Meta Title: 4 Best Sediment Filters For Well Water | Water Defense
Meta Description: We reviewed the 4 best sediment filters for well water based on filtration capacity, flow rate, and much more! We help you choose the right one.
If your home is supplied by well water, then a sediment filter system is an absolute must-have to eliminate sediment like rust, sand, and dirt. If this sediment doesn’t get filtered out, it can damage your appliances, negatively affect the taste of your water, provide a breeding ground for bacteria, and reduce the longevity of your filtration systems.
Thankfully, there are plenty of sediment filters for well water available—the difficulty is in choosing the right fit for your home. To help you make the best decision, we’ve tested and reviewed the 4 best sediment filters for well water currently available.
Our favorite is the SpringWell WS1 Whole House Well Water Filter System. It effectively removes sediment using a spin-down separator, a 1-micron mesh screen, and air injection oxidation tech. It also has a high flow rate of 12 GPM, so it’s a good option for homes with up to 4 bathrooms. If your home is larger than that, though (up to 6 bathrooms), you’ll need the RKIN 5-Micron Sediment Whole House Filter.
If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper whole-house sediment filter then we’d recommend the Aquasana Rhino. It has a lower flow rate than the WS1 but is still really effective at removing sediment.
For those on a tight budget with moderate levels of sediment in their well water, we suggest the iSpring WSP50ARB Spin-Down Sediment Water Filter, which costs just $92.55.
- Filter type: Tank-based whole-house well water filter
- Filtration technique: Spin-down separator + 1-micron mesh screen + Air injection oxidation
- Flow rate: 12 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $2,204.09
- Filter type: Dual-tank whole house well water filter with a sediment pre-filter
- Filtration technique: Pre-filter
- Flow rate: 7 GPM
- Warranty: Six years
- Price: $1,998
- Filter type: Sediment filter
- Filtration technique: Spin-down separation
- Flow rate: 25 GPM
- Warranty: One year
- Price: $192.55
- Filter type: 5-micron single-cartridge whole-house device
- Filtration technique: Sediment filter
- Flow rate: 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $349.95
Sediment Filters for Well Water
SpringWell WS1 Whole House Well Water Filter – Best Whole House System for Sediment
- Filter type: Tank-based whole-house well water filter
- Filtration technique: Spin-down separator + 1-micron mesh screen + Air injection oxidation
- Flow rate: 12 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $2,204.09
PROS
- Two-stage sediment filtration ensures thorough sediment removal
- The 1-micron mesh screen is among the best on the market
- The 12 GPM flow rate means it can provide water to homes with up to 4 bathrooms without noticeable drops in water pressure
- Made in the USA, which means it’s pretty easy to find spare parts
- Lifetime warranty, which demonstrates SpringWell’s confidence in its durability
CONS
- Expensive unit but we think it’s well worth it
SpringWell is a trusted brand in the niche, and many private well owners choose it because its water softeners, tannin removal systems, and acid neutralizers are crème de la crème.
Its well water system, SpringWell WS1, is mainly known for removing iron and hydrogen sulfide, but we think it’s also the best whole-house sediment filter on the market. What makes it so efficient is its two-step sediment filtration and its 1-micron mesh screen. This allows it to efficiently remove sediment, which is great for your water and improves the filter system's longevity.
2-Step Sediment Filtration
The first step is a spin-down separator where the sediment-full water swirls in a mild vortex, and sediments spin out. This way, the 100-micron SpringWell spin-down separator removes all the large and medium-sized particles from the water, making things easy for the next filtration stage.
The next step is a mesh screen with 1-micron pores. Most sediment filters on the market have only 5-micron pores. The SpringWell WS1 is superior to them, as it handles sediment particles five times smaller than those removed by 5-micron pores.
High Flow Rate
Another reason why we like the SpringWell WS1 is its high GPM level. The product doesn’t sacrifice water flow to achieve near-perfect sediment filtration. The 12 GPM water flow is more than enough to accommodate the drinking, bathing, and other household needs of families with 1-4 bathrooms. After we installed the system in a 4-bathroom house to test it out, we didn’t notice any drops in water pressure.
Bluetooth Head
One of our favorite features is the Bluetooth head which allows you to control the system from a smartphone app. Once we’d installed it (which was quick and easy) we were able to adjust the valve settings and monitor the system’s water usage information with just a few taps on a screen.
Plus, we were able to start backwash and regeneration cycles from inside the app. We love it when a filter system has a user-friendly interface but being able to control it from an app is even better. We really wish that all systems had this kind of digital integration.
Aquasana Rhino – Runner-Up Whole House System for Sediment
- Filter type: Dual-tank whole house well water filter with a sediment pre-filter
- Filtration technique: Pre-filter
- Flow rate: 7 GPM
- Warranty: 6 years
- Price: $1,998
PROS
- It’s a slightly cheaper whole-house alternative to the WS1
- The sediment pre-filter is top-notch because the system is UV-compatible
- Easy to maintain and simple to install
- The twist-off feature eases the filter replacement process
CONS
- The sediment pre-filter should be replaced once every two months, which can get quite expensive
- The 7 GPM average flow rate is not ideal for large families and households, especially when compared to the 12 GPM of the WS1
- Only a six-year warranty, which pales in comparison to the WS1’s lifetime warranty
Although the SpringWell device is our uncontested favorite, it's always a good idea to explore a more budget-friendly option for removing sediment from your well water.
We recommend the Aquasana Rhino whole-house unit—it comes with one of the best sediment pre-filters engineered to treat well water.
Optional UV Water Purifier
Aquasana Rhino has a dual-tank whole-house setup designed to treat chlorine. In addition, you can add an ultraviolet water purifier to this setup to also destroy bacteria and viruses.
The fact that the unit is compatible with a UV water purifier is a testament to its high efficiency against sediment particles.
For UV devices to operate appropriately, any potential obstruction inside the water, like dirt, debris, and sand, should be eliminated. So, without a state-of-the-art sediment pre-filter, the UV lamp would be useless. And Aquasana Rhino’s UV lamp is anything but useless, speaking volumes about its sediment filter.
Easy Maintenance
Aquasana has one advantage over the SpringWell setup. While the SpringWell sediment filter is a built-in one, meaning you’ll need to disassemble the whole system if there’s a problem, the Aquasana pre-filter stands alone, making it easier to maintain and replace.
That said, the most significant disadvantage of the product is its filter replacement frequency, as you need to replace it at least once every two months. Although replacement filters cost only $20, their lifespan of two months is poor and will add to your maintenance costs in the long run.
Fortunately, you needn’t worry about the replacement process itself. Changing the filters takes less than a minute since you only need to twist the old filter off and the new one on.
iSpring WSP50ARB Spin-Down Sediment Separator – Best Spin-Down Separator for Sediment
- Filter type: Sediment filter
- Filtration technique: Spin-down separation
- Flow rate: 25 GPM
- Warranty: One year
- Price: $192.55
PROS
- A great choice for filtering moderate sediment levels
- Doesn’t require replacements, which saves you time and money
- The auto-flush feature saves you the hassle of cleaning sediment
- Touch-screen monitor for easy control and monitoring
- The most affordable option on our list by some distance
CONS
- 50-micron isn’t great for filtering sediment-rich water
- One-year warranty
If your well water is already free of contaminants like hydrogen sulfide or chlorine, and the only problem you have is sediment, what you need is a spin-down sediment separator.
In this case, your best choice is the 50-micron iSpring WSP50ARB model as it efficiently deals with all the large particles in well water. The unit is also an excellent option if you’ve just installed a reverse osmosis system and are worried that it will get clogged up by sediment.
Key Features:
- Efficient sediment removal: This device provides the ultimate protection for complex and sensitive systems like UV and reverse osmosis by eliminating all sediment particles before they have a chance to pass through the system.
- No maintenance: What we like most about iSpring WSP50ARB is that it doesn’t require any replacements, unlike the pre-filter of Aquasana Rhino, nor does it need any maintenance. The iSpring unit has an auto-flush feature that automatically flushes out the accumulated sediment without you doing anything.
- Digital display: Still, the iSpring engineers haven’t wholly robbed you of control over their product. The gadget comes with a little touch-screen display, allowing you to set auto-flush times alongside the authority to override it and manually flush the sediment.
- Very high flow rate: Spin-down separators like iSpring WSP50ARB are tiny devices, but their appearance shouldn’t deceive you into thinking they have worse flow rate capacity than whole-house systems. The 25 GPM flow rate of iSpring WSP50ARB is more than twice what the SpringWell WS1 offers, proving the opposite is true.
RKIN 5-Micron Sediment Whole House Filter – Best Single-Cartridge Whole House Filter for Sediment
- Filter type: 5-micron single-cartridge whole-house device
- Filtration technique: Sediment filter
- Flow rate: 20 GPM
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $349.95
PROS
- 5-micron filtration is perfect for removing small and medium-sized sediments
- Very affordable when compared to other whole house filters like the Aquasana Rhino and the WS1
- The filter needs replacing only once a year and the replacement filters aren’t too pricey
- Patented bacteriostatic technology prevents the buildup of bacteria inside the system and prolongs the life of the filter
- Great maximum flow rate of 20 GPM, which means it’s suitable for large homes with up to 6 bathrooms
- Lifetime warranty so you’re covered for most repairs and replacements
CONS
- Not ideal for removing large sediment particles because of the small, 5-micron pore size
The last product on our list is for those who don’t need a bulky whole-house filter like the SpingWell WS1 and the Aquasana Rhino but have more sediment in their water than a spin-down separator can handle.
Key Features:
- 5-micron filtration: The RKIN 5-micron model has a single-cartridge setup, and its 5-micron pores block small and medium-sized sediment particles from clogging your reverse osmosis device or ending up in your faucets.
- BPA-free: The filter of the RKIN device is made of polypropylene, a type of plastic that’s completely BPA-free. So, no harmful plastics will leach into your water supply while removing sediment.
- Very low maintenance: Unlike spin-down separators, the RKIN filter doesn’t require flushing, backwashing, or periodic cleaning. The only action you need to take to ensure the system’s longevity is to replace the filter once it loses its efficiency.
- Filter longevity and affordability: Speaking of filter replacements, the RKIN filter lasts around a year. Its durability is longer than that of some of the highest-quality pre-filters in high-end whole-house systems. Considering these filters cost just $38.28, annual filter replacement in an RKIN device is more economical than the bimonthly filter replacements of Aquasana Rhino.
- Bacteria prevention: Thanks to the RKIN cartridge, a patented bacteriostatic technology, the unit can also remove and prevent bacteria from breeding and growing inside your unit.
- High flow rate: Cartridge-based whole-house devices usually have higher flow rates than tank-based ones, and that’s the case with this unit. It has a 20 GPM flow rate, which makes it suitable for families of all sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about sediment in private wells and sediment filters for well water.
Sediment is usually an umbrella term for various particles that contaminate water in visible ways. The most common sediment types are soil, sand, silt, clay, and tiny pieces of rock. These particles typically don’t have any adverse health effects on people.
However, not having any adverse health effects doesn’t mean they don’t have any negative effects at all. For example, when sediment enters appliances like reverse osmosis units, water softeners, dishwashers, and washing machines, it clogs their membranes and pipes, making them useless.
Additionally, rocks or soil in your well water signal that your well is prone to contamination. Some bacteria, viruses, or hazardous contaminants, such as lead, can sneak into your well by clinging to sediment particles.
You will benefit from a sediment filter if you depend on a private well for your water supply. Well water is prone to contamination by sediment because private wells draw water directly from the base of the Earth. Since the composition of the Earth includes various materials such as sand, rocks, soil, and water, sediments are likely to be present in your drinking water.
A sediment filter is a great idea to prevent sediments’ potential adverse effects on appliances and extend their life.
Additionally, reverse osmosis units and ultraviolet water purifiers require water to be sediment-free because it clogs up the reverse osmosis membrane and obstructs the UV’s penetration into the water. If you’re considering installing one of these water solutions, it’s best to invest in an effective sediment filter first.
Sediment is easy to notice. For example, once you fill a glass of water and let it rest for a while, you’ll see the impurities with large particles sinking and settling at the bottom of the glass.
However, sometimes sediment in your water could indicate the presence of invisible and more hazardous contaminants, including pathogens and heavy metals. In such cases, the next best step is to collect a water sample and send it to a water-testing laboratory certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
From the lab, you’ll receive a detailed data sheet explaining your water composition and how your water quality fares against the health standards set by the EPA.
If the results show that the only problem in your water is sediments, then buying a sediment filter will suffice. However, if there are other problems, you need to look for more relevant water solutions.
It depends on your choice of filter type. A traditional whole-house unit that effectively removes sediment from well water might cost between $750-$3,000.
A spin-down sediment separator usually costs $100-$150, but high-tech options, such as the iSpring model on our list, can reach up to $200.
Finally, a single-cartridge sediment filter generally comes with a price tag of $300 to $500.
Conclusion
Sediment clogs up appliances and renders them ineffective in the long run. To prevent that, many well owners install sediment filters.
The best sediment removal filter is SpringWell’s whole-house model. Aquasana Rhino, on the other hand, presents a more budget-friendly alternative.
Regarding spin-down separators, the iSpring option takes the cake with its technology and micron size.
Lastly, if you have a problem with small and medium-sized sediment particles in particular, RKIN has a durable and practical single-cartridge sediment filter in its catalog.
