In your search for a whole-house well water filter you’ve likely come across the SpringWell WS1. It has great reviews and a convincing website, but is it actually the unit for you? It can be tough to tell, especially since lots of competitors make similar claims.
What’s most important to me is that you find a water treatment solution that will fit the needs of you and your family. Water quality is a building block of health and well being, and I want to do my part to make sure you’re at your best.
As an expert with 25+ years of experience, I’ve extensively researched and tested this SpringWell whole-house well water filter, engaged with users, and consulted industry professionals, all to provide you with an informed and unbiased review.
My goal is that by the end of this SpringWell WS1 review, you’ll know whether this is the right fit for your household.
Quick Verdict
The SpringWell WS1 stands out as a top-performing whole-house well water filtration system for iron and sulfur removal due to its highly efficient filtration technology and self-regulating backwashing.
The smart control head makes it easy to manage from anywhere — an excellent choice for homeowners with busy schedules. Additionally, the long filter life not only saves time but also reduces upkeep costs, adding even more convenience to your life.
The WS1 is designed to accommodate one to four bathrooms, but larger models are available for larger homes, meaning SpringWell has a whole-house filter for pretty much everybody.
If your primary issue is the unpleasant odor of rotten eggs and unsightly orange and black stains on your laundry and fixtures, the SpringWell WS1 offers an effective solution.
Who Is the SpringWell WS1 For?
No single system can be a one-size-fits-all solution. While this whole-house filter may work for some, it might not be the right fit for others.
The SpringWell WS1 is for you if…
- You’re on private well water with a high concentration of iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese or a combination of these contaminants.
- Your water has a rotten egg smell and discoloration from rust.
- You want to treat water throughout your home and not just one faucet.
- You want a long-term solution with minimal upkeep and maintenance costs.
- You want to control your water filter through your smartphone.
- Water conservation is important to you.
- You want a soundless system.
- You’re looking for lifetime protection on your whole-house water filter.
The system won’t suit you if…
- You’ve tested your water and it has other pollutants, such as lead, copper, arsenic and nitrates/nitrites, and fluoride. In that case, test your water, identify the underlying cause and choose a system designed to address those specific issues.
- You want the lowest price. While comparably priced, this unit is more expensive than several other models on the market.
- You’d prefer not to equip your whole-house filter with additional add-ons for removing other contaminants — if you have them.
- You’re looking to remove iron and sulfur from just one tap; for that, point-of-use options would be more appropriate.
- Your well is aging or poorly constructed, causing contamination — no filtration can solve that.
SpringWell WS1 Features Breakdown
If you’re wondering what makes the SpringWell WS1 stand out, considering that most whole-house filters have similar durability, components, flow rates, and filtration processes, here are the features that make WS1 unique.
Filtration technology
The filtration technology used for removing iron and hydrogen sulfide in well water varies across brands. What makes SpringWell’s air injection oxidation beneficial for you is that this filtration process doesn’t introduce costly and unappealing chemicals like chlorine and hydrogen peroxide into the water or use ozone for oxidization, which can deteriorate your pipes.
This system simply pumps in air from the surroundings, saving you the cash that goes into buying oxidation chemicals or adding filters to remove these chemicals post-treatment.
The air oxidation process not only removes up to 7 PPM of iron, 8 PPM of hydrogen sulfide, and 1 PPM of manganese but also tackles excess carbon dioxide, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as the objectionable taste and smell caused by these pollutants.
The insoluble oxidized precipitates are trapped in a flushable greensand filter media. This media does not disintegrate and enter your water supply, which means you’re not required to replace this media or worry about greensand entering your septic systems.
Sound reduction
Most of the whole-house air injection systems make a loud blasting noise when they suck in the air for regeneration and self-cleaning. Although it lasts only a few seconds, it can be just enough to wake you up from your sleep if your room is right next to where the whole-house filter is installed.
SpringWell eliminates this by releasing a small amount of compressed air before the self-cleaning cycle starts.
Easy maintenance
The SpringWell WS1 is a “set-it-and-forget-it” system. The system automatically backwashes, removes oxidized pollutants, and regenerates without needing your assistance, making it virtually maintenance-free.
Unlike chemical injection or cartridge-based systems, the WS1 doesn’t need frequent filter replacements or chemical refilling. It filters your water and self-cleans periodically.
Designed to last 10–15 years without significant maintenance, it not only saves you the time, effort, and energy of regular whole-house filter inspections but also results in substantial long-term cost savings.
Filter longevity
The WS1 water system continues to deliver fresh filtered water for a decade or more. This not only makes the system incredibly cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. You won’t find yourself discarding cartridges or filter media every few months, which means less waste piling up in landfills.
Additionally, you’re actively reducing your carbon footprint by minimizing the need for frequent orders of filter components.
It’s a win-win for your wallet and the planet.
Smart control head
Through SpringWell’s “Legacy View” Application, you can easily configure the timing, duration, and frequency of the regeneration and backwash cycles. This is valuable because you can schedule self-cleaning when the water is not in use, which varies from user to user.
Additionally, timed backwashes conserve a significant amount of water each year that would otherwise be wasted in unnecessary backwashing — another feature that makes it an eco-friendly system.
Not only that, you can also adjust air draw and valve settings, and monitor your water usage, all through your smartphone, making the system incredibly convenient. You won’t need to go to your basement or backyard, wherever the system is installed, to modify the settings.
DIY friendly
If you’re the kind of person who can handle tools and figure things out, you could give the DIY installation a shot with SpringWell’s online guides and YouTube videos. But if you’re not feeling too confident about it, no shame in calling in a pro to do the job.
One great aspect of SpringWell is that they won’t void your warranty if you decide to install it yourself. This means you’re not forced to spend extra cash on hiring a plumber.
Filter add-ons
If your water supply has microbial contamination, which is a risk in poorly constructed or aging wells, you can outfit your whole-house WS1 with a UV purification system, which removes 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.
Similarly, in the case of hard water and other tricky contaminants like nitrates and lead, SpringWell lets you pair the WS1 with a salt-based water softener and POU reverse osmosis system. If you’re not convinced you need a water softener, read my article all about the benefits of adding a water softener to your home.
Extensive product warranty
When you’re investing a substantial amount in a whole-house water filtration system, you expect it to at least come with a lifetime warranty, and SpringWell understands that. I’m particularly impressed by SpringWell’s generous warranty, which covers the tanks, valves, and housings, ensuring that your filter lasts and performs well throughout its lifetime.
Additionally, you’ll also enjoy the six-month money-back guarantee. During this period, you can return your filter for a full refund, providing you with the peace of mind needed before splurging on an investment of over $2,000.
What I Like About the SpringWell WS1
The water quality has been nothing short of spectacular since I installed this filter over a month ago. My water is now clean and fresh, and I no longer have to scrub the toilets and fixtures to remove the orange and black stains caused by iron and manganese. The WS1 has done an exceptional job eliminating the ghastly rotten egg smell from all the taps in the house.
Another feature I appreciate is its silent regeneration, which makes it an excellent choice for smaller homes, where noise in the basement can carry throughout the entire house.
I was never a fan of the hassle of routine filter checkups and frequent replacements. This filter has been a game changer. Once it’s in, it’s good to go for a lifetime without needing attention. This also saves you a bundle of money.
And lastly, a lifetime warranty and six-month money-back guarantee is a rare find in the world of whole-house water filters.
What You Might Not Like About the SpringWell WS1
The included spin-down pre-filter has a 152-micron opening, which is quite large. If you have lots of fine sediment in your well, it’s likely not going to do a great job. However, SpringWell does sell a 5-micron sediment filter that you can install with this system.
The SpringWell WS1 cannot eliminate iron- and sulfur-reducing bacteria, common sources of the unpleasant rotten egg smell. To address this issue, you would need to invest in a chemical injection system, such as the one offered by SpringWell.
Similarly, AIO systems cannot remove other potential well water contaminants, such as heavy metals and tannins. SpringWell provides other whole-house well water filtration systems designed to address these specific pollutants.
You may need to complement this filter with additional filters to treat substances other than iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese.
You should have your water tested and analyzed before seeking a water filter solution because one filtration technology may not effectively address all the contaminants present in your well water.
Methodology
This section will walk you through the steps I took to properly analyze and test the SpringWell WS1 whole-house water filter system:
Step 1: A list of SpringWell filtration systems
Before diving into my research, I began by compiling a list of all SpringWell whole-house filters categorized for well water. Among these filters, the WS1 emerged as the leading stand-alone well water filter system, leveraging efficient filtration technology.
It offers a more cost-effective solution when compared to SpringWell’s Ultra Well Water Filter, which comes at nearly double the price of the WS1.
Comparing the SpringWell WS1 to other whole-house filters in SpringWell’s lineup, as well as those from other brands, helped me analyze the benefits and features of the WS1 more efficiently.
Step 2: Product analysis
Before I proceeded with the physical examination of the filter and interviews with customers, I decided to take notes on the benefits this filter had to offer and what one should look for in a well water whole-house filter. Here are a few questions I asked Google and read informative articles on:
- What are the most common contaminants found in well water?
- What filtration technologies are used in well water filters, and how do they differ from each other?
- What is air injection oxidation, and how does it compare with chemical injection?
- What smart features should I consider when selecting a whole-house filtration system?
- Can a layperson install SpringWell filtration units?
- What’s the average cost of whole-house well water filters, and how much should I budget for maintenance?
- What warranty duration should I aim for when searching for a whole-house filter?
Step 3: Online reviews
For the next step, I looked for reviews on trustworthy sites like Consumer Reports and the BBB. I made notes of the product’s pros and cons to get a clear picture of its performance and what customers think.
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
I realized I couldn’t trust all online reviews, so I reached out to a few customers directly. By talking to them, I got a better understanding of their experiences with the WS1 filter, which provided me with deeper insights into the product.
To reach a wider audience, I posted questions about the WS1 on forums like Reddit and Quora, and I received many insightful replies that helped me understand the filter better.
Step 5: Interview with SpringWell
To assess SpringWell’s customer service, I emailed them with my concerns regarding their refund policies and filter life. I also relayed a few customer complaints.
SpringWell responded calmly, providing me with all the details about the system. Furthermore, one of its customer representatives called me a few days later to follow up and see if I needed any further information.
Step 6: Test drives
At the outset of my research, I decided to order the SpringWell WS1 filter. As soon as it arrived, I wasted no time and commenced the installation process in my basement, providing me with a firsthand experience to evaluate its ease of installation.
Over the course of more than three months, I diligently analyzed the water at regular intervals, rigorously testing it for iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese. This hands-on approach allowed me to gain valuable insights into the filter’s performance, reliability, and the quality of water it produced.
Step 7: Ranking
At the end of my research, I plugged in all the information I had gathered into a spreadsheet and made my final analysis:
- Filtration technology
- Cost-effectiveness
- Eco-friendliness
- Smart features
- Filter life
- Ease of installation
- Maintenance cost
- Warranty
Conclusion
After thorough testing and research on the SpringWell WS1, I can confidently say that it’s an outstanding choice for homeowners with high levels of ferric and ferrous iron and hydrogen sulfide in their well water.
This filter consistently delivers fresh, clean, and odorless water from every tap in your home, effectively reducing both unsightly orange stains and the dreaded rotten egg smell.
The system’s automatic backwashing and intelligent electronic head make it nearly maintenance-free. With its ability to last a decade without significant upkeep, you’ll find substantial long-term cost savings. An added eco-friendly perk is that you won’t have to bother with filter replacements.
To top it all off, the inclusion of a lifetime warranty and a six-month money-back guarantee truly seals the deal, making the SpringWell WS1 whole-house filter a worthwhile investment.
Alternatives
If you’re looking to treat other common well water pollutants in water, there are plenty of alternatives. Here’s a preview of a few quality filters I frequently recommend.
Crystal Quest Nitrate Water Filter
Nitrate can be found in groundwater near industrial sites and farms, and it can even contaminate your well water. The Crystal Quest whole-house filter uses nitrate-reducing media in combination with other filtration technologies to effectively reduce nitrate levels, as well as sediment, VOCs, herbicides, and pesticides.
However, it’s important to note that you can’t control the backwashing process, and the nitrate media will need replacement every one or two years, depending on your water quality. The initial cost is substantial, and replacement costs can accumulate over time.
Nevertheless, given the seriousness of nitrate contamination, the Crystal Quest nitrate removal system is a dependable choice for treating your well water.
US Water Systems MATRIXX Infusion System
If you’re dealing with a high concentration of iron and sulfur-reducing bacteria, to the extent that it has formed slimy and sludgy deposits in your fixtures and plumbing, a strong chemical injection system like the US Water Systems MATRIXX Infusion is what you need.
It utilizes hydrogen peroxide to effectively address iron, hydrogen sulfide, iron-sulfur-reducing bacteria, and other microbes in well water.
While it’s highly effective at combating well water contaminants, it’s important to note that this system involves injecting chemicals into your water. This could be potentially harmful if not administered in a controlled manner. Additionally, you might find it necessary to incorporate extra filters to eliminate the disinfectant smell and by-products in your water supply.
Keep in mind that this system is slightly more expensive than the SpringWell WS1 and demands regular maintenance, including the need to refill your chemical tank, which can add to the overall cost. Nevertheless, when it comes to addressing issues related to iron- and sulfur-reducing bacteria, this system is a strong contender to consider.
Express Water Iron and Lead Removal Filter
This cartridge-based three-stage whole-house filter is a good option for homeowners on a budget. The filter can remove sediment, lead, iron, rust, industrial solvents, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and turbidity.
While it is an economical option, you’ll need to invest in its regular maintenance and replacement filters every 6–12 months, which can become a hassle for some.
Plus, since it can’t treat microbial contamination, you might need to get a separate UV sterilizer or POU reverse osmosis system. However, if you’re dealing with a microbe problem, you should have your well’s structural integrity assessed before you solve the problem with filtration.
If you’re interested in exploring reviews for water filtration systems aside from SpringWell WS1, you’ve landed on the right page! Our extensive assortment of water filter assessments encompasses a diverse selection of brands and models currently accessible in the market.
Below, you’ll find an overview of some of the water filter brands and models we’ve thoroughly examined:
