Essentially what we do. Member’s Mark (Sams Club) for drinking. Uses reverse osmosis. Prefer over “spring” water.

It does make a difference
 

I'm not pushing any type of filtration system. I purchased a top-of-the-line unit which sits in my garage. It does make a difference and I realized it right away. I would change the filter in my refrigerator ever so many months, not only would the frig remind me with an alert, but the flow would slow to a trickle. I still have refrigerator filters in my closet, but when the alert sounds, I just reset it. Also, I notice right away I no longer had lime build up. I've had the system for about three years.

What system do you have? Our current whole house filter that needs to be changed every 3 months turns orange within a week when newly installed.

A Nova system for me. So much sand and grit in our chlorine water. Nova removes all at a small price.

Very pleased with Nova. And it was designed by a Village resident.

Filtration does not remove minerals, just anything in the water that is floating around that is above a certain micron size. A water softener is needed to remove minerals. There is no question of the water safety, our water is safe. I believe that we like the water we grew up drinking the best and water that tastes differently from that just does not taste as good. A filter can mitigate that taste factor. Yes, I went with NOVA and it does taste better.

I would think there is no harm in a Nova-type system. Definitely do not install a water softener or RO System. They are like printers... relatively cheap to buy, but they kill you on the ink refills. Also, if they sit for a month, the water does go bad and you have to sanitize the whole system. I had a softener and a RO system in my pre-owned home. I fought with them for a year and finally just tore them out.

None - hyped up demand. Don't need.

Basic softener and filters
 

The Village's water is rather hard and heavily chlorinated. You will be happy if you purchase a basic softener and filter combination.

1. Buy a simple salt-based softener. If you haven't owned one before, it eliminates soap scum on your laundry, shower walls, your hair and everything else. You'll use less soap and everything will be cleaner. Don't listen to sales pitches for anything other than the simple salt-based system. No salt is added to your water. It is only used to exchange a. sodium ion(which is not salt) for a calcium ion, the calcium being the reason the water is "hard". Most likely, you will have to fill the salt tank only once a year. I fill ours every January as the date is easy to remember. I checked the level today and it is still half full.

2. Buy a simple two-stage cartridge filter system. The first filter removes sediment, the second is activated charcoal and removes chlorine and anything else which would create an odor. Your tap water will taste and smell just like bottled water.

There is no need to buy a three-stage filter system. The third filter is to remove heavy metals, none of which are present in our water.

Here's the best piece of advice and one which I wish I had been given. Buy the 10 inch filters and not the 20". These are the lengths of the filters and plastic holders. The filters are held in an elongated blue plastic cup with threads at the top which screw into the holder. Installing new filters is relatively easy. Removing them is not. When you remove a filter, it is filled with water and is very heavy. You will be on your hands and knees and working upside down. You will put a large wrench on the filter and, probably, hitting it with a hammer to break it free. You will then be turning the filter by hand and hoping you can hold it when it is finally free of the holder. Of course, you'll have a bucket under the filter to catch any water which overflows the cup. However, it is quite cumbersome to do this without getting yourself and the floor of your garage wet. The 10 inch filters are much easier to handle.

The softeners and filter sets are sold at Home Depot and Lowes and each will set you up with a qualified plumber. Nova is a reputable dealer/installer, although they try to sell a three-filter 20" set. Any plumbing company will sell and install the equipment. Ask your neighbors for recommendations and read the many postings on this site.

water filtration systems
 

When we first moved in, the water filter guys came flooding to our door! Especially the really, really overpriced ones! We went with Nova after much research. No regrets. Great system and great service.

you don't really need to do anything... OR you can be like the rest of them and get suckered in for all those things. mine had both - such a waste of money. We've lived in Florida for decades never needed any of it. So I removed all of it and everything is fine.

I am interested in your notifications about drinking water quality. Are Federal drinking water standards not being met here? Most treatment is for aesthetic reasons.

We didn’t like the taste, sporadic chlorine smell, and sediment so we installed a whole house Nova filter (~$600) and have a Pur Plus filter for drinking water, although it isn’t needed. We will upgrade as needed.

Water
 

IMO large three element water filter and a softener. Just don't fall the scam people wanting 8000 to 13000 for a system. Professionaly in stalled should be under 4000. I did it myself for about 1100. Softener from Discount Water softener on line and filter from Amazon

"Turbidity" is the term used to quantify the cloudiness of water. It is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Drinking water should have a turbidity level of less than 0.3 NTU or even lower, and it is regulated by the EPA. It would be interesting if a water treatment company like NOVA would measure the turbidity level of their customer's water before and after installing a system, rather than to show you a photo of a new clean filter and a discolored one a year later. It is very easy to do, and it would provide a more definitive measurement of the effectiveness of their system.

Water system
 

[
We live north of 466 and when we moved in 4 years ago the dishwasher was so caked with mineral sediment I couldn’t get it off so we bought a Kinetico System, very happy with it.

QUOTE=rexhays;2140805]I am purchasing a new home and am researching best water treatment options. I have been recommended three options: water softener, reverse osmosis & filtration system. Looking for best system based on cost, effectiveness and maintenance. Thank you for any input![/QUOTE]