- HEP Plumbing
- Point-of-entry Filtration

Point-of-entry Filtration
Point-of-entry Filtration | Water Purification | Plumbing | Sewanee
Imagine turning on any tap in your Sewanee home and knowing that every drop has already been polished by HEP’s point-of-entry filtration system. Installed where the main line meets your plumbing, our whole-home solution strips away sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, and even the faint odors that can sneak in from mountain well or municipal sources. The result is crisp, clean water that safeguards pipes and appliances while elevating the taste of your coffee, soups, and ice cubes.
Backed by local technicians who understand the region’s unique geology, HEP custom-sizes each unit for flow rate, pressure, and contaminant profile, then provides scheduled maintenance so performance never slips. With continual water purification at the source, you enjoy spa-quality showers, spot-free dishes, and the peace of mind that your family—and every fixture—stays protected around the clock.
FAQs
What is a point-of-entry (POE) filtration system and how is it different from point-of-use (POU) filters?
A point-of-entry system is installed on the main water line where it enters your home, so every fixture—kitchen taps, bathrooms, laundry, and outdoor spigots—receives treated water. Point-of-use units (like faucet or under-sink filters) treat water at a single location only. With a POE system you gain whole-house protection against sediment, chlorine, hardness minerals, and other contaminants common to Sewanee’s municipal and well sources, meaning cleaner water for bathing, cooking, and appliance longevity.
Why is whole-house water purification important in Sewanee, TN?
Sewanee sits on the Cumberland Plateau, where groundwater can pick up dissolved limestone (causing hardness), iron, and manganese, while surface water often shows seasonal spikes in organic material that utilities treat with chlorine or chloramines. A POE system tailored for our area removes these aesthetic and health-related contaminants before they enter your home, reducing scale build-up in pipes, preventing orange iron stains, eliminating chlorine taste and odor, and guarding sensitive skin from irritants.
What contaminants will your POE system remove or reduce?
Our customizable multi-stage platforms typically include: • 5-micron sediment pre-filters to trap sand, silt, and rust flakes • Catalytic or coconut-shell activated carbon for chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, and disinfection by-products (THMs) • NSF-certified ion-exchange or TAC media to address hardness (calcium and magnesium) • Optional KDF or manganese dioxide stages for iron, sulfur (rotten-egg odor), and heavy metals • UV or ultrafiltration add-ons for microbiological protection. The exact mix is selected after a free on-site water analysis so we target the specific chemistry of your Sewanee supply.
Will installing a whole-house filter reduce my water pressure?
When sized correctly there is little to no noticeable drop in pressure. We match the media tank diameter and valve flow-rate to your home’s peak demand (showers, dishwasher, and washing machine running at once). High-quality backwashing or cartridge systems maintain 10–15 gallons-per-minute, which is sufficient for most households. During installation we measure baseline pressure and, if needed, can include a pressure-boosting or storage solution to preserve optimal flow.
What kind of maintenance is required and how long do the filters last?
Sediment cartridges are usually changed every 6–12 months depending on turbidity. Carbon beds last 3–5 years before media replacement is needed, while scale-control or iron-reduction media generally perform for 5–7 years. Fully automatic control valves handle backwashing and regeneration without user input; you simply replenish salt in a softener brine tank if that option is chosen. We offer annual service plans that include water testing, filter changes, and system sanitization so you never have to worry about upkeep.
What does a POE system cost and what are the long-term savings?
Installed prices in Sewanee start around $1,600 for a basic sediment–carbon combo and range to $3,500–$4,500 for advanced multi-media or UV-equipped packages. While the upfront investment is higher than POU devices, homeowners typically save $150–$300 per year by extending appliance life, lowering energy bills (scale-free water heaters run more efficiently), and eliminating bottled water purchases. Added benefits—softer skin, spot-free dishes, less soap usage, and property value enhancement—deliver a payback period of roughly 3–5 years for most families.