Questions to Ask Before Buying a Whole-Home Water System

About your water

1. What did my test show? Ask for the results in writing, in plain words.
2. What is the system meant to change? Taste and odor, chlorine or chloramine, hardness, iron, something else.
3. Did you check my utility's water quality report? City water customers can read the annual Consumer Confidence Report. See how to read it.
4. Is a lab test needed for anything? Some contaminants require a certified lab. See home screening vs lab analysis.

The EPA's WaterSense guide recommends setting treatment goals from your water information before you choose equipment.

About the equipment

1. What is it certified for? Ask for the certification listing and performance data sheet for the exact model. See how to read a listing.
2. How was it sized? Household size, bathrooms, peak flow and water use.
3. Does it treat chloramine, or just chlorine? The difference matters; see the chloramine guide.
4. Is a softener included, and is it needed? See softener vs filter.
5. Who makes it? Living Water uses equipment by Puronics, a water treatment manufacturer since 1947.

About installation

• Where will it go, and is there a drain and power there? See space needs.
• Is a bypass valve included?
• Are permits or HOA approvals needed?
• What is included in the quoted installation, and what would be extra?
• How long will the water be off?

About ownership

• What maintenance does it need, and how often?
• Which parts are replaced, and where do I get them?
• How much water and salt (for softeners) does it use? The EPA notes that softeners use water during regeneration and that efficiency ratings help compare models.
• Who services it, and how do I reach them?

See the annual cost of owning a whole-home filter for what to budget questions around.

About the paperwork

• Can I see the full written warranty? See what a warranty includes.
• Is the quote itemized: equipment, installation, extras?
• If financing is offered, who is the lender and what are the terms? Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. See financing questions before you apply.
• Is there any pressure to sign today? A good decision can wait a day.

What good answers sound like

Specific, written and tied to your results: "Your test showed this, so we recommend this model, certified for these claims, installed here, maintained on this schedule." Jorge's free in-home test ends with that kind of plain explanation and an itemized quote, and he recommends only what fits your water. No obligation.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist