Whole-house water filtration in Hobbs
A softener handles hardness. Whole-house filters handle other problems. Here's how to tell which ones you actually need.
Whole-house filtration treats everything coming into the home rather than one faucet. Which filters make sense depends on what's in your water, so the test comes first. On city water, people often add a carbon filter to take the edge off chlorine taste and smell. On a private well, the list of possible problems is longer, and sediment protection is often the first step.
What filters are common?
- Sediment filters catch sand and grit, especially from wells, and protect the softener and fixtures further down the line.
- Carbon filters reduce chlorine taste and odor and some organic compounds.
- Iron and manganese filters for water that leaves orange or black stains. NDSU Extension says some softeners can remove up to about 10 ppm of iron and manganese, and higher levels may need a separate iron removal system.
- Specialty media for a specific problem a lab test turns up.
Will a whole-house filter fix arsenic or nitrate?
Usually not in the way people hope. The City of Hobbs' 2024 report shows low levels of arsenic, uranium and nitrate, all under federal limits. Those are typically handled at a drinking tap with a certified point-of-use system rather than by a whole-house sediment or carbon filter. If they're your main concern, ask about reverse osmosis, and ask which certifications the system carries for the specific contaminant.
What order does the equipment go in?
When there are several pieces, a sediment filter usually goes first, then any specialty filter, then the softener. The company should explain why its layout fits your test results.
What upkeep comes with it?
Every filter needs some attention: cartridge changes, backwashing or new media. Ask how often, what it involves and whether a backwashing filter needs a drain nearby before you commit.
The water treatment company sets the price after it has tested your water, looked at your plumbing and worked out what equipment fits. We don't quote prices. Treat any figure you hear over the phone, before anyone has tested the water or seen where the unit would go, as a rough starting point only.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does a softener also filter the water?
No. A softener removes hardness minerals. It doesn't take out chlorine taste or sediment, and it isn't designed to treat contaminants.
Should I test my well before buying filters?
Yes. The New Mexico Environment Department recommends regular well testing, and a lab result lets you match equipment to the real problem.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Water softener repair
- Water softener replacement
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
More background: Hobbs hard water guide.
Scale on the shower head or a softener that quit on you?
Call the number above and we'll connect you with a water treatment company that works in Hobbs and Lea County.