In our testing, the SpringWell UV water purification system eliminated all bacteria in our contaminated well. As a POE system, it’s expensive and fairly challenging to install, but the silver lining is that it requires very little maintenance and is super affordable to own in the long run.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
| Price | $1,650.00 |
| Contaminants Reduced | Bacteria, Viruses, Cryptosporidium, Giardia |
| Certifications | NSF 55 Class A |
| Process | UV |
| Lamp Lifespan | 1 year |
| Annual Cost | ~$285.09 |
| Warranty | 1, 3 & 10 years (depending on component) |
Very few water filters offer definite protection against microorganisms in well water. If you’re looking for a solution that’s guaranteed to eliminate pathogens in water, you’ve probably considered the SpringWell UV System.
We installed and tested this ultraviolet purification system with a private well in a rural community, Milner, Colorado, to learn:
- How it affected our water quality based on our own lab testing
- How it performed across our other data-driven testing categories, including design quality, filtration speed, and setup & maintenance.
Table of Contents
📊 Scoring Data
We used our conventional water filter scoring criteria to evaluate the SpringWell UV system’s performance across 7 different categories, including contaminant reduction, filtration rate, design quality, installation, maintenance, and company policies. We took the results of our tests and compared the unit to every other filtration system we’ve tested to date.
Check out the full performance table below to see how this system ranks:
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.45 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 10.00 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | NSF 55 Class A |
| Filtration Rate | 15 GPM |
| Component Quality | Exceptional |
| Component Certification | Not Certified |
| Setup | Weak |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.002/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free on orders over $29 in continental USA |
| Returns | 6 months |
🚰 Contaminant Reduction
Score: 9.60Our contaminant reduction score is influenced by data from two sub-categories:
- Our own water quality lab testing (we use SimpleLab Tap Score)
- Official testing data from the NSF, IAPMO, or the WQA, if the system has performance certifications.
Our Performance Testing
Our performance testing process was more complicated and multifaceted than for most other water filters we tested. This was mainly because we were testing a well that was contaminated with bacteria, meaning that we had to take other measures before we could even install the SpringWell UV system.
That means, before we jump into our test results, there are a few specific things you should know about how we installed and readied the system for testing. Understanding our process will be helpful if you’re looking to install a UV system on a contaminated well.
We installed the SpringWell UV system at the main water line into the property, downstream of two sediment filters: a 100-micron spin-down sand separator, followed by a 5-micron spun filter (more on their importance later).
Before putting the system into operation, we shocked the well to disinfect it. This is standard practice to address microbial contamination before installing a UV system, and is the fastest way to ensure water is safe. The UV system was then installed for added protection against the recurrence of bacterial contamination in the well.
We also used an empty filter cartridge installed last, after the treatment system, to disinfect the home’s plumbing system.
Why did we do this?
Primarily, it was to address the possible bacterial contamination in the plumbing and appliances, since untreated well water was being used. We did this alongside shocking the well to ensure proper disinfection in the plumbing itself, even though the shocked well water will also have residual disinfectant, as it helps ensure the right dosage for the pipes in the home.
The strategy is to fill the empty cartridge with the correct amount of bleach, close it up, then run faucets in the home to mix the water and disinfect the plumbing. The assumption is that the UV was then disinfecting the water as it came into the home
We used test strips to determine the water coming from the faucets had sufficient levels of sodium hypochlorite for disinfection, and then ran it through the entire home by opening all the faucets and spigots one by one until we could smell the chemicals.
Once we were confident that our water was adequately disinfected by shocking the well, we then put the UV disinfection system into service.
Health-Related Contaminants
Score: 10.00
Since the SpringWell UV System is designed to address microorganisms only, we awarded its health-related contaminants reduction score based on its ability to eliminate bacteria.
In our untreated water test, total coliform, a group of bacteria used as a water quality indicator, were detected.
After shocking the well, we conducted another test on the water treated by the SpringWell UV System. In this test, coliform bacteria were not detected (listed specifically as “Not Detected” on our report).
We then conducted follow-up testing 3.5 months later to confirm the UV system was working properly, and again, no bacteria were detected. Based on these results, we awarded SpringWell the highest score in this category.
Performance Certifications
Score: 6.00
We rank filters in this subcategory based on whether or not they have obtained an official performance certification from the NSF, WQA, or IAPMO. UV purifiers can be certified to NSF 55, for using UV light to inactivate or kill bacteria, viruses, and cysts in contaminated water.
We couldn’t information about certifications on SpringWell’s product page for the UV System. We were also unable to find the system under SpringWell’s name on NSF, WQA, or IAPMO catalogs listing certified products.
But as we did some deeper research, we learned that the SpringWell system is actually the Luminor BLACKCOMB 6.1 A, which has been private-labeled in SpringWell’s name. And when we searched for this product under the actual manufacturer’s name (Luminor), we discovered that the system does have an NSF 55 Class A certification for its ability to inactivate or kill bacteria, viruses and cysts in microbiologically unsafe water.
Just to clarify, the Luminor BLACKCOMB 6.1 A is exactly the same as the SpringWell UV System. The only difference is the name. Therefore, if one is certified, so is the other.
We think SpringWell may have avoided sharing this certification information on its own website because it doesn’t want to reveal to customers that it’s a private-labeled product.
🚦Filtration Rate
Score: 10.00UV systems work by exposing water to UV light as it travels through your plumbing. They intercept a water line, but the purification process is instant.
Water doesn’t need to be held in a tank while the UV light takes effect, and there are no filters within the UV system itself to slow down water flow.
For that reason, ultraviolet purification systems like the SpringWell UV system don’t affect flow rate or water pressure, and we noticed no difference in the flow of water in fixtures and appliances after installing the unit.
This SpringWell model is effective for flow rates up to 15 GPM, plenty for even large households.
📐 Design
Score: 8.40
We awarded the SpringWell UV System’s design score based on the quality and durability of its construction. Scores in this category are also influenced by whether or not the system has a design certification, such as for materials safety or lead-free design.
The SpringWell UV is available in just one model or size, but there are a few optional add-ons, including:
- A Flo Smart water monitor & shutoff (costs an extra $600), which monitors water pressure, detects leaks, and shuts off your water supply to prevent damage.
- A 5-micron sediment filter (costs an extra $83) to install upstream of the purifier, ensuring water can be treated effectively.
- A whole-house water system (costs just under $1,000), designed to address other common well water contaminants.
These add-ons are all worth considering depending on your water quality and what you want to address, but it’s not essential that you buy them from SpringWell.
Sediment filters are particularly important for UV systems, and SpringWell advises installing a pre-filter upstream of the system. Well water is more likely to contain sediment than city water, and a sediment pre-filter will remove particles that can block UV light and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
We recommend shopping around and reading reviews for everything you plan to buy.
Component Quality
Score: 10.00
We were pleased with the quality of the SpringWell UV system’s design. It has a stainless steel build, with a quartz sleeve that prevents water coming into contact with the UV lamp.
The unit feels sturdy and durable, exactly what we’d expect from a point-of-entry system. There are no flimsy or plastic parts that could become worn or damaged over time.
Certification
Score: 6.00
SpringWell hasn’t obtained a design certification for the UV Water Purification System, and nor has Luminor (the actual manufacturer of this system), so it received the lower score of 6.00 in this subcategory.
⚙️ Setup
Score: 7.00We anticipated that installing the SpringWell UV System would be challenging due to its point-of-entry installation.
POE systems are more difficult to install because they require cutting into the main waterline, a process that’s invasive, time-consuming, and easy to mess up.
To install this SpringWell model, we had to shut off the water supply and cut into the waterline at the intended install location. We experienced a few small issues during the install, including troubleshooting leaks.
Plus, we installed the system with a bypass, so we could disinfect the home’s plumbing before turning the system on, and that was an extra process in itself.
Not forgetting that we also installed two sediment filters: a 100-micron spin-down sand separator and a 5-micron spun filter, which took extra work and more pipe cutting.
The system needs an electrical connection, and while this wasn’t an issue for us, it may require more work if your install location isn’t close to an outlet.
There’s no denying that installing any POE system takes a lot of effort and expertise (this isn’t a DIY-friendly job, so you may need to pay for a professional install), and that’s why the SpringWell UV System received a fairly low score of 7.00 in this category.
🔧 Maintenance
Score: 9.75SpringWell’s maintenance score is based on two subcategory scores for its servicing requirements and ongoing costs.
Servicing Requirements
Score: 9.50
Off the back of a difficult install, the good news is that the SpringWell UV System has a servicing schedule that’s nice and easy to keep up with.
With there being no filters to replace (we’re not counting the sediment pre-filters, which are installed and maintained separately), we only had to focus on cleaning and replacing the lamp and sleeve when necessary.
SpringWell recommends cleaning the quartz sleeve and UV sensor at least once a year, depending on your water quality.
The sleeve needs to stay clean to allow the UV light to easily pass through and effectively purify the water. Keeping the UV sensor clean means it can continue to properly measure the intensity of UV light emitted by the lamp, ensuring water receives a safe dose for disinfection.
You should also replace the lamp roughly once a year, and a helpful feature of the SpringWell system is its LCD screen controller, which means you don’t have to make your own calendar reminders for this.
This electronic monitor provides diagnostics info and alerts for remaining lamp lifespan. It also tells you when the lamp isn’t working and water is unsafe for consumption.
Costs
Score: 10.00
This SpringWell model’s servicing costs are affordable thanks to its long 1-year lifespan and low replacement costs.
In this UV system, the lamps’ effective lifespan is based on time, not volume of water. That means, regardless of how much water you treat, the lamp will still need to be replaced once a year.
| Replacement Bulb | Replacement Sleeve | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $185.10 | $99.99 | $285.09 |
We estimated SpringWell’s servicing costs based on the combined replacement bulb and sleeve costs, totaling $285.09/ year.
To work out an extrapolating cost per gallon, we divided this figure by 110,000, the average number of gallons of water used by a US household per year, which brought us to $0.002 per gallon.
That makes the SpringWell UV System one of the most affordable water treatment systems we’ve tested.
🏢 Company
Score: 8.65Our last point of assessment was SpringWell as a company. We evaluated SpringWell’s warranty and returns policies, as well as its shipping offerings, to award an overall company score.
Warranty
Score: 10.00
SpingWell offers a 1-year warranty for the UV System. While that’s pretty decent, we wish the warranty was longer given that the unit is expensive (around $1000) upfront and is intended for POE installation.
There are a few stipulations: the warranty doesn’t cover defects or damage caused by improper handling, negligence, or misuse. Read the full warranty terms in the owners manual.
Shipping
Score: 9.00
SpringWell offers free shipping for all orders costing over $29 in continental USA, so your shipping fees are covered when you’re buying the system and replacement lamps/sleeves.
Products are shipped within 5 business days. You can still order SpringWell products if you live in Hawaii, Canada, or Alaska, but you’ll need to pay a shipping fee. View SpringWell’s shipping policy here.
Returns
Score: 6.50
You can use the SpringWell UV system for up to 6 months and return it for a refund within this time. But there are several terms and conditions to be aware of: you’ll need to pay the return shipping fee, tax isn’t refundable, and your refund will be minus a 25% restocking fee, so it’s not the “full refund” that SpringWell claims it to be.
On a more positive note, if you receive a faulty item, you can at least exchange it for free, and you’ll receive a pre-paid shipping label to send it back to the manufacturer.
💰 Value For Money
Now we’ve reviewed the SpringWell UV System across all performance categories, we can comment on its overall value for money.
It’s not the cheapest UV system you’ll find, but nor do you want to cheap out on a POE system that does such an important job. Given its reliable performance, easy maintenance, and durable design, we think this system offers great value. The fact that it’s performance-certified is also a huge bonus and super reassuring.
You can’t put a price on protecting your well water against microbial contamination, and this SpringWell model is a great choice if you want a long-term chemical-free purification solution.
Just keep in mind that the system only addresses microorganisms, so if you’re also dealing with other common well contaminants, you’ll need to buy separate filters to target these.