Houses on a private water system typically get their water from their own well. Oftentimes, a pump withdraws water from the ground into a tank inside the home. Water is stored in this tank under pressure. Some private water systems also include water treatment systems.

Treatment Systems
Water treatment systems can be installed at home to improve the physical or chemical properties of water or to treat contaminated groundwater. In-home water treatment units are typically effective at removing sediment and excessive iron from water and are also good at softening water. Some home treatment units are also good at treating contaminated water. However, these systems should generally be regarded as a temporary solution to a more serious underlying problem. Treatment systems can be expensive and require a great deal of maintenance. No single system can be used to treat all kinds of contaminants. Testing water regularly may help a homeowner decide if an in-home treatment unit would be beneficial.