Softer water, cleaner fixtures, appliances that last. Let’s find the right solution for your home and budget.
If you’re on a private well, you know the challenges: hard water that destroys fixtures, iron staining everything orange, sediment clogging your faucets, and sometimes concerning contaminants you can’t even see. We’ve tested and treated hundreds of wells throughout Pocatello and surrounding areas. Each well is different, which is why we begin with water testing to identify what you’re dealing with, then recommend treatment that actually solves your specific problems.
Not sure where to start? Here’s what to consider:
Your Water Source
Your Specific Problems
Your Budget and Goals
We’ll walk you through all of this during our assessment, no pressure to buy the premium system, just honest guidance on what actually makes sense for your water and your budget.
If you’re on a well, we recommend water testing before choosing any treatment system.
What works for your neighbor’s well might not work for yours.
We’ll test for:
Then we’ll recommend treatment specifically for what’s in YOUR water, not a one-size-fits-all system that might not address your actual problems.
Let’s set up a time for us to come out, test your water (if needed), assess your system, and provide a detailed recommendation and quote.
We understand that water quality is of the utmost concern to many of our customers. When you trust Elkhorn Plumbing with the installation of your water filtration system, we will get you the clean water your family deserves. Below are some of the best water filtration systems we can install for you:
Southeast Idaho has some of the hardest water in the country. If you’re dealing with scale buildup on fixtures, appliances dying early, soap that won’t lather, and crusty white deposits everywhere, you need a softener.
Most homes in this area don’t have just one water problem, they have several. Hard water + iron + sediment is a common combination. We can integrate multiple treatment methods into one comprehensive system that addresses all your water issues.
These systems rely on a semi-permeable membrane to thoroughly remove a wide variety of contaminants, from heavy metals and solids to a laundry list of chemicals.
These are commonly used to safely remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals that should not be in our
drinking water.
Ultraviolet filters are particularly good at disarming microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa without the use of chemical treatment.
These are predominantly used to prevent the buildup of dirt, rust, silt, and minerals which can lead to damage for the plumbing infrastructure of your home or business.
Real stories from happy customers right here in Southeast Idaho.
Troy LanierTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Charles, the owner of Elkhorn Plumbing, personally took on my project — true to his website’s claim that he “loves a challenge.” My home is north of Soda Springs, ID, and runs on well water that tested far above EPA nitrate limits and had very high turbidity (sludgy water). I gave Charles three requirements: Whole-home nitrate removal Whole-home water softening Hot and cold purified drinking water in the kitchen The house already had a water softener system and sludge filters in the crawl space, but Charles recommended upgrading to a low-maintenance, self-flushing system that automatically clears sludge into the drain — a terrific idea since, at age 62, I’d rather avoid crawling under the house for filter maintenance. Due to space constraints he also suggested a combined Nitrate removal and water softener system. I was suspicious of the effectiveness of a combined system. But his system proved out, water is soft and Nitrates went from 15 parts per million (ppm) to .205 ppm.. For the purified drinking water, he installed a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. The first setup worked fine but had a slower flow rate than what I was expecting (about 1 gallon in 2.5 minutes). Once I mentioned this, Charles immediately researched a fix and installed an upgraded model with a much faster flow (1 gallon in just over a minute). He only charged me the small difference in hardware cost. Throughout the project, Charles made several two-hour round trips from Pocatello to Soda Springs — a true sign of commitment to his customers. Going forward, Elkhorn Plumbing will be my first call for any plumbing work. I might not always get the owner himself, but based on what I’ve read and experienced, his team is every bit as capable and professional. Tami FagerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A very professional and friendly, knowledgeable service technician. Pleasantly surprised. Liz RutgerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. These guys were able to come out in a timely manner to run a camera down the were line. they did an excellent job going over all of the details with me. I would recommend them and use them again. Roscoe SorensenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the company "plumbers" refer others to. They are who I call when my parents need help and I cant get there. Highly recommend! john johnsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE PROFESSIONALISM AND SERVICE I RECIEVED! Clifford RogersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Elkhorn was great to deal wit from initial call to job completion! We had to service techs out, both communicated very well and got the job done quickly. They even went the extra mile in finding rare parts thatmy tub needed! Tristan LanzTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They helped me with water treatment in Pocatello! Great company, honest values. Bryn MarleyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic to work with! Would highly recommend! Gloria ThomasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kade did excellent work and was very easy to get to know and to trust. He knew exactly what was needed to bring plumbing in a 75-year-old house up to code. I was impressed with his work and highly recommend Elkhorn Plumbing for the most complicated plumbing needs.
We solve a variety of water system problems with efficient, targeted solutions. Our expertise ensures your infrastructure remains strong, clean, and functional.
Whether you need repairs, maintenance, or a full replacement, we handle every sewer issues with precision and care to restore your peace of mind.
We install and repair high-quality water heaters and fixtures that keep your home running smoothly. Our team ensures reliable hot water and better energy efficiency.
We quickly identify and fix leaks to prevent water damage. Our skilled technicians provide lasting repairs that protect your home and plumbing systems.
If your water pressure drops or you’re dealing with frequent leaks, it may be time to replace your water line. We handle the process start to finish, restoring clean, steady water to your home.
From the Blog
Expert answers to common questions about household water quality and filtration systems.
Water treatment is the process of removing contaminants, minerals, and impurities from your home’s water supply. It’s important because it ensures cleaner, safer water for drinking, bathing, and cooking. This protects your health, your plumbing, and your appliances.
Start with water testing. We need to know what’s actually in your water before recommending treatment.
We’ll test for hardness, iron, manganese, sulfur, bacteria, pH, and other common contaminants in this area. Then we’ll recommend treatment specifically for YOUR water, not a generic system.
Most private wells in Southeast Idaho need at minimum:
– Water softener (for hardness)
– Sediment filter (pre-treatment)
– Often iron filtration (very common here)
Testing takes the guesswork out and ensures you’re treating the right problems.
Extremely hard – some of the hardest in the country.
City water in Pocatello typically measures 300-400+ PPM (parts per million) of hardness. Anything over 180 PPM is considered “very hard.”
Private wells in the area often measure even higher, and we’ve seen wells test at 500+ PPM.
For context: This level of hardness will destroy appliances, clog pipes, and create scale buildup throughout your home within a few years without treatment. A water softener isn’t optional here, it’s essential home maintenance.
Honest answer: It varies significantly based on what problems you’re solving.
Here’s what affects cost:
We’ll never quote you without testing your water first. Once we know what we’re dealing with, we’ll give you a detailed written quote with options at different price points so you can choose what makes sense for your situation.
Our $59 assessment fee covers our time to test, assess, and quote your specific needs.
The water treatment process can include several stages such as sediment filtration, carbon filtering, reverse osmosis, or UV sterilization. Together, these steps remove particles, chemicals, and microorganisms to deliver high-quality water throughout your home.
If you have hard water (and in this area, you almost certainly do), filtration alone won’t solve the problem. Filters remove contaminants, sediment, chlorine, etc. But they don’t remove hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium).
You need a softener for that. Most homes in Southeast Idaho need BOTH:
Think of them as solving different problems. We’ll test your water and show you exactly what you need.
The best drinking water filtration systems often include reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters. These remove up to 99% of impurities like lead, chlorine, and dissolved solids, improving both taste and safety.
Yes. Modern water filtration systems effectively remove contaminants, neutralize odors, and soften hard water minerals. With proper installation and maintenance, they deliver consistently clean and great-tasting water.
Regular maintenance is simple.
Monthly: Check salt level and refill when low (most use 1-2 bags per month)
Every 6-12 months:
Absolutely, that’s a great option if:
Under-sink reverse osmosis systems provide excellent drinking and cooking water for $500-$2,000 installed.
BUT: If you have hard water or iron, an under-sink filter won’t protect your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, or prevent scale buildup throughout your home. For that, you need whole-house treatment. We’ll help you prioritize based on your biggest concerns and budget
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove up to 99% of contaminantsm including heavy metals, dissolved solids, and chemicals. It’s one of the most thorough and reliable methods for producing pure drinking water.
Yes. UV filtration safely kills bacteria and viruses using light instead of chemicals. It’s often paired with carbon or reverse osmosis systems for complete protection and better-tasting water.
Most filters last 6–12 months, though it depends on the system and your household water usage. We’ll walk you through a maintenance plan to keep your system running at peak performance.
Yes! It tastes cleaner, fresher, and more natural. By removing chlorine, metals, and chemical residues, water filtration enhances flavor and smell, improving everything from your morning coffee to your nightly shower.
Book a visit with our experienced plumbers and get reliable service at a time that works for you.