Well & Septic HQThe library
Guides
Every guide answers one question a homeowner actually asked, from named primary sources, with the dollar figures dated and the DIY boundary drawn explicitly.
Sourced guide · water quality
Softener vs Iron Filter vs RO: What Each One Actually Removes
A softener, iron filter and RO remove almost nothing in common. NGWA's own removal matrix sorts which class answers your contaminant, before any brand.
DIY-safe
Sourced guide · water quality
UV Disinfection vs Reverse Osmosis for a Private Well
UV kills bacteria and other pathogens. RO removes arsenic, nitrate and other dissolved solids. NGWA's own guidance says neither one does the other's job.
DIY-safe
Sourced guide · septic
Septic Tank Do's and Don'ts: What's Actually Safe to Flush and Pour
Plain toilet paper that breaks up in water is fine. "Flushable" wipes are not, no label guarantees it, and no test standard backs the phrase "septic-safe."
DIY-safe
Sourced guide · septic
Septic Tank Additives: Do They Actually Work?
Additive makers claim their products break down sludge and delay pumping. EPA and university research say most do nothing, and some damage the drainfield.
DIY-safe
Sourced guide · septic
Is your drainfield failing, or has it already failed?
A soggy patch over the field and sewage backing up indoors are not the same problem. How to tell failing from failed, and what repair and replacement each cost.
Professional only
Sourced guide · wells
Well Water Test Kits: What Each One Actually Tells You
A well water test kit can mean three products, and only one gives a certified result. What a strip, a colorimeter, and a mail-in kit each actually measure.
DIY-safe
The library is being built out against a researched topic queue rather than published all at once. Each guide ships when its claims are sourced and its figures are dated, which is slower and is the point. How we verify.