Find the Best Water Softeners and Treatment Systems in Madison, WI

Choosing a water treatment system in Madison

When shopping for water treatment systems in Madison, know your objective: Is it to remove certain components from your water? Make your water softer? Madison has very hard tap water due to the rock formation surrounding the sandstone aquifer that’s the source of the city’s water. In response, many homeowners use water softeners to remove excess calcium and magnesium. There are different types of water filter systems to strip chemicals, heavy metals and other contaminants from your home’s water. These systems can be installed at the water’s point of entry to your home or at an individual faucet or showerhead.

Here are some of the most common types of water filter systems in Madison, including eco-friendly options.

• Whole-house water filters: Unlike sink water filters, these point-of-entry systems filter water throughout the home, whether it’s the kitchen faucet or the laundry machine. This prevents mineral buildup on fixtures and improves the taste of your water.
• Activated carbon filters: Carbon filters absorb contaminants in the water, providing you with cleaner, better-tasting water. These filters can be installed at the point of entry or the point of use.
• Water softeners: Water softeners replace calcium and magnesium in the water with sodium or potassium, giving the water a smoother feeling and reducing the hard water buildup. If your home’s water has bacteria or algae, water conditioners can remove those contaminants as well.
• Reverse osmosis: Using a semipermeable membrane, RO water filters remove fluoride, sediment, chlorine, pesticides and other contaminants.
• UV disinfection: Ultraviolet purification is recommended if there's a risk of bacteria or viruses in your water supply. It kills microorganisms in the water, but does not remove particles or chemicals.
• Salt softeners: Most water softeners use salt to strip excess minerals from the water. Salt may come in pellets, crystals or as block salt. This does not result in a salty taste to your water.
• Water distillation: Distilled water has been boiled to vapor, then recondensed to liquid in a separate container, leaving the contaminants behind. These are available as countertop systems.

Some water filtration companies in Madison only sell the filters or softeners, but others include installation and maintenance as well. Local plumbers can install and repair filtration or water softening systems if the manufacturer does not. Before you purchase your water treatment system online or in a store, research the company’s reputation, warranties and money-back guarantees in the event you aren’t satisfied.

How much does a water filtration system cost in Madison?

The average water softener cost in Madison ranges from $650 to $2,000, including installation, but there are do-it-yourself options available for as low as $250. Water filtration systems cost anywhere from $300 to more than $4,000. The type of filtration or purification system and the extent of the treatment (point-of-use versus whole-home, or point-of-entry) will affect the price of the water treatment system. Water softeners and filters may increase your water bill by a small amount, but eco-friendly solutions typically do not.

Madison softeners and treatment systems FAQ

How does water treatment work?

The process depends on the type of water treatment system you have in your home. Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium ions from water, replacing them with sodium ions. Reverse osmosis pressurizes water and puts it through a semipermeable membrane, removing contaminants. Ultraviolet radiation kills microorganisms in water by attacking their genetic structure.

Are permits required in Madison to install a water treatment system?

You need a permit in the City of Madison to install a water softener. Contact the city for permit information regarding other water treatment systems, and ask your water treatment system company in Madison if it will help you obtain a permit.

Do saltless water softeners really work?

Saltless water softeners can prevent buildup of minerals, but they don’t remove calcium and magnesium from water the same way salt systems do. The most effective way to completely remove excess minerals with a water softener is with the use of salt.

Will a whole-house filter soften water?

Yes, some whole-house filters remove minerals from the water and provide softer water, in addition to removing lead, mercury and other contaminants.

How much does a UV filtration system cost in Madison?

An average UV filtration system costs around $500 for a point-of-use installation. Whole-home filtration is more expensive, typically ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.