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What Micron Filter Is Best for Well Water?
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The right filter micron rating is one of the main decisions to make when setting up a whole house filtration system for well water. Too coarse a filter will let sediment through; too fine a filter will clog quickly and reduce water flow.
The ideal micron filter for well water would be determined by the quality of your water, the level of sediment, and whether it is a pre-filter or the primary stage of filtration.
What Does Micron Mean?
A micron (μm) is a unit of measurement equal to one-millionth of a meter. This is also known as the size of particles a filter can capture.
In general:
- Lower micron ratings mean smaller particles are captured.
- Higher micron ratings mean more water flow and a longer filter life.
For example, a 1-micron filter — it captures much smaller particles than a 50-micron filter.
50 Micron Filters
The 50-micron filter is a filter for coarse sediments and is usually applied as the first stage of filtration when, for example, the well water is rather dirty with visible debris.
Common applications of these filters include the filtration of sand, gravel, rust flakes, large sediment particles, and dirt. Due to the large pore size, these filters normally exhibit a high flow rate and can be used for a relatively long time before replacement is needed.
Best For
- Well water with heavy sediment
- Initial pre-filtration
- Protecting downstream filters
Advantages
- Excellent flow rate
- Longer filter lifespan
- Less frequent clogging
20 Micron Filters
A 20-micron filter strikes a balance between removing sediments and allowing water to pass. It can trap finer particles than a 50-micron filter and still ensure good pressure in the whole house.
Such filters find common application in whole house water filter systems where moderate levels of sediment exist.
Best For
- Moderate sediment contamination
- Whole house pre-filtration
- General well water applications
Removes
- Fine sand
- Rust particles
- Dirt
- Larger silt particles
10 Micron Filters
The 10 micron filter is the best choice for most residential whole house filtration systems.
It captures much finer sediment at this level while still allowing for reasonable water flow and filter life.
Best For
- Most residential well water systems
- Protecting carbon filters
- Multi-stage whole house systems
Removes
- Fine sediment
- Rust
- Silt
- Sand particles
- Visible suspended solids
Most homeowners find the 10 micron sediment filter to be a very good balance between filtration performance and maintenance.
5 Micron Filters
A 5 micron filter will provide finer sediment removal and is commonly used as the second stage in whole house filtration.
These filters will help improve clarity and add more protection for the downstream filtration equipment.
Best For
- Cleaner well water
- Multi-stage filtration systems
- Carbon filter protection
Removes
- Fine sediment
- Small rust particles
- Fine silt
- Suspended particles
Most whole house water filtration systems use a 5-micron sediment filter before carbon filtration to optimize overall system performance.
1 Micron Filters
A 1-micron filter provides very fine filtration and can capture much smaller particles than standard sediment filters.
These filters are commonly applied when the quality of water needs further polishing before it reaches the house.
Best For
- Very fine sediment removal
- High-quality well water filtration
- Advanced filtration systems
Removes
- Extremely fine sediment
- Small rust particles
- Fine silt
- Many microscopic suspended particles
Since 1-micron filters are much finer, they may need more frequent replacement if the water has heavy sediment levels.
Which Micron Filter Is Best for Well Water?
There is no single micron rating that works for every well.
A general guideline is:
|
Water Condition |
Recommended Micron Rating |
|
Heavy sand and sediment |
50 micron |
|
Moderate sediment |
20 micron |
|
Average residential well water |
10 micron |
|
Fine sediment removal |
5 micron |
|
Maximum sediment reduction |
1 micron |
Most homeowners get the best results with multiple filtration stages. E.g., use a 20-micron or 10-micron sediment filter as the first stage, then a 5-micron filter or carbon filter as the second stage.
Should You Use Multiple Micron Ratings?
A multi-stage filtration system is typically considered more effective than a single filter in many well water applications. For example:
- First stage: 50 micron for large debris
- Second stage: 10 micron for finer sediment
- Third stage: Carbon filtration for taste and odor improvement
This approach helps extend filter life while providing more thorough filtration throughout the home.
Conclusion
The ideal micron rating for a filter for well water depends on how much sediment there is and the particle size in your water supply. Heavy sediment usually does well with 50-micron filters while moderate debris is best controlled with 20-micron filters. Most homeowners, however, prefer 10-micron or 5-micron filters because they strike the best balance between filtration performance and water flow. For enhanced protection, in an area where sediment is a major issue, especially in a multistage whole house filtration system, a 1-micron filter will greatly help in reducing the sediment to the utmost level.
