Start with your water
On city water, read your provider's annual water quality report first. It lists what the utility tests for and what it found, which tells you what a filter needs to handle.
The City of Myrtle Beach reports an average hardness of 54 mg/L for its tap water, which counts as soft. At that level a softener adds little, so city customers can focus on filtration.
On a private well, get the water tested before you choose equipment. Well water can carry iron, sulfur or bacteria that call for different treatment.
System types
- Under-sink filter
- A cartridge filter on the cold line at the kitchen sink, feeding the main faucet or a separate drinking faucet.
- Reverse osmosis
- Pushes water through a fine membrane to remove more dissolved substances than a basic filter. It adds a small storage tank and a dedicated faucet, and it sends some water to the drain.
- Whole-house filter
- Installed where the main line enters the home, so showers, laundry and faucets all get filtered water.
Common questions
Do I need a water softener in Myrtle Beach?
Homes on Myrtle Beach city water have soft water, averaging 54 mg/L of hardness according to the city. A softener adds little at that level. Homes on private wells should test first.
Filter or reverse osmosis?
A standard carbon filter reduces chlorine taste and odor. Reverse osmosis pushes water through a membrane and removes a wider range of dissolved substances, and it serves a dedicated drinking-water faucet at the sink.
How often do filters need changing?
It depends on the system and how much water you use. Follow the manufacturer's schedule, and ask the plumber to show you how to swap the cartridges.
