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Using an Ella Walk-In Tub With Well Water and a Septic System

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Hot Water: Size the Heater for the Tub, Not the House
  2. Well Water and the Thermostatic Valve
  3. Septic Systems and the Drain
  4. What to Have Your Plumber Confirm Before Installation
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

Yes, an Ella walk-in tub works in a home with a private well and a septic system. The tub connects to your existing hot and cold supply lines and to your existing drain line the same way a conventional bathtub does, and nothing about it requires municipal water or sewer. The three things to plan for are enough hot water to fill the tub, water quality if your tub has a thermostatic faucet, and a drain connection your plumber has verified.

Hot Water: Size the Heater for the Tub, Not the House

Your home water heater fills the tub. The in-line heater on hydro massage tubs only maintains the temperature of the water once you are soaking, so it does not reduce the amount of hot water you need to fill up. Most Ella tubs do best with a 75-gallon or larger tank, and the largest models such as the Shak and Big4Two may need a dedicated additional heater. A tankless unit should deliver at least 11 gallons per minute. Well pump pressure, pipe size, the distance from the heater to the tub, and other fixtures running at the same time all affect the result. Start with the recommended heater size for your model, and if you are already seeing hot water run out before the tub is full, that article walks through the usual causes.

Well Water and the Thermostatic Valve

If your tub has an Ella thermostatic faucet package, it includes a thermostatic control valve that mixes hot and cold water to a set temperature. That valve carries a 1-year limited warranty, and cartridge fouling from calcium, iron or contaminated water is not covered. Well water is often hard or iron-rich, so an inline filter or mesh screen must be fitted on the supply and cleaned periodically. This is an important step for a well-water home, and the easiest time to do it is while your plumber is installing the tub.

The rest of the tub is not fussy about well water. Run the standard vinegar flush before first use and once a month afterward: combine 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, fill the tub to one inch above the highest jets, add the mixture, run the tub for 10 minutes, then drain. This keeps mineral deposits from building up in the jets and lines. Flushing after every bath is not necessary because the air and hydro systems are fully plumbed.

Septic Systems and the Drain

Ella tubs use a gravity dual drain with 2-inch outlets, and in ideal house-drain conditions an average tub empties in about 80 seconds. Your plumber connects two of the ports, or all four, to a 1 1/2 to 2 inch house drain. A septic system receives that water just as it would from any other bathtub. What matters is the volume your tank and drain field are rated for, so give your plumber the fill figure for your model from the water capacity guide. The occupied capacity is the practical number because it reflects the water actually in the tub with a bather in it. Because the drain is gravity fed rather than pumped, there is no drain pump that stops working in a power outage.

What to Have Your Plumber Confirm Before Installation

  1. Water heater capacity and recovery against the fill volume of your model, and whether a dedicated heater makes sense.
  2. Well pump pressure and flow at the tub location, since low flow lengthens fill time.
  3. An inline filter or mesh screen on the supply if the tub has a thermostatic valve, with a plan to clean it on a schedule.
  4. The house drain size and slope, and the septic system's rated capacity for the tub's volume.
  5. The electrical connection for jetted models, installed by a licensed electrician.

Ella does not perform installations or send technicians. A local licensed plumber and electrician handle the work, and the technical support team is available to answer their questions about the tub itself.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Hot Water Heater Capacity The video explains the recommended hot water heater capacity for an optimal walk-in tub bathing experience.
  2. 0:37 Finding Tub Water Capacity The video shows how to find the water capacity of Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs on the website.
  3. 1:04 Dedicated Hot Water Supply The video suggests considering a dedicated hot water supply system for your walk-in tub.
  4. 1:16 Supply Lines And Faucet Sets The video recommends 3/4 inch supply lines and mentions included supply lines with Ella's Fast Fill faucet sets.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Dual Drain Technology Overview The video introduces Ella's Bubbles dual 2-inch, four-port drain system and its connection to a house drain.
  2. 0:20 Live Drain Demonstration A live demonstration shows water flowing through the dual 2-inch, four-port drains.
  3. 0:39 Drain Setup Images Actual images display a drain setup before and after the installation of the dual drain system.
  4. 1:01 House Drain Connection Options The video explains recommended house drain connections and how installers determine the best setup.
  5. 1:27 Easy Turn Drain Handles The easy turn drain handles are shown, which also function as dual air vents to maximize water outflow.
  6. 1:40 Single Drain and Gravity Driven System Some tubs feature an oversized single drain with emergency pull chain, and the gravity-driven system is highlighted.

Common Questions

Can I use an Ella walk-in tub with well water?
Yes. The tub uses your home's normal supply lines. If your tub has a thermostatic faucet package, fit an inline filter or mesh screen on the supply and clean it periodically, because mineral fouling of the thermostatic cartridge is not covered under warranty. The monthly vinegar flush keeps the jets and lines clear.
Will my septic system handle a walk-in tub?
The tub drains by gravity into your existing drain line just like a conventional bathtub, so the septic system sees ordinary bath water. Your plumber should confirm that the tank and drain field are rated for the fill volume of your model, which you can find in the water capacity guide.
Does the in-line heater mean I can use a smaller water heater?
No. The in-line heater only maintains the temperature of water that is already in the tub while the hydro pump runs. Your home water heater still has to supply the full volume of hot water to fill the tub, so size it for the tub's capacity.
What size water heater do I need for a small one-person tub?
Ella's general guidance is a 75-gallon or larger tank for most models, with a tankless unit delivering at least 11 gallons per minute. Smaller tubs hold less water, so check the recommended heater size for your specific model. Well pressure, pipe size and simultaneous use also matter, so have your plumber assess your setup.
Does Ella send someone to install or inspect my plumbing?
No. Ella manufactures the tub and ships replacement parts under the warranty, but a local licensed plumber and electrician do the installation work. The technical support team can answer your installer's questions about the tub, and you can reach them at ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850.

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.

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