Ultrafiltration Systems for Southeastern Pennsylvania Homes
Ultrafiltration (UF) is a membrane-based drinking water system that removes bacteria, viruses, cysts, and sediment — while keeping the natural calcium and magnesium in your water. It delivers clean, safe water at full flow pressure without a storage tank, without wasting water, and without stripping out the minerals your water naturally contains.
At Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment, we install and service ultrafiltration systems across Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Berks, and Lehigh counties. As with all of our drinking water systems, we start with a water test — because UF is the right answer for some homes and not others, and the test tells us which situation you’re in.
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What Ultrafiltration Removes — and What It Doesn’t
Understanding what UF does and doesn’t do is how you make the right decision for your home. Honest answers here matter more than a sales pitch.
Bacteria (E. coli, coliform, legionella) — Viruses — Cysts (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) — Sediment and turbidity — Suspended particles and colloids — Some larger organic molecules
PFAS / forever chemicals — Lead and heavy metals — Arsenic and nitrates — Chlorine and chloramines — Dissolved salts and minerals — Volatile organic compounds
How an Ultrafiltration System Works
A UF system uses a hollow-fiber membrane with pores small enough to trap bacteria, viruses, and sediment while allowing water molecules and dissolved minerals to pass through freely. Here’s what makes it different from other approaches:
Unlike reverse osmosis, UF delivers filtered water at full pressure directly from your tap. No waiting for a tank to refill, no pressure drop at the faucet.
RO systems send some water to drain during purification. UF doesn’t — nearly all the water that enters the system comes out as filtered water.
The UF membrane’s pores are sized to block particles and microorganisms but allow dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium to pass through. Your water retains its natural mineral balance.
UF is purely physical filtration. Nothing is added to your water during the process — just contaminants removed.
The membrane itself is the core of the system. Water passes through hollow fiber tubes under pressure, with contaminants collecting on the outer surface and clean water flowing through the inner channel to your tap. Periodic backflushing clears accumulated material from the membrane surface, extending its life.
Who Ultrafiltration Is Right For
UF is a strong fit for a specific type of household situation. Here’s how we think about it:
- Your water test shows bacterial or microbial concerns
- You’re on a private well in Berks, Chester, or Lehigh county with no chemical contamination
- You want purified water but prefer to keep the natural mineral content
- You want higher flow rate with no storage tank
- You’ve confirmed through testing that PFAS, lead, and nitrates are not present
- Your water test shows PFAS, lead, arsenic, or nitrates
- You’re on public water in Bucks or Montgomery county with documented PFAS issues
- You want the deepest possible contaminant removal
- Mineral content in your drinking water is not a priority
- Your well water has elevated bacterial risk
- You want the most comprehensive microbial protection without RO
- UV adds a second layer of disinfection after the UF membrane
Not sure which category you’re in? That’s exactly what a water test resolves. Schedule yours here — or read our detailed comparison: Ultrafiltration vs. Reverse Osmosis: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Our Ultrafiltration Installation Process
We don’t install systems first and ask questions later. Every job starts with understanding what’s in your water.
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UF System Maintenance — Less Than You Might Expect
One of the advantages of ultrafiltration over reverse osmosis is simpler, less frequent maintenance. Here’s what the typical schedule looks like:
| Component | Service Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UF membrane | Every 1 to 2 years | Periodic backflushing extends membrane life — your water quality affects timing |
| Pre-sediment filter (if installed) | Every 3 to 6 months | Especially important for well water with high sediment |
| System performance check | Annually | We check flow rate, pressure, and membrane integrity during our annual visit |
| UV lamp (if UV is added) | Annually | UV output degrades over time even if the lamp still appears to be on |
We provide a full maintenance plan with every installation and can handle all service during an annual visit. If your current UF system hasn’t been serviced in a while, contact us and we’ll get it back in shape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrafiltration in Southeastern Pennsylvania
What is the difference between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis?
The main differences are what each system removes and how it operates. RO uses a very fine membrane that removes dissolved chemicals — PFAS, lead, arsenic, nitrates — along with bacteria and viruses, but also strips out beneficial minerals. UF uses a larger pore membrane that removes bacteria, viruses, and sediment but allows dissolved minerals and most dissolved chemicals to pass through. UF also delivers water at full pressure with no storage tank and wastes no water. If your water has chemical contamination, RO is the right call. If your concern is microbial safety and you want to keep your minerals, UF is often the better fit. A water test makes this clear. Read our full comparison here.
Does ultrafiltration remove bacteria from well water?
Yes. UF membranes remove bacteria, including E. coli and coliform, as well as viruses and cysts like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. This makes UF a strong option for private well owners in Berks, Chester, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties who have tested positive for bacterial contamination or who simply want an added layer of microbial protection. For high-risk wells, we sometimes recommend pairing UF with an upstream UV system for a second line of defense.
Does ultrafiltration remove PFAS from drinking water?
No. Ultrafiltration membranes are not fine enough to block PFAS molecules, which are dissolved in water. If your water test shows PFAS contamination — which is a concern in parts of Bucks and Montgomery counties — you need a reverse osmosis system. We want to be direct about this because it matters for your family’s health. Learn more about our RO systems.
Is ultrafiltration suitable for well water in southeastern Pennsylvania?
Yes, with some important caveats. UF works well for well water when the primary concern is microbial safety, and when dissolved chemical contaminants like arsenic, nitrates, or PFAS are not present. Many private wells in Berks, Chester, and Lehigh counties have bacterial or sediment issues that UF handles effectively. However, if your well also has iron, manganese, or high sediment levels, we’ll recommend a pre-filter upstream of the UF membrane to prevent premature clogging. A water test tells us exactly what’s needed.
How long does an ultrafiltration membrane last?
Typically 1 to 2 years, though this varies based on your water quality and usage. Well water with high sediment or bacterial load will reduce membrane life more quickly than clean municipal water. Regular backflushing — which many systems do automatically — helps extend membrane life by clearing accumulated material from the surface. We include a maintenance plan with every installation.
Can I use ultrafiltration with my existing water softener?
Yes, and the combination works well. A water softener addresses hardness — removing calcium and magnesium from your whole-house supply to protect appliances and plumbing. An under-sink UF system then handles the point-of-use drinking water, removing bacteria and sediment at the tap. Since UF retains minerals, softened water going through a UF system will have already had hardness removed — which is generally a non-issue for drinking water. Many customers in Berks and Montgomery counties run both systems together effectively.
How does ultrafiltration affect water pressure and flow?
Unlike reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration does not require a storage tank or a significant pressure drop. Water flows through the UF membrane under your existing line pressure and comes out at full flow rate at the tap. You won’t notice a difference in pressure from your kitchen faucet. This is one of the practical advantages of UF over RO for homeowners who want high flow and don’t want to wait for a tank to refill.
Schedule Your Free Water Test in Southeastern Pennsylvania
A water test takes the guesswork out of choosing the right system. Our experienced service technicians will test your water, explain exactly what they find, and give you a straight answer about whether ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, or another approach is the right fit for your home. We serve Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Berks, and Lehigh counties.
Related Reading
- Ultrafiltration vs. Reverse Osmosis: Which Is Right for Your Home?
- What Happens During a Free Water Test?
- Is Your Well Water Making You Sick?
- Water Filtration, Treatment, and Purification: What’s the Difference?
- Understanding Ultraviolet Treatment: A Homeowner’s Guide
- Your Annual Well Water Checkup: What You Need to Know
- Learn about our Reverse Osmosis systems
- Learn about our Ultrapure Alkaline systems
We do it ALL!
Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment is all about water. We specialize in wholesale water testing and water treatment systems for residential purposes. We also offer a full range of plumbing services. From the basic residential plumbing services such as fixing leaks to installing septic systems, we can take care of you every step of the way.
