Article: to determine the best water purifying option. Before you determine how to filter your water, send a sample to a laboratory for testing. This will give you a better idea of what harmful minerals besides iron are in your water and help guide you when choosing a water purifying system. Water softeners are generally equipped to replace iron with other minerals in water but may not remove more harmful minerals, like arsenic or sulfur. If you have tested your well water and found other minerals besides iron in it, another option might suit your needs better. Water softeners work by replacing iron minerals with sodium, and they require salt to work. If you cannot currently handle a high sodium diet, another iron removal method (like oxidation filtration or reverse osmosis) might be ideal. Because sodium cannot be absorbed in significant quantities through the skin, using a water softener is safe for low-sodium diets for water that you wash or clean with. Every water softener system is differentsome are simply attached to your well water pump or faucet and can be installed on your own. Others, however, may require professional help to install. Read your model's instructions and, if you are unsure how to properly install the system, call a plumber or the company you bought the system from for assistance. While purchasing water softener salt, look for high-purity options like evaporated or solar salt. These will leave less of a residue in your softener tank. Some water softener salts are made specifically for high iron concentrations. Check the label to find the right salt for your water. After you have installed your water softener system, send another sample to a nearby laboratory for testing. Check for any harmful minerals remaining in the water that your softener system might not have filtered out. If significant levels of any harmful mineral remain, you may want to try a different filtration option.

What is a summary?
Test your well water Choose a water softener exclusively for removing iron. Avoid water softeners if you are on a low sodium diet. Install a water softener system yourself or call a professional. Use high-purity salts in your water softener. Test the well water again after installing a water softener system.