A water treatment install in Washington is less dramatic than most homeowners expect. Much of the day is measuring, shutting things off, and checking that the new equipment does what the test results said it should do. Knowing the order of events makes it easier to tell a careful job from a rushed one.
Before anyone comes out
Start with your water data. If you are on city water, gather the most recent public water report for your address. Washington's public reports describe the tap water as very hard and list iron and radium among the topics they cover. Write down what the report says, and note any taste, staining, or odor you have noticed on fixtures and laundry.
If you are on a private well, the work starts earlier. Wells in the Franklin County area are not tested by anyone on your behalf, so the data you bring has to come from your own testing. A recent lab report covering hardness, iron, hydrogen sulfide, nitrate, and bacteria will tell the person visiting your home far more than a description from memory.
The site visit
A good visit is mostly about the building. The person looking at your home should trace the main water line from where it enters, find the water heater, and identify a spot where a bypass can go. They should check whether a drain is close enough for the discharge line, whether an outlet is nearby if the equipment needs power, and how much clear floor space is available in the utility room, garage, or crawl space.
On a well, they should also look at the pressure tank, the pump location, and any existing filters. Pipe material matters too, since older galvanized or copper lines can react differently to changes in water chemistry, so the visit should note what is already there.
Testing on site
Many technicians run a quick on-site check for hardness and iron before recommending anything. Ask what the test covers and what it does not. A strip or meter reading is useful for a first look, but it is not a substitute for a full lab analysis, especially on a private well where the list of possible problems is longer.
What the written proposal should include
Before any equipment is ordered, the proposal should be in writing and should say:
- What equipment is proposed and what each piece is meant to address
- Which test results the sizing is based on
- What is included, such as fittings, bypass valves, drain connection, and startup
- What is not included, such as electrical work, plumbing changes, or pump service
- Warranty terms in plain language, and who handles service after the install
If a proposal does not explain how the equipment was sized, ask for that explanation before you agree.
Install day, step by step
- The main water supply is shut off and the lines are relieved of pressure.
- Existing pipe is cut and fitted, with bypass valves placed so the home can still get water when the equipment is serviced later.
- The equipment is set level on a stable surface, and connections are checked for fit before anything is fully tightened.
- The drain line is run to an approved discharge point, with a gap where required so the drain cannot siphon back.
- Any electrical connection is made by a qualified electrician if local code calls for one.
- The system is filled slowly, the bypass is set, and the water is turned back on.
- On a well, the disinfection step is done according to the procedure written for that system, and the water is run until its chemistry settles.
Startup and the first week
Startup is where the settings get made. The equipment should be programmed from your test results, not from factory defaults, and the technician should show you how to read the display, check salt or media levels, and operate the bypass. Run hot and cold taps, check every connection for drips, and confirm the drain is flowing properly. Keep your water report and the proposal together with the equipment manual.
Private wells need a few extra steps
Well installs usually add checks that a city water install does not. Hydrogen sulfide is the gas that gives water a rotten egg smell, and it is often handled by its own equipment. Nitrate comes from farm land and septic systems and can only be measured by a lab. Radium occurs naturally in some deeper bedrock aquifers in this part of Missouri, and it also needs a lab test to measure. After flooding, bacteria testing belongs at the top of the list before any other step. Ask which of these your well has been tested for, and if the answer is none, schedule that testing first.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which test results is this design based on?
- Where will the bypass and drain go, and will the layout still leave room for service?
- Who will service the equipment after install, and how do I reach them?
- What happens to my settings and warranty if I move or change water sources?