Case study
Utah well water with a Symphony 2 and Ultrafilter
A family of four and their two dogs rely on a private well for their three-bathroom home in Utah. The water came out of the tap black and foul-smelling.
Comparison of raw and treated water from this home.
>1,000,000 CFU
Bacteria counts in the untreated well water
4.3 mg/L to not detected
Iron, before and after treatment
>99%
Bacteria reduction confirmed by laboratory testing
The problem
Testing revealed high levels of iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide, along with bacterial contamination, including iron-related bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, HPC bacteria and HAB bacteria. Counts exceeded 1,000,000 CFU in the untreated water, which affected how the water looked, smelled and tasted.
The family’s goals
Their top priorities were clear:
Drinking water with greatly reduced bacteria for their children and pets
Protecting appliances and plumbing from iron and scale damage
Eliminating the bad odors and tastes that made the water unpleasant
A Made in the USA system, with NSF certification, professional installation and strong local support
The solution
After evaluating numerous alternatives, the family chose a licensed local plumbing contractor for expert system selection and installation. Pretreatment equipment was installed first to address iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, hardness and sulfates. As the final stage, a Symphony 2 with Ultrafilter was installed in the home’s mechanical space to reduce bacteria in the water.
Stage 1
Sediment filter with Active Armour™
Helps protect against scale and corrosion. Capacity: 150,000 gallons.
Stage 2
Self-cleaning inge® ultrafiltration membrane
Laboratory testing in this home showed greater than 99% bacterial reduction. Lasts up to 1,000,000 gallons.
Stage 3
Dual carbon block cartridges
Polish the water to control color, odor and organics. Combined capacity: 530,000 gallons. Certified to NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine taste and odor reduction.
Water test results
Laboratory results for the raw well water and the treated water in this home.
Contaminant
Raw water
Treated water
Iron (mg/L)
4.3
Not detected
Manganese (mg/L)
0.11
Not detected
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (CFU)
>1,000,000
50
Iron-related bacteria (CFU)
>1,000,000
10
Heterotrophic aerobic bacteria (CFU)
>1,000,000
Not detected
Heterotrophic plate count bacteria, HPC (CFU)
>1,000,000
5
Hardness (mg/L)
308
11.5
Sulfate (mg/L)
290
20
CFU: colony-forming units. Results are from this home and depend on source water.
Results and outcomes
The difference was immediate and measurable:
Laboratory testing confirmed greater than 99% reduction in bacteria
The water became clear, odor-free and great tasting
Active Armour reduced scale and corrosion risk for plumbing and appliances
Simple maintenance and lower operating costs compared to alternatives
The family now has peace of mind about the water their children and pets use every day.
Unexpected benefits
Beyond the science, the impact on daily life was profound. The homeowner shared:
“We can finally have a relaxing bathing experience in water that feels good, smells good…”
They also reported better overall water aesthetics, improved bathing comfort and fewer complaints from the kids. The family was so impressed that they continue to refer neighbors facing similar challenges.
Why the Symphony 2 with Ultrafilter
For this family, the Symphony 2 with Ultrafilter was more than just a filter. It brought trust and comfort to every drop. With American-made quality, certified performance and advanced ultrafiltration technology, Symphony delivers a reliable long-term solution to complex water problems.
Download the full case study (PDF)
Results depend on source water. Have your water tested before choosing a system.
Interested in the Symphony 2 with Ultrafilter?