[k2at]

Has anyone put in one of the residential whole house water purification systems and if so have u been happy with the results. Would also appreciate ur indicating what company did it and would u recommend them. There are so many marginal companies out there and so many different products which they recommend, that the more we look into it, the more confused we get. One thing we seem to have found is that Florida ground water aquifers leave a lot to be desired and ther are really far too many contaminents present.

We are looking for recommendations as to what the more reliable companies are. The one consistent pattern we found is that they all want about $3200 to do the job.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by k2at

Has anyone put in one of the residential whole house water purification systems and if so have u been happy with the results. Would also appreciate ur indicating what company did it and would u recommend them. There are so many marginal companies out there and so many different products which they recommend, that the more we look into it, the more confused we get. One thing we seem to have found is that Florida ground water aquifers leave a lot to be desired and ther are really far too many contaminents present.

We are looking for recommendations as to what the more reliable companies are. The one consistent pattern we found is that they all want about $3200 to do the job.

The water here is already pure. However, purification means added chemicals which means it taste bad to some. I solved that problem by installing a dedicated drinking water outlet with an inexpensive inline filter. I also installed an inline filter on the ice maker.

[cycles]

good info
What about chemicals in general?
There must be a plethora of chemicals in the air, the soil, and the water we consume to keep things so primped looking and bug free.
We are not bottled water users because we don't like buying what flows in free and easy.
We also like using our solar and wind powered clothes dryer - we got it at our local ACE hardware for $6.00 - it's 50' long.
Apparently these are not allowed in TV, but isn't there a FL law that overrides all municipal, neighborhood, and development covenents to allow sustainably powered things like clotheslines and roof panels?
We're really going to miss the freshness, economy, and gratitude to the mothership if we are limited to drying our clothes in a box of electrical radiation or gas vapors.
OK, we use a gas dryer from time to time but much prefer the line

[Army Guy]

We are like downeaster. Installed a filter at the kitchen sink with seperate faucet. Cost $189 at Home Depot.
A whole house system is really a waste unless you have really hard/soft water. Are you really going to get a drink of water from your washing machine, toilet or shower? So why pay for it. Just get a point of use and you will be just fine.

Army Guy

[otherbruddaDarrell]

At first we were thinking about getting a system, but I agree that the water here is pretty decent.
The filter on our fridge is really all we need.

WARNING
When you first move in to a home at TV you are going to be getting lots and lots of calls from those water treatment companies saying they have a house warming gift for you or free water testing.
Slick sales reps trying to sell expensive systems.
Get one if you want, but I have had water from wells and treated city water before and I am allright with what we have here.
My brother owns a couple homes around Punta Gorda and his wells push up salty water so yes, he has it treated.
Just beware of these sales people...they are well trained in the "TRICKS" of the trade. They will take samples of your tap water then add chemicals and then hocus pocus dominosis the water turns in to a nasty glob of crap....neat trick!
I guess I will drink my tap water BEFORE they add the magic chemicals to make it look like something the cat spit out!
If you do have one come over, make sure you do not sign anything till you have checked with several others. You always have the option of getting a system from Lowes or Home Depot and having installed and saving LOTS of money.

[Bryan]

Some people want a whole house water purification system for their own reasons, and that is OK. As long as you understand that there is nothing wrong with TV water, and you chose to spend your hard earned money making good water even better, that is your choice.

Home water purification systems is a source of numerous complaints with various consumer agencies in and around TV. Some sales tactics are very "hard", some systems are very overpriced, and there is considerable pressure from some companies to buy a system that you may not need. Just approach the whole subject with a lot of caution and your hand firmly on your wallet. Above all, don't be rushed into making a high dollor decision by high pressure sales tactics - stay cool, calm and collected, comparison shop, and get what you want when you are ready to get it.

[Bob S]

When we first arrived at our new home in Bonita, we noticed that the tap water had a very strong sulfar odor and taste. We felt in undrinkable. Luckily, people at the neighborhood pool advised us to open up all the faucets for 15 minutes. That cleared up the odor and taste and we were fine with the drinking water. We may have to repeat this procedure if we come back after a few month absence.

[BobKat1]

Sperlings Best Places gives TV Water Quality a rating of 80 vs. an average of 55 for Total U.S (100=Best).

OTOH, I don't know how up to date this information is. Some of the population numbers on their site, don't seem too current.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Hi Bob S
You are right about getting a sulfar smell from water. The hot water tank is the culprit.
If it is electric there is a probe inside and after periods of non use they sometimes produce smell.
Just have to run the water for a while as you said.

[k2at]

Tnx everyone for ur input. When I had a salesman perform the various tests in my home, the water truly looked like it was something the dog spit out. Two different salespeople said that u absorb more water into ur body daily from a shower than u drink, therefore the whole house system instead of just the filter at the sink.

I am holding on to my wallet and trying to sort out a position on this matter.

[Army Guy]

K2at, I had a good laugh at that. Absorb more then you drink! If only that were true, I could stay in the pool all day and never get thirsty!

Army Guy

[zcaveman]

I had a water softener in NJ because I had a well and I liked the feel of the soft water on the body when taking a shower. It did not make me feel sticky. When I moved down here I got a water softener and liked it. I had the potassium chloride version and when the wife had to go on low potassium I shut it off. The showers felt crummy and there was a smell and taste of chlorine in the water on occasion. I replaced the holding tank and went to the salt version and all is well again.

Maybe it is just a spiel but you use less detergent in the washer, and the pipes are cleaner and you do not need to replace the aerators as often with a softener.

Also, the amount of salt that gets through the softener is minuscule and the other chemicals in the water are filtered out also.

As I have said in lots of other posts on water softeners, it is to each his own. I prefer the softener. Others don't.

[skip0358]

I had one of those HIGH PRESSURE sales people over when we first moved in. Your right the warer looked like something the cat dragged in after it was treated. He gave me the price for the whole house system approx. $3500 dollars. After making some phone calls Better buissness etc. I got some literature in the mail the next day. It was an unmarked envelope concerning a company. It went onto list the charges and judgements that were against the company, the employees and the contracted sales person. So beware, check with BBB and Fraud against Seniors. It only takes a call and I'm glad I made it. Your also right the water smell cleaed up also regarding the hot water also correct. Next time your in the shower crank up the hot water and turn on your hand held shower you'll smell the sulfer again.

[GERALDINE]

I really don't think you need one. We have CITY water. These systems are for well water. I think it's an attempt at a major rip-off !!! When we first moved here, 4 years ago, we went to the Villages "Welcome Luncheon" (hey...do they still that??) and they warned us about these guys trying to sell water systems.

[BBQMan]

I am on a different page from most here. The Villages water is hard (lots of dissolved minerals) and makes for a lousy shower or clothes washing. I use a whole house water softener (buy from a reputable outfit like Home Depot or Lowe's). In addition, I use an in-line filter for my refrig water. I CAN taste the difference; if you do not, avoid the extra expense,

Above all, follow skip's advice and do not let the water-softener salesman in your house. Your local big-box store or plumber can save you thousands and deliver a system that is at least as good.