This isn't really an answer to your really wide open question, but a personal observation. When we decided that filtered water was fundamentally healthier (drinking chloramines!) and just plain tasted better, we had to decide what we could afford to do, not necessarily for initial equipment outlay but for recurring maintenance.

We decided to treat each item separately with its own filter in series. Filtering the wash and hose water was a waste of precautionary health dollars so we decided on a culinary water line to go along with the municipal cold and hot lines. Pex made this super easy. Ran this line to the kitchen sink, freezer ice and water, and to the pot sink.

Also, filters in series, especially carbon blocks really drop the pressure. So we used readily available canisters with high flow rates and ran two runs in parallel of three filters in series, if you get that layout.

That gives three results. One, total contact time (of water in the carbon) doubles. Two, back pressure is halved. Three, one run can be cut out of the incoming flow for maintenance, repair, ordering broken parts, etc. without shutting off the water source entirely.

Don't use cheap carbon; they are unfortunately a rip.

cooleyedbabe1940,

You should understand that carbon filters do not remove iron, calcium and magnesium.

Although you didn't mention it in the body of your post, you do mention Life Source filters in your heading.

LIfe Source is a whole house carbon filter - with a very big marketing budget. In addition, they have a ScaleSolver or some such that claims to prevent scale from forming - it also does not remove iron, calcium and magnesium.

You need to look at a water softener.

There are several people here who can help you with that - but first thing they will ask you is to post the results of an independent water analysis.

A simple filter may be able to remove the iron in your water IF it is ferric (particulate) iron. If it is clear-water iron (dissolved) then you will need a much more involved treatment method. As to the hardness (calcium and magnesium) a standard softener will take care of those.

If you have city water, you have a right to the quarterly and annual reports. Most treatment facilities post them online now. If you can find yours and post it, I'll take a look and provide a list of potential treatment options.