Got a test result back? Pick your contaminant below for certified treatment options at every budget level — from basic point-of-use filters to whole-house solutions.
Treatment without testing is guesswork. A basic well water panel covers the most common concerns — arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, heavy metals — and usually runs $150–$300. Start there.
Each guide covers three protection levels: Minimum (budget-friendly, certified), Typical (what most well owners install), and High-risk (when results exceed safe limits or your household includes infants or pregnant women).
| Contaminant | Typical Treatment | Cost Range | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) | $150–$400 | Treatment options → |
| Nitrate | Reverse osmosis (dedicated tap) | $180–$280 | Treatment options → |
| PFAS (Forever Chemicals) | Reverse osmosis (most effective) | $150–$1,200 | Treatment options → |
| Lead | NSF/ANSI 53 filter or RO | $80–$900 | Treatment options → |
| Uranium | Reverse osmosis | $180–$1,500 | Treatment options → |
| E. coli / Coliform | UV disinfection + pre-filter | $80–$1,000 | Treatment options → |
| Chromium | Reverse osmosis | $150–$1,500 | Treatment options → |
| Radium | Ion exchange (water softener) | $180–$1,300 | Treatment options → |
| Radon | Whole-house aeration | $800–$2,000 | Treatment options → |
| Fluoride | Reverse osmosis | $200–$500 | Treatment options → |
| Mercury | NSF/ANSI 53 carbon or RO | $80–$1,000 | Treatment options → |
| Iron & Manganese | Oxidizing filter (whole-house) | $250–$1,000 | Treatment options → |
| Hard Water | Ion exchange water softener | $80–$1,300 | Treatment options → |
| Low pH (Acidic Water) | Calcite neutralizing filter | $300–$1,200 | Treatment options → |
| Sediment | Whole-house cartridge filter | $100–$800 | Treatment options → |
The right treatment depends on three things: what's in your water, where you want to treat it (drinking tap only vs. whole house), and your budget.
All systems recommended on this site carry NSF/ANSI certification for the contaminant they treat. That certification is the only meaningful performance guarantee.