Frequently Asked Questions

The long-term benefits of installing a water filtration system include:

• Clean, safe drinking water whenever you want it
• Protecting your appliances and your entire plumbing system from corrosive minerals and contaminants
• No need for bottled water

How often a system needs maintenance depends on the system type and household water usage. Cartridge-based systems like the Pioneer™ typically last up to a year (or 100,000 gallons). On the other hand, oxidation systems like the Smart Water Plus Extractor require occasional media cleaning or recharging.

Most residential systems can be installed within one to four hours, depending on complexity. Besco’s technicians handle everything, including assessing your plumbing, installing equipment, and testing water quality before completion.

Not necessarily. While groundwater can look clear, it can harbor microscopic pathogens, agricultural chemicals, and heavy metals like arsenic or lead. Because private wells are not regulated by the EPA or municipal authorities, testing and treating the water is entirely the homeowner’s responsibility. It is highly recommended to use a verified filtration and purification system.

The CDC recommends testing your private well at least once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. You should also test immediately if you notice a change in water taste, odor, or color, or after a severe flood.

A properly sized and professionally installed well water filtration system should not noticeably decrease your water pressure. However, if a system is too small for your home’s plumbing, or if you neglect routine maintenance and allow the filters to clog with sediment, your pressure will drop. Besco’s experts always calculate your well pump’s flow rate to ensure your new system provides strong, consistent water pressure.

Not necessarily, as they serve different purposes. A well water filter targets contaminants like iron, sulfur, sediment, and bacteria. A water softener specifically targets hard minerals (calcium and magnesium) to prevent scale buildup. Because Michigan well water is often both hard and iron-rich, many homes require a combination of both a softener and a specialized filter to achieve perfect water quality.

While often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes. Well water filtration generally refers to the removal of physical and chemical impurities like sediment, iron, sulfur, and chlorine.

Well water purification goes a step further by removing or neutralizing biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and cysts, often using UV light or Reverse Osmosis. A complete whole-house system frequently combines both technologies.

A high-quality, whole-house well water filtration system can last 10 to 15 years or more if properly maintained. However, the internal components have different lifespans: sediment pre-filter cartridges typically need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months, while the main filtration media (like carbon or iron-trapping resin) usually requires replacement every 3 to 5 years, depending on your water usage and contamination levels.

Those stubborn orange or brown stains are caused by high levels of iron in your groundwater. When well water hits the air, the dissolved iron oxidizes and turns into rust. The most effective way to eliminate this permanently is by installing a dedicated iron filtration system or a specialized well water softener designed to trap iron before it reaches your plumbing.

Most of the fresh water used in the United States originates as groundwater. As this water travels through rock and soil, it naturally dissolves and picks up minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium. While 85% of the country has “hard water,” the term specifically refers to the concentration of these dissolved minerals in your supply.

Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg), which refers to the weight of the minerals, or in parts per million (ppm).  According to standards set by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Water Quality Association, you can determine your system needs by comparing your water test results to the following ratings:

There is no difference between a water softener and a water conditioner. Both terms are used interchangeably within the water treatment industry. So, if you’re looking for water conditioning service, you’re really looking for water softening service.

Water softeners use water during regeneration, but modern systems are designed to use this water very efficiently. In general, the water costs incurred for regeneration are offset by the increased plumbing system efficiency provided by water softeners.

Most water softener systems require approximately a 3′ × 3′. Typically, this space can be found in garages, utility rooms, or designated plumbing areas. If space is limited, Besco Water Treatment can recommend alternative system configurations.

Yes, you can use water while the system is regenerating. Single-tank systems will temporarily provide unsoftened water, while dual-tank systems continue delivering soft water whether or not the system is regenerating. Either way, you’ll still have full access to water while your system is regenerating.

Resin is the filtration media inside the water softener that removes hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium through an ion-exchange process. It typically lasts 10-15 years, depending on water quality, chlorine levels, and maintenance. Homes with high chlorine or iron may require more frequent resin replacement.

Yes, water softeners are specifically engineered to remove magnesium, along with calcium, from your home’s water supply. These are the two primary minerals responsible for hard water, and home water softeners eliminate them through a process called ion exchange.

As hard water flows through the softener’s tank, the mineral ions are chemically attracted to and trapped by positively charged resin beads, replacing them with harmless sodium ions to completely soften the water.

The typical life expectancy of a home water softener is between 10 and 15 years. However, the exact lifespan of your system depends heavily on the build quality of the equipment, your home’s daily water usage, the severity of your water hardness, and how consistently the system is maintained. High-end, professionally installed water softeners that receive regular salt refills, periodic resin cleanings, and timely valve maintenance can frequently last 20 years or more.

You can tell if your water softener needs to be replaced or repaired by watching for several classic signs of mechanical failure and hard water return. The most common indicators include:

• Resurgence of Hard Water Symptoms: You notice stubborn white crust (scale buildup) returning to your faucets, showerheads, and glass dishware.
• Changes in Skin and Hair: Your skin suddenly feels unusually dry or itchy after showering, and soap fails to lather easily.
• Stagnant Salt Levels: The salt level in your brine tank never seems to go down, indicating that the system is no longer automatically regenerating.
• Frequent Component Breakdowns: The control valve, timer, or motor requires continuous repairs, making a full system replacement more cost-effective.
• Discolored or Sandy Water: If you see fine, sand-like yellow or orange particles in your tap water, your system’s internal resin bed has ruptured, and the softener must be replaced.

Not necessarily, as they serve different purposes. A well water filter targets contaminants like iron, sulfur, sediment, and bacteria. A water softener specifically targets hard minerals (calcium and magnesium) to prevent scale buildup. Because Michigan well water is often both hard and iron-rich, many homes require a combination of both a softener and a specialized filter to achieve perfect water quality.

Yes, pre-filtration is required for a PURA UV system to operate efficiently. Because UV purification relies on light penetrating the water, high turbidity (cloudiness), iron, or dirt can create microscopic “shadows.” Bacteria can hide behind these particles and safely pass through the system unharmed. Installing a sediment or carbon pre-filter ensures the water is crystal clear, guaranteeing the UV light reaches and neutralizes all pathogens.

To ensure continuous protection, your PURA water filtration system requires routine maintenance on a predictable schedule. For most homes, the recommended replacement timeline is:

• UV Lamp/Bulb: Replace exactly every 12 months. Even if the bulb is still glowing, its ultraviolet intensity degrades after a year and will no longer effectively neutralize bacteria.
• Quartz Sleeve: Clean annually during your bulb change, and replace every 2 to 3 years (or if it becomes permanently scaled by hard water).
• Pre-Filters (Carbon/Sediment): Replace every 3 to 6 months, depending on your home’s specific water usage and local contaminant levels.

The FDA strictly regulates the labeling of bottled water based on the water’s specific source and treatment method. The official product classifications include:

• Artesian Water (or Artesian Well Water): Water drawn from a well that taps a confined, pressurized underground aquifer.
• Mineral Water: Water sourced from a protected underground spring or borehole that naturally contains at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS). Minerals cannot be artificially added to this product.
• Purified Water: Water that has been treated through distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis to meet the strict standards of the United States Pharmacopeia. It may also be labeled specifically by its treatment method (e.g., “distilled water” or “reverse osmosis water”).
• Sparkling Bottled Water: Water that contains the exact same amount of carbon dioxide after treatment that it naturally had when it emerged from its source. (Note: Soda water, seltzer, and tonic water can contain added sugar and calories, and are regulated as soft drinks, not bottled water.)
• Spring Water: Water derived from an underground formation that flows naturally to the earth’s surface. It must be collected directly at the spring or through a borehole tapping the exact same underground source.
• Well Water: Water extracted from a bored, drilled, or constructed hole that directly taps an underground aquifer.