteria | pH |
| Arsenic | Radon |
| Chloride | Sodium |
| Iron | Sulfate |
| Lead | Conductivity |
| Manganese | Nitrogen-Nitrate |
If the testing results for Radon exceed the current Massachusetts guideline of 10,000 pCi/L in water, the radon must be removed from the water and it is recommended testing the air for Radon as well. It should be noted that New Hampshire requires action if radon is 2,000 pCi/L (pico curries per liter), Maine and Rhode Island are at 4,000 pCi/L as is the EPA. Regarding Arsenic, the maximum allowable level per EPA guidelines is .01 parts per million. See link at Arsenic Info. for more information on arsenic.
Radon Mitigation System
WATER FILTRATION & WATER SOFTENER SYSTEMS
Water filtration and/or water softener systems can be installed for the removal of any of the contaminants listed in the above table. Water softeners are typically installed to remove iron or manganese in the water through a technology called Ion Exchange. Arsenic is removed with tanks containing a specific media that “grabs” the arsenic out of the water. Removing radon from water requires a system that agitates the water in a sealed chamber to release the gas and then vents it outside. It is critical that the venting is done properly to minimize the chances of radon gas potentially being blown back into the home.
BAD ODORS & TASTE IN WATER
In addition to the above systems described, there are many other types of systems to remove bad tastes & odors, sediment and many other objectionable minerals and contaminants in the water. There are “point of entry” systems that will provide filtration for all of the water entering your home or facility. Starting with a water test will help steer to the right approach for you. For more on bad odors & taste in your water, see the link at https://bad-odor-taste-water/.
