Plain-English guides to well water problems, built on public health guidance, extension research and what water treatment pros see in the field. Our Myth Buster series takes the claims homeowners hear most and checks them against the chemistry.
Myth BusterDoes Shocking a Well Fix It for Good? The Shock Chlorination MythShocking a well kills bacteria today, but it rarely fixes odors or contamination for good. How to dose it right, protect your septic system and know when the water is safe.Read the guide Myth BusterDoes Boiling Well Water Purify It? (Why It Makes Heavy Metals Worse)Boiling kills germs, but it removes no chemicals and concentrates nitrate, lead and arsenic. When to boil well water, and what to use instead.Read the guide Myth BusterDo Salt-Free Water Softeners Work? What They Fix and What They Don’tThey can cut limescale, but they do not soften water. What the research shows, and when a salt-free system is the wrong buy for a well.Read the guide Myth BusterDoes a Water Softener Remove Iron? What Works and What FailsA softener can take out some iron, but only one kind and only in small amounts. Here is where the line is, and what to install instead.Read the guide