Best Acid Neutralizer for Well Water

So, you have acidic water (has a pH < 7) and you’re determined to do something about it.

That’s great and it’s even better that you are looking for an acid neutralizer (sometimes called a pH neutralizer) to help solve your tap water’s low pH problems.

I am very aware of the issues that acidic-leaning water can cause after having to balance the water in swimming pools for over 26-years that were often supplied by wells.

In this article, I will go over in more detail how to select the best acid neutralizer for well water. 

This includes discussing the pros and cons of some of the best models available and teaching what traits to concentrate on when shopping for a pH neutralizer.    

Find The Right Section…

• Find our acid neutralizer systems for well water best of list
• Find the evaluation criteria we used to select the best PH neutralizers 
• Find our PH neutralizer system individual reviews
• Learn more about acid neutralizers with our buyers guide

Best Acid Neutralizers Compared

What to Look for When Choosing a pH Neutralizer

Buying a whole house acid neutralizer is not as simple as you might think. That’s because there are some characteristics which you should concentrate on more than others when you go to purchase one. 

Price

Of course, just like with any item that you are shopping for, your acid neutralizer purchasing budget will inevitably influence your purchasing decision.

As far as the price of these low pH correction systems goes you will find that most are within a few hundred dollars of each other. This usually equates to your purchasing decision being more dependent on the other characteristics of acid neutralizers on this list.

Your Well Water’s tested pH

Before you start shopping for an acid neutralizer, you will want to test your well water to determine its pH level using a water test kit. This is important for several reasons. 

The most important of which is that all acid neutralizers are not impactful at all pH levels. 

Media Used to Raise pH

These are two very important characteristics of acid neutralizers. They are so important that each one will be discussed in much greater detail later on in this article.

The pH level of your well water is used to determine which of these traits your pH neutralizer should have. That’s why it’s so important to know your water supply’s pH reading before you start shopping for a whole house acid neutralizer.

Flow Rate

Knowing an acid neutralizing device’s stated flow rate is important when it comes to choosing the right one for you. This is usually clearly stated by the manufacturer on the product’s description or packaging. 

The bigger your home, the higher the flow rate you will need it so your home’s overall water pressure is not impacted. 

Ease of Installation and Maintenance

There is not much difference installation-wise no matter what type of pH neutralizer you purchase. Most need to be professionally installed because they will have to be connected to the water line that comes into your home from your well.

You also want to be aware of how easy a system is to operate and what types of steps are required to maintain it.

Warranty/Guarantees

If an acid-neutralizing system comes with a money-back guarantee or a long warranty, it will give you more confidence when purchasing it. 

Review of Best pH Neutralizer Systems

Review Order

1. Springwell Calcite pH Neutralizer
2. SoftPro pH Neutralizer
3. Fleck 2510 SXT pH Neutralizer
4. USWS pH Balancing System

Here is what I have determined to be the top acid neutralizers that are available based on my analysis of them, how user’s rate them, and other manufacturer-supplied information.

#1 SpringWell Calcite pH Neutralizer

There are many reasons why I chose this acidic well water neutralizing system as #1. It has all of the qualities that you want in one. 

That includes a generous water flow, easy setup, durable construction, and best of all it simply works well when it comes to increasing your well-supplied water’s pH.

It features an auto-backwashing setting that can be controlled through the use of its Bluetooth-enabled control head. This system can be used in small to medium-size homes and the manufacturer very nicely stands behind it.  

All of this adds up to why it’s my choice as the best acid neutralizer for well water.

Main Features & Benefits

Price: SpringWell is known for making some of the highest quality water treatment devices in the home marketplace. That’s why you will pay more for their products such as with this acidic water device. 

Suggested Water pH Level for Use: This system will do an excellent job for you of increasing your pH if it’s in the 6.0 to 6.5 range.

Media Used to Raise pH: There is a reason that many people go with calcite-based acid water neutralizing devices. It’s because they consistently offer good performance. This SpringWell product makes use of very impactful and reliable calcite media. 

Flow Rate: A neutralizer calcite ph filter may cut down on a home’s water pressure but that’s not the case at all with this one. It has a very generous 12 GPM flow rate. That’s good enough to let two or more family members take a shower at the same time.

Ease of Installation and Maintenance: This unit is going to require professional installation unless you have some strong plumbing skills and can add an electrical hookup to it.  

If you are like most users of this system, you will like the Bluetooth-enabled controls that help simplify and automate its operation.

There really is very little maintenance that you have to do on this unit once it has been installed. 

Warranty/Guarantee: While it’s true that this is one of the most expensive pH neutralizers, some of that is offset by the guarantees that come with this model. That includes a very nice lifetime warranty and the ability to get your money back within 60-days of purchase.

Pros:

• Great for water in the pH 6 to 6.5 range
• Calcite-based pH neutralizer
• Innovative Bluetooth head
• Auto backwashing
• 12 GPM flow rate
• 2.5 cubic foot tank
• Lifetime warranty
• Satisfaction guarantee
• Free shipping

Cons:

• Not impactful for water pH levels < 6.0
• Requires periodic backwashing
• Higher price
• Too big for smaller sized homes

Check price

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#2 SoftPro pH Neutralizer Calcite Water Filter

This is an acid neutralizer calcite ph system that has some additional media in it that enables it to handle raising the pH of well water that’s as low as 5.5. 

That makes it perfect to use in notable low pH areas of the country such as the Northeast where acid rain is known to wreak havoc on well water.

It has a programmable valve on it, can be purchased in 3 different sizes, and has a very generous flow rate with all of its models. 

The manufacturer also backs this up acidic water treatment product with a satisfaction guarantee, a good warranty and they even throw in free shipping on the purchase.

Main Features & Benefits

Price:

This is not the fanciest acid neutralizer on our list of the best ones but it still performs well at a budget-friendly price. 

Suggested Water pH Level for Use:

The manufacturer states that this system can successfully neutralize acidic water that tests out between 5.5 to 6.5.

Media Used to Raise pH:

Most calcite-based acid neutralizers don’t work very well with pH levels less than 6. That’s why this manufacturer chose to use a Calcite/Corosex combination that makes it effective for pH levels as low as 5.5. 

Flow Rate:

The largest size SoftPro acid neutralizer (2.5 cu ft.) can provide pH lowering ability to even the largest size houses without impacting the water pressure. It features a peak flow rate of 15 GPM. 

Ease of Installation & Maintenance:

Chances are you will want to have this SoftPro pH Neutralizer professionally installed to make sure that it has been done right and will not leak.

It features a very functional and programmable control valve that can do such things as set the system to automatically backwash itself and it requires very little maintenance once in place and working. 

Warranty/Guarantee:

This system is backed up by a 6-month satisfaction guarantee and a 7-year warranty. Not bad at all for its lower price point.

Pros:

• Works with well water that tests between 5.5 to 6.5 for pH
• Super 15 GPM flow rate
• Calcite/Corosex media
• Programmable control valve
• Free shipping
• 3-different sizes available (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 cu ft.)
• Free shipping
• 6-month satisfaction guarantee
• 7-year warranty

Cons:

• Needs occasional backwashing
• Can be a little difficult to program at first
• Not recommended for use with pH levels < 5.5

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#3 Fleck 2510 SXT pH Neutralizer

This is another backwashing type acid neutralizer that has many nice features. Among these are a programmable control valve, the use of combination calcite and magnesium oxide media (Corosex), and a price that is lower than many similar types of pH neutralizers.

It comes in two different sizes and the biggest one can handle acidic water that tests out at a pH between 5.5 to 6.9 in even larger size homes. 

This model acid neutralizer also includes free shipping and is durable thanks to its non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced polymer construction.

Main Features & Benefits

Price:

This is the lowest priced acid neutralizing system on my list of the best ones but it still performed well enough to be ranked number 3 on my list. 

Suggested Water pH Range for Use:

This water pH level raising product will work well if your water’s pH tests between 5.5 to 6.9

Media Used to Raise pH:

This is another system that uses calcite plus Corosex media. That is what enables it to impact pH levels that are as low as 5.5. 

Flow Rate:

With a 13 GPM flow rate, I would not use it in your home if it has more than 4 bathrooms, but it will work fine in small to medium-sized homes. 

Ease of Installation and Maintenance:

I would recommend that you hire a plumber or handyman to install the Fleck 2510 SXT pH Neutralizer for you. 

This model is also fairly simple to operate because you can hand program in the backwash cycle and it requires little to no maintenance once it’s in place and working. 

Warranty/Guarantee: 

This system comes backed up by a lifetime warranty on the tank and a 5-year warranty on the control head. You will also like its 6-month satisfaction guarantee. 

Pros:

• Works with well water whose pH is between 5.5 to 6.5
• Calcite/Corosex-based system
• Automatic backwashing
• Programmable control head
• Non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced polymer construction
• Comes in 2 different sizes
• Lifetime warranty (tank)
• 6-month satisfaction guarantee
• Free shipping

Cons:

• Needs periodic backwashing
• Cannot handle extreme pH issues
• Not remote operable
• Only a 5-year warranty on the control valve

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#4 US Water Systems Matrixx pH Balancing Calcite System

This is an interesting backwashing style pH Neutralizer because it has some versatility to it. 

It can be used to raise pH levels of incoming well water that test out as low as a pH of 5.0. This is a lower pH level than most calcite/Corosex combination acid neutralizers can treat.  

It also features Bluetooth capability to use along with its provided app and a generous 20 GPM water flow on its larger of the two sizes that it’s available in. It has a durable exterior shell and all of its components have NSF and FDA approval.

Main Features & Benefits

Price:

This is the second highest-priced acid-neutralizing option on our list of the best ones. It does have many nice features that justify that extra cost. 

Suggested Water pH Range for Use:

This acidic water device can handle raising pH levels that are between 5.0 to 6.9

Media Used to Raise pH:

This acid neutralizer can be used with just calcite media or a combination of Calcite/Corosex.    It uses only calcite media to raise pH levels that are between 6.0 to 6.5 and a combination of Calcite/Corosex to raise your well water’s pH if it’s between 5.0 to 5.9.

Flow Rate:

It features a very generous 20 GPM flow rate. That enables it to effectively raise the pH in even larger size homes. 

Ease of Installation and Maintenance:

As with all of the acid neutralizers that I have reviewed here, I suggest you get it professionally installed if you do not have a solid plumbing and electrical background. 

The fact that it can be programmed remotely by using a proprietary smart app makes it very simple to operate and little maintenance is required once it is up and running.

Warranty/Guarantee: 

The manufacturer has attached a lifetime tank warranty to this product and it includes a 10-year warranty on the control valve and electronics. 

Pros:

• Can be used when well water tests between 5.0 to 6.5 for pH
• Calcite-based acid neutralizer
• Corosex media can be added to treat bad levels (5.0 to 5.9)
• App-controlled through Bluetooth connection
• Generous 20 GPM flow rate and large acid neutralizer tank
• NSF and FDA approved components
• Lifetime tank warranty/10-years on the control valve and electronics
• Free shipping

Cons:

• Very pricey
• Needs backwashing every so often
• Can’t handle extremely bad issues

Check price

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Acid Neutralizer Buyers Guide

Here are some facts about acidic water and acid neutralizers that will help you make an informed choice when you go to purchase one.      

What is Acidic Well Water?

There are three types of water and a sample of water’s type is determined by what is known as its pH value. 

So, what is pH? 

It’s the measure of hydrogen ion activity in a sample of water. As you can see below a pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.

Water that has a pH value of 7 is said to be perfectly balanced. A sample of water that tests out to be greater than 7 in its pH value is said to be alkaline water. On the other end of the pH scale is water that has a pH value that’s less than 7. That type of water is said to be acidic.

If your drinking water test says that you have a pH of less than 7, this means that you have acidic well water. So you will have to adjust it to the alkaline water side. 

Learn more about this in our pH of water guide and our guide on how to raise pH in well water.

What Causes Acidic Water?

The biggest culprit when it comes to water being acidic is acid rain. Some natural factors cause rainwater to be acidic but unfortunately, pollution is mostly to blame. 

Rainfall that comes to the ground with a pH of 5.5 or less is considered to be acid rain.

Trees, roots, and soil microbes can produce acids when they emit carbon dioxide, and water from runoffs near mines is also found to have lower pH levels most of the time.  

Problems with Acidic water

Why should you take corrective action if your well water is found to have a low pH level? 

That’s because acidic-leaning water can cause more problems than you might expect. Some of these include:

• There are potential health issues associated with drinking acidic water. This happens when acidic water causes heavy metals from copper, cast iron, and galvanized steel plumbing pipes to leach into your household water. 

This significantly increases your water supply’s ‘metal toxicity’ level.

Drinking acidic water is also thought to hinder your body’s ability to retain important calcium, may cause gastrointestinal issues, and can impact children to a greater extent because of their growing body’s high contaminant absorption rate.

• Corrosive acidity can cause the formation of blue or green stains on copper supply lines and around sinks & fixtures.
• This condition can lead to red- or rust-colored stains appearing on galvanized steel and cast-iron plumbing.
• Acidic-leaning water is thought to contribute to plumbing leaks and accelerate the corrosion of toilet tank plumbing parts.  
• Low water supply pH can leave a sour taste in your mouth after drinking it.
• Glasses, dishes, and other surfaces may feel slippery even after rinsing if your tap water is to the acidic side.
• Unexplained stains on clothes after doing laundry are sometimes attributed to low tap water pH levels.            

Types of Acidic Water pH Neutralizers

There are 3 types of media that acid-neutralizing devices can take advantage of raise the pH of your incoming water supply. These include:

1. Calcite (Calcium carbonate) – be sure not to mistake with sodium carbonate) – this is the most common type of media that’s used in acid neutralizers. These are best used when well water pH is between 6.0 to 6.5

Calcium carbonate is used in most acid neutralizers that work by means other than injection.

2. Magnesium oxide (also known as Corosex) – pH neutralizers that use this type of media often use it in combination with calcite. They are a good choice if your well water’s pH tests out to be between 5.5 to 6.5
3. Soda Ash and Caustic Soda – This is the acid-neutralizing media of choice for extremely low pH (4.0 to 5.5) situations

Matching the type of media used in your new acidic water neutralizer to your well water’s current pH level is critical when it comes to these systems making a significant impact on your tap water’s acid level.

How pH Neutralizers Work for Well Water

Here are the two methods that a neutralizer for well water uses to raise pH:

1. Direct Media Contact pH Neutralizers

In this type of acid neutralizer setup, water simply runs into a storage tank filled with either calcium carbonate or Corosex, and when that water contacts this media it increases its pH.

They also have a return side that enables the now less acidic well water to reenter your home’s water supply line.

There are two styles of pH neutralizers that take advantage of this method to increase your well-supplied water’s pH; they are:

• Backwash acid neutralizers

These work great for well water that tests out to have a pH between 5.5 to 6.9 and there is a fair amount of iron and sediment present in that water. 

The drawback to these is since they require periodic backwashing, they need a little more routine maintenance done to them.

• Upflow (Non-backwash) acid neutralizers

Upflow acid neutralizers work great for well water that tests out to have a pH between 5.5 to 6.9 but is fairly clear (no iron and sediment present). 

They are appealing because they require very little maintenance. They use uniquely designed vortex plates to create consistent flow through them.

2. Soda Ash/Chemical Feed System Acid Neutralizers

These work a little differently than direct media contact pH neutralizers because incoming well water does not flow directly through them.

Instead, they use an injection port tapped into the incoming water line to add their pH-increasing chemical solution in their storage tanks.

This is the recommended type of acidic water neutralizing device that you want to install if your well water tests out to have a pH of 5.5 or less.

Well Water Neutralizer Maintenance

Devices that are made to neutralize acidic-leaning well water do not require very much maintenance. The acid-neutralizing systems that require the most maintenance are those that need periodic backwashing. This generally takes place around once a week.

Even this function is done automatically by the system itself in most instances. Other than backwashing, pH neutralizer maintenance will most likely only consist of changing out its media around once per year.

FAQs

Here are some questions about acid neutralizers that I get very often:

Does an Acid Neutralizer Make Water Hard?

The answer to this question is yes (with an asterisk) for pH neutralizers that use calcite or calcite combination media. This is because these use calcium carbonate to help balance tap water pH and calcium is a substance that will cause tap water to become harder.

It comes down to the question of will a calcite pH filter cause water to become so hard that a water softener also needs to be installed?

Well water that is sourced from a nearby reservoir or other surface body of water is typically not very hard so this will probably not be the case.

You may need a calcium carbonate neutralizer working in conjunction with a water softener if your well water source is fed strictly by groundwater. In this case, you would probably need a water softener regardless of whether you have a pH neutralizer installed or not.               

Does an Acid Neutralizer Remove Iron?

Yes, an acid neutralizer removes some iron. Some iron will get trapped in an acidic water neutralizer and then get washed out during its backwash cycle.

It’s hard to say exactly how effective they are at removing iron and that’s why severe iron in well water issues should be remedied with a true iron filter.

Many times, acid neutralizers will not even remove enough iron to do such things as preventing white laundry items from becoming stained.                 

How Often Do You Need to Backwash an Acid Neutralizer?

Here is a question that actually has more than 1 answer. The reason for this is because some types of acid neutralizers do not need backwashing to keep them working efficiently.

Those calcium carbonate neutralizers that do require backwashing are often set to do this task automatically around once a week. That is a reasonable timeframe for acid neutralizers that need to be manually backwashed too.

Also, worth noting is the PSI on your acid neutralizers attached water pressure gauge after it has been backwashed. That PSI reading should be close to your pH neutralizer’s ideal working range.

When the PSI on your acid neutralizer’s gauge drops 5 PSI or more from this ideal operating range, then it’s also time to backwash your low tap water pH correction device.    

Keep in mind that you do not want to backwash an acid neutralizer unless it’s necessary because this process causes significant amounts of wastewater.              

How Long Do Acid Neutralizers Last?

It would not be uncommon to have a pH neutralizer that works well and lasts for 10 or more years. That’s because they are usually made using sturdy Polycarbonate plastics that are tough to dent and crack and do not easily wear out either.

The main consideration here is that the media that’s used in acid neutralizers will have to be replaced several times over its useful life as was previously mentioned.     

Conclusion

Although the initial cost to install an acid neutralizer on the incoming water line from your well can be high, if you are like most people you will find doing this to be well worth the price.

That’s because acidic-leaning well water can cause damage to your plumbing pipes, impact the taste of the beverages you drink, and cause adverse health problems.

The best acid neutralizer for well water will last a long time, need very little maintenance, and can be programmed to simplify its operation.

So, if you can fit one of these into your budget (some manufacturers on our list offer installment plans), you will come to find they are very much worth the money you spend to correct the low pH level of your well water.