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The well water is hard and contaminated, and that’s the reason why you need a sediment prefilter for it.
There’s no exemption for the municipally treated water, even though it usually contains fewer sediments.
Sediments in your contaminated water will negatively impact your health and damage your home appliances, fixtures, and piping system.
But fortunately, they are easy to tackle with the sediment filtration technology.
Sediment filters are commonly installed on the front line of the main water filtration system to protect the rest filters and your house fixtures, but more importantly, to protect you and your family.
In this post, I’ve researched over 50 different models of sediment filters to come out with these top 9 best sediment filters for well water and city water.
Top 9 Best Sediment Filters for Well Water & City Water – Expert’s Picks
Model | Image | Reason to Buy | Price |
iSpring WSP100ARB |  | Best Overall Sediment Filter | |
Rusco 2" Spin Down |  | Best Whole House Sediment Filter | |
iSpring WSP100GR |  | Best Engineered Design Filter | |
Aquaboon 20" Housing |  | Best Sediment Filter Housing | |
Spring WSP-100SL |  | Best Descaling Sediment Filter | |
iSpring WSP-100 |  | Best Spin Down Sediment Filter | |
HQMPC Pre-Filter |  | Best Budget Sediment Filter | |
ProPlumber Spin Down |  | Budget Alternative | |
EcoPure EPWO4 |  | Best 10" Sediment Filter Housing |
Why Do You Need a Sediment Filter for Well Water & City Water
Clean and safe water is vital to the human being, but unfortunately, many areas do not have access to clean water due to contamination, which is unavoidable.
Contaminated water is harmful to you, your family, and your house.
Most of the time, the well water is unregulated and untreated, so the water is contaminated, dirty, and contains a lot of sediments like rust, heavy metals, and large particles.
Same for the city water, which carries up many contaminants when traveling to your house, even though it is usually safer and cleaner than well water.
Those large particles will clog your water filtration system easily, causing you a lot of money in replacing those premium water filters.
Therefore, using a sediment filter with the correct filtration size before the pressure tank is important to protect your main water filtration system and water tank from sediments.
With just little investment on the best sediment filter for well water and city water, you and your family can enjoy safe and clean water in your house with peace of mind.
There are three main reasons why you need a sediment filter for your home:
- Improve the water quality
- Extend the lifespan of the main water filtration system
- Protect the home appliances and piping system
1. Improve the Water Quality
Having good quality water is vital to your health and body.
Sediments in water are harmful to your health if drink directly and will negatively affect your skin and hair when showering.
2. Extend the Lifespan of the Main Water Filtration System
Sediments in water will clog your main water filters and reduce their lifespan significantly, which costs you more money and increase the frequency of replacing them.
3. Protect the Home Appliances, Fixtures, and Pipes from Sediments
Sediments will damage your home appliances and fixtures like water heaters, washing machine, coffee maker, dishwasher, shower head, and faucets, causing you a large sum of money to repair and replace these expensive appliances and fixtures.
Besides, sediments will clog your piping system over time and reduce the water pressure. Eventually, you’ll need to hire a professional plumber to flush or replace the pipes.
The 9 Best Sediment Filter for Well Water & City Water Reviews
Here are the reviews of the 9 best sediment filters for well water and city water.
1. iSpring WSP100ARB Reusable Whole Spin-down Sediment Water Filter – Best Overall
- 100-Micron high impact food-grade stainless steel mesh filter screen
- Effectively remove sediments, rust, and large particles
- Flushable & reusable water filter
- Touch-screen auto flushing module
- Built-in scraper
- Lead-free brass filter head
- High capacity
- Explosion-proof transparent housing
- Pressure-resistant and durable materials
- 1” inlet and outlet FNPT and ¾” push-fit fittings
- Up to 35 GPM flow rate
- More
The iSpring WSP100ARB is a reusable spin-down sediment filter with a scraper and auto flushing feature.
The Integrated touch-screen auto flushing module comes with a dual power supply, a power adapter, and AA batteries.
You can use the HD touch screen to enable the filter to flush itself automatically on a preset schedule. There are 3 options you can choose from, which are auto, semi-auto, and manual.
It’s like a sediment well water filter with an auto backwash feature.
The spin-down sediment filter is simple to install with no welding or glue needed and works well with copper, PVC, CPVC, and PEX pipes.
This is the most feature-packed spin-down sediment filter with a high flow rate, large capacity, auto-flushing module, and a high impact good-grade stainless steel mesh filter screen.
The integrated auto flushing module with a scraper saves you time and effort on routine flushing and manual cleaning, just install it and let it take care of itself, no maintenance is needed.
The built-in scraper will effectively scrape off trapped sediment to ensure the filter screen works in optimum condition.
All these great features make it the best whole house sediment filter for well water.
Pros:
- Reusable and flushable
- Auto maintenance mode
- Stainless steel mesh filter screen
- Built-in scraper
- Lead-free brass filter head
- High flow
- High capacity
Cons:
- Require batteries or power supply
- Expensive
2. Rusco 2″ Spin Down Sediment Water Filter 100 Mesh – Best Whole House Sediment Filter
- High water flow rate up to 100 GPM (gallon per minute)
- 100 Mesh filtration size
- Effectively block coarse sediments
- Reusable & flushable water filter
- No cartridge replacement needed
- Spin down separator
- More
This is a flushable spin-down sediment filter for well water that filters out sand, particles, and sediments without the need to replace filter cartridges.
With 100 mesh high-impact molded polyester mesh filter screen to effectively block out sediments with a size larger than 149 microns. Ideal for household well water application.
The transparent polycarbonate housing allows you to monitor the number of trapped sediments with ease.
The 2-inch slip fit PVC inlet and outlet head provides a high flow rate of 100 GPM,
The sediment filter is NSF certified and made from FDA-grade materials.
This is by far the highest flow rate sediment filter for well water at 100 GPM, thanks to the 2 inches PVC inlet & outlet head.
If your house water consumption is high, this is the best whole house sediment filter for you to avoid a drop in water pressure during the simultaneous use of water.
Also, it’s a spin-down flushable sediment filter, meaning you don’t have to replace the cartridge every 2 to 3 months, just periodically turn on the purge valve to flush out the accumulated sediments like sand, dirt, and particles via centrifugal action.
Pros:
- High water flow rate at 100 GPM
- Reusable and flushable
- No need to replace the filter cartridge
- High-impact molded polyester mesh
- High-quality FDA materials
- NSF certified
Cons:
- Need to flush the sediment filter periodically
1-1/2 inches Port Size Option:
Rusco 1-1/2″ Spin Down Separator Sand/Sediment Water Filter
Highlights:
- Fast water flow rate up to 50 GPM
- 1.5” slip port size
- 100 Mesh Polyester Filter Screen
250 Mesh Size Option:
Rusco 1-1/2-250-F Polyester Screened Spin-Down Filter System
Highlights:
- 250 Mesh polyester screen filter
- 1.5” slip port size
- Up to 50 GPM water flow rate
- Flushable whole house water filter
1 inch Port Size Option:
Rusco 1″ 100 Mesh PVC Spin Down Sediment T-Style Water Filter
Highlights:
- 1” slip port size
- 25 GPM water flow rate
- 100 Mesh Filter Screen
- Reusable water filter
3. iSpring WSP100GR Well Water Sediment Filter – Best Engineered Design
- 360-degree rotatable filter head for flexible installation in all directions
- High-impact 100-Micron stainless steel mesh filter screen
- Reusable and flushable
- A built-in rotating scraper to clean filter screen and housing easily
- Pressure gauge
- Clear housing for monitoring
- 1-inch MNPT and 3/4 inch FNPT with double threads on both ends
- More
The WSP100GR is a flushable spin-down sediment filter that comes with a 360° rotatable head, scraper, and pressure gauge.
The system can be installed in any direction thanks to the 360° rotatable head connection.
One unique feature of this WSP100GR spin-down sediment filter is its 360° rotating head which allows it to be installed in any direction.
Most filters can only be installed on horizontal piping, but for this sediment filter, it can be installed even on vertical piping, thanks to the rotatable head.
It’s the best-engineered design sediment filter for well water.
Besides, it has a built-in double-sided scraper that can deeply clean up the stainless steel mesh filter screen and housing by rotating it, saving you time and effort in weekly maintenance while prolonging the lifespan of the filter.
Usually, for well water, the sediments built up will come in two forms, coarse and fine.
The coarse sediments can be easily flush down by opening the valve, but some of the fine sediments will stick to the mesh filter screen.
So by rotating the built-in scraper, it can scrape out most of the fine sediments, so you don’t have to take out the mesh filter screen to brush manually.
Pros:
- 360° rotating head
- Built-in double-sided scraper
- Reusable and flushable spin down design
- High impact stainless steel mesh
- Clear housing
- Pressure gauge
Cons:
- Need to flush manually
4. Aquaboon Big Blue 4.5″ x 20″ Whole House Well Water Filter System – Best Sediment Filter Housing
- 1” port size
- 20” x 4.5” inches filter housing with pressure release
- FDA certified and durable material
- Large capacity
- High flow rate
- Easy installation and filter cartridge replacements
- 1” FNPT threaded input and output
- Compatible with a large variety of filter cartridge
- More
The Aquaboon big blue 4.5 x 20″ whole house well water filter system is suitable for heavy-sediment well water.
The opaque blue sump is made from polypropylene which is strong and resistant to chemicals, and the black cap is made from high-flow polypropylene for stiffness.
The large capacity sediment filter cartridge allows it to collect more sediments before you need to replace a new one.
Besides, the filter housing is sealed tightly with a double O-ring to prevent leaking.
Prefer to buy a sediment filter cartridge and housing separately?
No problem.
This Aquaboon whole house filter housing is the best sediment filter housing for well water that you can get in the market.
It has a 20” large filter capacity that lasts about 12 months, which saves your time and hassle in getting a well water sediment filter replacement.
To me, I’ll always go for a 20” filter capacity whenever possible as it lasts longer, so I don’t have to replace it so frequently.
Most importantly, the sediment filter housing is made from strong and high chemical resistant material for a longer lifespan.
For the replacement sediment filters for well water, you can get any compatible cartridge like the iSpring FP220BX2.
Pros:
- 20” large capacity
- Use with various sizes of the filter
- High-quality housing and cap materials
- Leak-proof
- High water flow rate
Cons:
- Need to buy and replace the filter cartridge
5. iSpring WSP-100SL Spin Down Sediment Water Filter with Siliphos – Best Descaling Sediment Filter
- With Siliphos to eliminate hardness scaling
- 100-micron filtration size (other options available)
- 20 GPM flow rate
- Reusable and flushable
- 1″ MNPT + 3/4″ FNPT
- More
The iSpring WSP-100SL is a 100-micron flushable spin down sediment water filter with Siliphos, a water treatment compound made from food-grade materials that eliminate hardness scaling and stops corrosion of pipes and fixtures.
The Siliphos is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, and will form a thin protective layer on the inside of the plumbing system, replace every 3 month or 20,000 gallons of water.
The filter screen comes with 5 options, which are 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 microns.
This is a combination of a reusable spin-down sediment filter and Siliphos compounds that filter sediments and at the same time stop scale from building up.
With this filter, you don’t have to take out the filter screen and wash off the scale manually.
It’s the best spin-down sediment water filter that prevents scale forming.
Use it in the first line of the water filtration system to protect your plumbing, fixture, appliances, and the rest of the water filters from sediments, rust, sand, and water hardness.
Pros:
- With Siliphos to prevent scale forming
- Reusable and flushable
- Variety of micron size option
Cons:
- Require manual flushing frequently
6. iSpring WSP-100 Whole House Spin Down Filter – Best Spin Down Sediment Water Filter
- 100 Micron filtration
- Reusable and cleanable
- Block sediments, rust, sand, dirt, and large particles
- 1” MNPT + 3/4” FNPT
- Lead-free brass filter head
- Stainless steel mesh filter screen
- FDA housing material
- Easy installation with double threads
- More
For the iSpring WSP series of spin-down flushable whole house sediment filters, you can select a wide range of filtration sizes from 50 to 1000 microns depending on your well’s water quality.
Smaller micron size can block smaller particles but may get it clogged sooner than it should, hence reduce lifespan and filtration efficiency.
Therefore, it’s important to choose according to your well’s water quality.
Unlike traditional sediment filter cartridges, this reusable stainless steel filter screen can be flush regularly
to maintain its performance for well sediment removal, allowing it to be used repeatedly without replacements.
It protects and extends the life of the rest filters behind it by removing the sediments before they reach the rest of your plumbing system, water filters, and appliances.
Besides, this well water sediment filter comes with a brass filter head and a stainless steel filter screen that can last for about 1 to 2 years.
The iSpring WSP-100 Spin Down is the best spin-down sediment water filter for well water that is ideal to be used in the frontline to protect the plumbing and main filtration system from large particles and sediments like sand, rust, silt, and dirt.
If your water well has a high concentration of sediments, it’s recommended to get a higher micron size to prevent it from getting clogged sooner than expected.
Also, to make sure this well water sediment filter is working at an optimum condition, I’ll suggest you flushing it weekly or daily depending on your water usage, amount of sediments in your well water, and the water hardness level.
However, eventually, there will be hard scales forming around the stainless steel filter screen, and flushing alone is not enough to remove them, so you’ll have to take it out and wash it manually with a brush.
Pros:
- Easy maintenance
- Flushable and reusable
- Variety of micron size option
Cons:
- Require manual flushing manually
- Need to brush off the scale periodically
7. HQMPC Spin Down Sediment Pre-Filter – Best Budget Sediment Filter for Well Water
- 40 Micron
- Reusable and flushable spin down filter
- 20 GPM flow rate
- 1″ MNPT + 3/4″ FNPT
- Made from lead-free brass and aviation plastic
- Visual aeronautical plastic shell
- 316L stainless steel mesh filter screen for durability
- Easy to install
- More
The HQMPC spin-down sediment filter is a 40-micron flushable pre-filter for well water solutions.
It’s made from high-grade materials which are lead-free brass, aviation plastic, and 316L stainless steel.
The 316L stainless steel mesh provides higher corrosion resistance.
To flush out the collected sediments, simply open the bottom valve to let it clean by itself.
At 40-micron filtration size, it’s only suitable for well water with a moderate concentration of sediments, if the sediment concentration in well water is high, you may need to flush the filter daily.
Other than that, it’s a great budget sediment filter for well to extend the lifespan of the rest filters.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Reusable and flushable
- Made from high-quality materials
Cons:
- Require frequent flushing
- Need to brush off the fine sediments manually
8. ProPlumber PVC Spin Down Sediment T-Style Water Filter – Budget Alternative
- 100 Mesh polyester filter screen
- Spin down T-style sediment filter
- 1-inch port size
- Clear housing
- Up to 25 GPM flow rate
- More
The ProPlumber sediment filter is a 100 Mesh PVC spin-down sediment filter for well water.
It protects the plumbing and filters from large sediments.
If you are looking for a low-cost flushable spin-down sediment filter and don’t mind the PVC material, then the ProPlumber sediment filter is the one for you.
It’s cheap and does its job at filtering the sediments from well water.
Pros:
- Flushable and reusable
- Inexpensive
- Clear housing
- High water flow rate
Cons:
- PVC materials
- Need to flush frequently
- Need to clean off the sediment scale manually
9. EcoPure EPWO4 Universal Water Filter Housing – Best 10” Sediment Filter Housing
- 10” universal filter housing with pressure release button
- NSF certified
- High flow rate
- High-quality material
- Compatible with most filter cartridges
- More
The EcoPure EPWO4 is a 10 inches universal large capacity whole house water filter housing.
It allows you to use your choice of drop-in-style filters such as EPW4F, EPW4C, EPW4P, and most large capacity universal filters from water filter brands like Culligan, Whirlpool, Watts, GE, Dupont, and 3M.
Looking for a 10” filter housing or a more budget filtration solution?
The EcoPure EPWO4 filter housing is your answer.
It has 3 types of replacement sediment filters for well water, and the most recommended one is the reusable EPW4P pleated water filter.
The pleated water filter is effective against sediments like rust, sand, and dirt.
Also, it’s washable and reusable.
Pros:
- Use with various sizes of the filter
- High flow
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Need to buy and replace the filter cartridge
In rush? Click to skip to the summary of the best sediment filters for well water & city water.
Here’s What I Look For In The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water
Not all well water sediment filters are equal, and here are the few important factors that you need to pay attention to when comes to the best sediment filter for a well.
The best well water sediment filter should give you the best value according to your home situation.
The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is Effective In Removing Sediments From Well Water
As the main purpose of a well water sediment filter is to remove large particles from the well water, it is important to choose the one that can effectively remove them.
Being effective means the micron rating or mesh size of the sediment filter is appropriate, not too large or not too small.
If the micron rating or mesh size is too large, it will let a lot of sediments enter into your home’s plumbing system which defeats the purpose of using a sediment filter.
Likewise, if the micron rating or mesh size is too small, it will get clogged sooner than expected which increases the frequency of maintenance.
The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is Durable
A well water sediment filter is the first line of defense against large particles like sand, rust, and dirt, so it has to be durable to avoid sudden breakdown.
The best whole house sediment filter for well water should be made of high-quality and durable materials to withstand the time, environment, and sediments.
The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is Reusable or High Capacity
A sediment filter is used to filter a large volume of water daily, therefore, it is best to use a high-capacity or flushable sediment filter for well water to reduce the maintenance frequency.
The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is Providing High Water Flow Rate
A sediment filter with a high water flow rate will ensure you and your family members will not face any water pressure drop during the simultaneous use of water.
However, a sediment filter with the highest flow rate doesn’t mean it is the best for your home. You should choose according to your home water usage behavior.
For instance, if your whole home water usage at one point will only reach 7 gallons per minute max, then you probably don’t need a sediment filter with a 50 GPM flow rate. In this case, a sediment filter with a flow rate between 10 to 20 GPM would be a better choice.
The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is Affordable
An expensive sediment filter doesn’t mean it is the best for your home.
The best well sediment filter for your home should be affordable yet performing well in protecting your home from well water contaminants.
What Are Sediments?
Sediments are solids or particles that exist in your water which they are not supposed to, such as sand, silt, rust, dust, clay, rocks, and more.
These sediment particles vary in size, from fine sand to large rocks.
Water doesn’t contain these sediments naturally, but they are picked up by the water when it stays in your private well or when traveling from water treatment plants to your house.
The problem with sediments is that they will bring harmful effects to your life, particularly on your health and properties like household appliances, pipes, and fixtures.
Besides, sediments will also alter the taste and color of water, bring you unpleasant experience in using and drinking it.
What Is a Sediment Filter?
A sediment filter is a filter that’s used to block and remove sediments from the water, so they don’t end up on your skin or in your stomach.
The well water sediment filters are commonly used as pre-filters to other water filters like activated carbon filters and RO water filters to protect them from large particles like sand, stone, and dirt.
They are also used as point-of-entry filters to extend the lifespan of more expensive whole house water filters.
How Sediment Filters Work?
Sediment filters use a physically process to block any particles larger than the size of their pores from passing through the filter screen.
So when the well water that contains sediments flow through the sediment filter, all the sediments will be blocked and left behind, leaving the well water that is free from sediments.
To effectively block a large number of sediments, a sediment filter for well usually uses a wide surface area to capture them.
Some of the well water sediment filters use a multi-gradient filter media to improve filtration efficiency.
How Sediment Filter Protects Reverse Osmosis system
Sediment filters are commonly used as a pre-filter for the Reverse Osmosis system.
The sediment filters can effectively protect the RO membrane and flow restrictor from clogging, which directly improves the RO system efficiency.
How Sediment Filter Improve the Performance of UV filter
Ultraviolet (UV) filters use UV light to damage microorganisms like bacteria and viruses from reproducing and render them harmless.
However, sediment particles in the water will scatter the UV light and cause microorganisms to escape from the UV filter and enter into your drinking water, which is harmful to you.
That’s how important it is to choose the best sediment filter for your well water, especially if your well water quality is bad.
How Sediment Filter Protects the Activated Carbon Filter
Activated Carbon filters can remove sediments through the mechanical process, but at the same time, these sediments will clog the media’s surface and reduce their lifespan.
The main purpose of an activated carbon filter is to remove chlorine, chloramines, chemicals, gases, bad taste, and odor from water, so clogging it sooner is not good in terms of filtration efficiency and cost.
That’s the reason why a sediment filter is needed as a pre-filter for sediments before the activated carbon filter.
How to Choose the Best Sediment Filter for Well Water & City Water [Buying Guide]
The sediment filter before the pressure tank is the first line of defense of your whole water filtration system.
It’s used to block all the sediments like sand, rust, dirt, and large particles to protect the rest plumbing and water filtration system.
To choose the best sediment filter for well water or city water, you need to understand your water source, the micron size, and the types of sediment filter.
Water Source: Well Water or City Water?
The well water usually contains a lot of sediments, and that’s why a flushable spin down or large capacity filter cartridge is preferred, as you can either reuse it or replace it after a long period.
There are two main types of sediment filters for well water & city water filtration:
- Flushable spin down sediment filter
- Water filter housing + sediment filter cartridge (PP filter, multi-gradient filter, or pleated filter)
A flushable spin-down sediment filter allows flushing of the collected sediments through the bottom of the filter when clogged to maintain its performance, and can last for 1 to 2 years with regular cleaning.
The reusable spin down filter is often used by families with high water usage.
For the water filter housing and sediment filter cartridge combo, pick a durable housing as it can be used for many years, just replace the sediment filter every 3 to 12 months depending on filter capacity, water quality, and usage.
For city water, the sediments are usually fewer and smaller, so choose a smaller micron rating of spin-down sediment filter or a large capacity cartridge-based filter to last longer between replacements.
What is Micron Rating for Sediment Filter?
Micron rating refers to the size of filtration pores of a filter, indicating how small a particle can be removed by the filter through a physical blocking process.
A micron is a unit of length equivalent to one micrometer (1μm). A 1-micron particle means it has 1 micrometer (1μm) in diameter.
The smaller the micron rating, the smaller the particles it can remove.
For instance, a 100-Micron filter can remove particles such as sediment, sand, and rust with size above 100 microns from the incoming water, while letting the fine particles with a size less than 100 microns to pass through.
What is Mesh Size In Sediment Filter?
Mesh is a measure of how many filtration pores are there in one inch.
For instance, a 100 Mesh filter screen has 100 holes per inch.
The higher the Mesh value, the smaller the filtration size.
For instance, 100 Mesh is equivalent to 149 Micron, 50 Mesh is 297 Micron, and 200 Mesh is 74 Micron.
What Micron Rating or Mesh Size Filter Shall I Use?
The filtration size, usually measured in Micron or Mesh, indicates how small a particle will be blocked from flowing through.
A 100-micron sediment filter will block all the particles with a size above 100 microns, and allow particles with a size smaller than 100 microns flow through.
Sediment Filter for Well Water: Filtration Strength vs Filter Lifespan
Smaller Micron rating (or higher Mesh size) = Stronger filtration = Shorter filter lifespan
Larger Micron rating (or smaller Mesh size) = Weaker filtration = Longer filter lifespan
The smaller the filtration size, the more sediments it will accumulate over time, hence the more frequent you need to flush or replace it.
Usually, for household well water, a 100 Mesh filter screen or 100-150 Micron filter is ideal to use in the frontline to remove the sediments from water.
However, it still depends on water quality.
Filter with smaller pore size is better in terms of sediment removal, but in return, it gets clogged sooner, while filters with a larger pore size filter block lesser sediments, but it lasts longer.
So, you may need to gauge between the sediment removal and maintenance frequency.
If you use a small micron filter (let’s say 5 microns) for a well with a high concentration of sediments, you’ll find the filter gets clogged sooner than expected.
For instance, a well water sediment filter cartridge that is supposed to last for 3 months ends up clogged in a few days.
As a rule of thumb, the rougher your well water (or city water), the larger the filtration size needed.
Since the concentration of sediments varies across different water sources, it’s better to use a try and error method to find out the optimum micron rating that suits your need.
If you are okay with frequent maintenance for your water filter, then go for a lower micron rating, otherwise, choose a filter with a higher micron rating to reduce the frequency of maintenance.
Of course, the best way is to get multiple sediment filters with different filtration sizes and functions in a line to achieve the best result and filtration efficiency.
Sediment Filter for Well Water: Filtration Strength vs Water Flow Rate
Smaller Micron rating (or higher Mesh size) = Stronger filtration = Slower water flow rate
With the water flow rate in mind, you shouldn’t install a 1 micron sediment filter as the pre-filter for the whole house, first it’s not an efficient way (you may need to replace it every 1 to 2 months), second is the will impact your water flow rate.
The better way is to install a sediment filter with a larger micron size on the front line, like between 10 to 500 micron depends on your water quality, and gradually reduce the micron rating toward your inner house.
In short, use a large micron sediment filter for point-of-entry filtration and use a small micron rating for point-of-use filtration.
The 4 Types of Sediment Filters for Well Water & City Water
The sediment filters come with 4 types of configurations to meet different consumers’ needs.
There are:
- Spin-down sediment filter
- Polypropylene (PP) sediment filter
- Multi-gradient sediment filter
- Pleated sediment filter
1. Spin-Down Sediment Filter
Spin-down sediment filters are reusable and flushable, making them ideal choices for pre-filtration solution for the whole house filtration.
How spin-down sediment filter for well water works?
Spin-down sediment filters use a physical process to block sediments.
They are available in a wide range of filtration sizes, from 20 to 1,000 micron.
For instance, you can install a 100-micron spin down sediment filter at the main water entry and a 20-micron spin down filter before the house for overall filtration efficiency.
Once the spin-down sediment filter is clogged, just open the valve and let the water flush off the trapped sediments.
For well water, you can install two spin-down sediment filters with different micron size to deal with a large number of sediments.
For city water, one is usually enough, but you install more to reduce the frequency of flushing.
When to use the spin-down sediment filter?
If you don’t want to replace filter cartridges regularly or use a bulky large capacity cartridge-based sediment filter, then spin-down sediment filters are a better choice for you.
They can be flush regularly to reuse it and come in a smaller size.
The benefits of spin-down sediment filter are:
- Flushable and reusable
- Small size
- No filter cartridge replacement needed
- Some come with the auto-flush feature
- High water flow rate
2. Polypropylene (PP) Sediment Filter
Cartridge-based sediment filters are highly popular in household usage, and the most common filter cartridge is Polypropylene filter.
Polypropylene (PP) sediment filters are cheap, effective, and available in smaller micron rating, usually from 1 to 50 micron.
The smaller micron rating (1 to 5 micron) PP filters are a perfect choice for point-of-use filtration, and the larger micron rating (10 to 50) are great for the whole house filtration for city water, or as a second sediment filter for well water, right after the spin-down sediment filter.
The benefits of polypropylene sediment filters are:
- Effective against sediments
- Cheap
- Easy to get
3. Multi-Gradient Sediment Filter
Multi-gradient sediment filters consist of multiple layers of filtration screen with different micron sizes from a larger rating (outer layer) to the smaller rating (inner layer) to make sediment filtration more efficient.
Due to the depth of these filter cartridge, they can collect a large number of sediments before needing to replace them.
The benefits of multi-gradient sediment filters are:
- Last longer
- More efficient to deal with sediments with various particle size
4. Pleated Sediment Filter
Pleated sediment filter cartridges are washable and reusable, making them great alternatives to PP sediment filter.
They are made from a thin sheet of polyester or polypropylene and folded into pleats and have a large surface area due to the accordion shape.
The large surface area allows them to capture a larger amount of sediments without reducing the water flow rate and last longer than the PP cartridges.
Benefits of pleated sediment filters are:
- Higher capacity and last longer
- Washable
- Higher water flow rate
- Lower pressure dropping
Filter Capacity
You should choose the filter capacity based on your family size.
Most of the cases, the larger the filter capacity the better as you don’t have to change the filter cartridge that frequent.
But if your family size is small, it’s not advisable to spend a higher cost to get more capacity than you need.
The Pros & Cons of Sediment Filter for Well Water & City Water
Pros:
- Effective in removing sand, rust, silt, larger particles, and iron sediment in well water
Cons:
- Unable to reduce the TDS level in the water
- Unable to remove microorganisms in water
- Unable to get rid of unpleasant smell, taste, and odor (That’s activated carbon filter’s job)
- Unable to remove hardness minerals
As you may already know, the sole purpose of a well water sediment filter is to remove sediments.
For total dissolved solids (TDS), it’s the Reverse Osmosis filter’s job.
For microorganisms, it’s the ultraviolet (UV) filter or Reverse Osmosis filter’s job.
For the unpleasant smell, taste, and odor, it’s the activated carbon filter’s job.
For hardness minerals, it’s the salt-based or salt-free water softener’s job.
An ideal water filtration system is never a standalone filter, but a multi-stages of water filter with different removal capabilities that are put together to achieve the best filtration result and efficiency.
Ideal Whole House Water Filtration System for Well Water (Setup)
For example, here’s my line of multi-stage water filtration setup:
- 100 Micron spin down sediment filter (iSpring WSP100ARB) – flush weekly
- 20 Micron 20” large capacity sediment filter (Aquaboon 20” + iSpring FP220BX2)
- Fleck 5600SXT 64,000 Grain Water Softener
- Express Water Heavy Metal 3-Stages Whole House Filter (5 microns)
- HQUA-OWS-12 Ultraviolet Water Sterilizer Filter
- Waterdrop Tankless Reverse Osmosis WD-G3-W (sub-micron)
Of course, I’m quite particular on water quality, and you don’t have to follow me, just to show you one of the ideal water filtration system setups with gradient micron ratings for the best efficiency.
For greater protection, add a few more point-of-use filters like shower filters and faucet water filters.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Sediment Filter for Well Water & City Water
For flushable spin-down sediment filter, the regular flushing will wash off most of the larger sediments, but the fine sediment will stick on the mesh filter screen and form scale.
To maintain the filter performance, you have to take out the mesh filter screen and brush it to remove the fine sediments.
You can also soak it in a vinegar solution to get rid of stubborn sediment scales.
For Water Filter Housing with a Pleated Sediment Filter Cartridge:
- Take out the clogged filter cartridge and wash it gently to remove the trapped sediments
- Clean the water filter housing with water
- Put back the cleaned pleated sediment filter cartridge into the filter housing
- Tighten the filter housing
For Water Filter Housing with a Non-reusable Sediment Filter Cartridge:
- Take out the clogged filter cartridge and throw it
- Clean the water filter housing with water
- Put a new sediment filter cartridge into the filter housing
- Tighten the filter housing
How Often Shall You Change The Sediment Filter
It depends on the filter capacity and your water usage, but generally, you should change a cartridge-type sediment filter every 3 to 12 months.
Besides, when you notice a significant drop in your water pressure, that means the sediment filter is clogged and needs to be replaced.
If you are using a sediment filter with transparent housing, you may monitor the sediments build-up and brownish color on the filter screen and replace it accordingly.
Summary: Comparison of the Best Sediment Filters for Well Water & City Water
Here’s the quick comparison of the top 9 best sediment filter for well water & city water:
| Model | Filter Size | Best for | Price |
| iSpring WSP100ARB | 50/100 Micron | Best Overall | Check |
| Rusco 2″ Spin Down | 100 Mesh | Best Whole House | Check |
| iSpring WSP100GR | 50/100 Micron | Best Design | Check |
| Aquaboon 20″ Housing | 5-50 Micron | Best Housing | Check |
| iSpring WSP-100SL | 50-1k Micron | Best Descale | Check |
| iSpring WSP-100 | 50-1k Micron | Best Spin Down | Check |
| HQMPC Pre-Filter | 40 Micron | Best Budget | Check |
| ProPlumber Sediment Filter | 100 Mesh | Budget Alternat. | Check |
| EcoPure EPWO4 | 5-30 Micron | Best 10″ Housing | Check |
FAQ for the Best Sediment Filter
1. What filter do I need for well water?
You need a sediment filter as the first defense to protect the rest filters, plumbing, and appliances from sediments, sand, rust, and large particles.
2. Should I filter my well water?
Yes. You should always filter the well water due to the sediments and contaminants in the well water. Unfiltered well water can cause serious health effects on the human body, which causes illness and even fatal. Besides, unfiltered well water has unpleasant color, smell, taste, and odor, which is hardly consumed by people.
3. Which is better: 5 microns or 50 microns?
5 micron is better in terms of particle removal, and 50 micron is better in terms of lifespan. It all comes down to the well water quality of your home and your family’s water usage.
4. Why is there so much sediment in my well water?
It’s a common issue for household well water. The high amount of sand and silt sediments in well water can be due to causes like pump depth, lowered water table, or failure of filter screen and well pump, and more.
5. How much is a filter for a well?
The sediment filter cost for well water is ranging from $30 to $250, depending on the quality, capacity, features, and certification.
6. What are the problems with well water?
The common issues for well water are the high sediment concentration, high total dissolved solids (TDS) level, hardness, and microorganisms.
7. What micron filter should I use?
Usually, a filter with 40 to 150 microns is ideal for household well water.
8. Is it safe to drink water with sediment?
While the sediment particles in water may not cause serious health issues, it can alter the taste of water and is not recommended to drink it.
9. How to install sediment filters for well water?
If you are not a DIY person, it’s best to hire a professional plumber to avoid installation errors.
10. How do I know if my well water is contaminated?
You can look for the cloudiness or turbidity in well water, it could be a signal that the well water is contaminated with pathogens. Also, you can tell from the unpleasant smell and weird taste of the well water.
11. Will sediment filter lower down the TDS level of the water?
No. A sediment filter is used to remove sediment and not total dissolved solids, to reduce TDS in water, please use a Reverse Osmosis system.
Conclusion: The Best Sediment Filter for Well Water Is The Filter That Fit Your Home Situation The Most
Getting the best sediment filter for well water and city water is the first step to having clean and safe water for your house.
If yet have the well water filter, then get one today for your family’s health.
While city water is usually safer and less contaminated, however, it still contains a lot of sediments that picked up during the transit from the water treatment plant to your home.
To conclude, sediment water filters play an important role to protect your family’s health and the main water filtration system.
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I really like no.1. We have well water and were having problems with deposits and build-up in all of our faucets and appliances so we bought this filter. The product is great, I am very satisfied with it.
I just wanted to share my experience with you. Only a few years back, I was fed up with my well sediment when even started to reach the piping and tubes of my house, I did tried some of the top selling sediment filters of popular brands, but much to my dismay, none of them worked out as I expected, i just wanted to give a one last try but I was sure that this wasn’t gonna work too, anyway, I brought home a iSpring WSP-100. Now it has been almost 3 years and it’s working quite great. Thank God i made the right decission
Glad to hear that!
My house has a well and its sediment ratio is high so I want to buy a major water filter for my well. I research some other articles before reading your article and I seem that iSpring WSP100ARB is often stand in the top list and I think I will buy it. Thanks for sharing!
You’re the most welcome, I strongly believe the iSpring WSP100ARB sediment filter will serve you well.
I must say that iSpring is a great product. Ispring had 2 crews install the filter for me. easy to clean. my water is from the well. the previous owner of the house spent tons of money on water filters but still can not solve the problem. Ispring finally solved my water problem. Thanks for sharing!