Whole house water filter and softener for well water: combo guide
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Short answer
If your well has iron (or sulfur) and hard water, install the iron filter first and the softener second. The softener then only handles hardness and its resin lasts much longer. SpringWell sells its WS iron filter bundled with a softener for roughly $3,100 to $4,500 depending on size. Buying both from one maker keeps flow rates and fittings matched.
The combo that fits most wells
-
Stage 1: iron, sulfur, manganese
SpringWell WS Well Water Filter
Air injection oxidation: an air pocket at the top of the tank oxidizes dissolved iron, sulfur and manganese so a greensand bed can trap them. It backwashes itself on a timer, with no chemicals or salt.
- Iron up to 7 ppm
- Hydrogen sulfide up to 8 ppm
- Manganese up to 1 ppm
- WS1: 12 GPM, 1–4 baths
- WS4: 20 GPM, 4+ baths
- Lifetime warranty, 6-month money-back
From about $1,600WS1 to WS4, before softener add-ons · checked October 2026 Check price at SpringWell -
Stage 2: softening
SpringWell SS Salt-Based Water Softener
Ion exchange: resin beads swap calcium and magnesium for sodium, then the tank regenerates with brine from the salt tank.
- SS1: 32,000 grains, 11 GPM, 1–3 baths
- SS4: 48,000 grains, 13 GPM, 4–6 baths
- Bluetooth control head
- 6-month money-back
About $1,800SS1; SS4 costs more · checked October 2026 Check price at SpringWell
Sizing the pair
| Home size | Iron filter | Softener |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 bathrooms | WS1 (12 GPM) | SS1 (32,000 grains, 11 GPM) |
| 4+ bathrooms | WS4 (20 GPM) | SS4 (48,000 grains, 13 GPM) |
Size the softener for hardness only, since the iron filter is removing the iron. Add a UV system last if your well has had coliform.
Questions well owners ask
Can one system filter and soften well water?
Some single-tank units claim both, but iron fouls softener resin. For iron above about 1 ppm, two stages last longer and work better.