@aliceinwonderland_id, i have pasted the results. Where is says nn it represents none noted. it might be hard to read but note the first number is the result, the 2nd is national standard and the last number In each row is the min. detected level. Test results where contamination was detected at or above the min. detection level , but not above the national standard. Heavy metals: results national standard: Min. detection level Calcium 153.9 nn 2 Copper . 0.008 1.3 0.004 Magnesium 7 nn 0.1 Potassium 1 nn 1 Silica 15.4 nn 0.1 sodium 46 nn 1 zinc 0.01 5 0.004 Other: chloride 39 250 5 sulfate 66 250 5 results national standard: Min. detection level physical factors: alkalinity (total as CaCO3) 370 nn 20 Turbidity .2NTU 1 0.1 Radiologicals: Gross beta 4.33PCi/L nn 4 Test results where the contaminant was detected above the standard, which is not an EPA enforceable maximum contaminant level. Heavy metals: results national standard: Min. detection level manganese 0.053 0.05 0.004 physical factors: hardness 410 100 10 TDS 550 1 0.01 (total dissolved solids) hm I assume it's ferrous since the water does come out clear, BUT I have to say that the water in the toilet for instance is also clear. I will investigate tomorrow when I go to the property if particles develop after leaving out a cup of water for a while and I will let you know. pls let me know what you think regarding results. btw I did not include any results that tested fine. thanks in advance!

The filter and softener each will have losses depending on how much flow you're trying to push through them. So, yes. And placing a section of 3/4" line in the middle of a 1" line will also reduce the pressure, especially since you'll probably have a lot of fittings to get into/out of your filter. You'd get the least pressure loss by piping up to your filter with 1" and then reduce to 3/4" at each connection.

Check out your local extension service for labs in your area that conduct drinking water testing. They can also give you insight as to pollutants of concern that you may want to add onto a standard drinking water test. As long as they are accredited, online labs should be fine. In fact, often times local labs will mail out their samples to other labs if they do not conduct a particular test onsite. No need to test for 100 pollutant parameters. Sticking to the standard tests, plus a few extra parameters you're concerned about, will be a heck of a lot cheaper than a larger-scale analysis--especially if it's treated municipal water. Good luck!

We've had whole house softeners in every house we've owned. Our soft water is great. I've never found washing my hair or anything else to be ridiculous. Could be you're not used to soft water so it seems different. Definitely must have the water tested to see what you're dealing with and as someone else mentioned the outside spigots bypass the softener. At our house in the city the kitchen cold water doesn't go through the softener. I guess the idea is that you have unsoftened drinking water. Our lake house doesn't bypass the kitchen cold and that's what I prefer. Otherwise you still have mineral deposits around the sink, coffee maker, etc.