Everything you need to know about addressing your water quality is right here at your fingertips.
Depending on where your water comes from (and some other factors), you could face any of the following water quality concerns: bacteria, viruses, chlorine, low pH (acidic water), high total dissolved solids (TDS), and hard minerals.
In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into just how serious each of these concerns is.
Different systems address different issues. Some remove hardness, while others filter out chlorine, bacteria, or other contaminants. Identifying your water’s unique challenges with a water quality test will help you choose the best investment for your home.
The cost to address your water quality varies; some industry-leading filters cost between $1,000 and $2,000. Any one water conditioning system shouldn’t cost over $4,000 to $5,000.
The quality of your water conditioning system’s installation will determine how well it performs. In this guide, we uncover proven tips that ensure you find a reliable plumbing contractor.
Microorganisms like E. coli and salmonella can cause illnesses if ingested. They often originate from sewage or agricultural runoff.
Cysts are another type of biological contaminant that contains parasites. They usually come from runoff, industrial discharge, or sewage.
Chlorine and chloramines (i.e, chlorine with ammonia) are chemicals used to sanitize water in public water treatment facilities. They often remain at high enough levels to pose health risks.
Aging pipes in public water distribution systems will corrode, causing water to become polluted with lead in some cases.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring, inorganic chemical that is highly toxic and can cause cancer and lesions if ingested over long periods.
Fluoride is often added to public water supplies as it has proven dental health benefits. However it can also pose serious dental health risks if consumed at high levels.
The minerals calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring and can cause persistent issues with plumbing appliances, staining of dishes and countertops, and dry skin and hair. Calcium and magnesium are common in both public and private water.
Nitrates and nitrites pose serious short-term health risks to young children as they interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Nitrates and nitrites originate in fertilizers, sewage, and runoff.
Pesticides and herbicides can percolate downward into deeper soil layers and pollute the groundwater that sources well water. They pose serios health risks to children.
Small particles of soil, sand, dirt, rust, and other solids can dissolve into drinking water. They’re both naturally occurring and caused by human activities like construction. Water with high TDS looks cloudy or murky and can signal the presence of other contaminants.
Water that measures below 7 on the pH scale is considered acidic and can lead to the corrosion of plumbing systems. This can cause costly infrastructure damage and potential leaching of lead or copper from pipes into drinking water.
Well Water vs. City Water: What’s the Difference?
Homes with well water tend to face a consistent set of challenges. Since the water comes straight from the ground near your home, no treatment regulations exist. It can carry natural contaminants like iron, manganese, sulfur, sediment, and even bacteria. The exact quality of well water depends on your local geology.
Homes on city water, on the other hand, face a different set of challenges – including chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, and more. While it’s been treated at a public facility to meet certain standards, there are frequent concerns about the chemicals in public water. Like well water homes, those with public water are often good candidates for certain water conditioning systems.
Testing your water is the only way to understand exactly which contaminants you’re facing. You’ll get a holistic picture of what is, and isn’t, in your water. Once you’ve gotten a profile of your water, you can identify how it’s impacting your household and how best to address it with water conditioning systems.
If you’re looking for the most thorough analysis and detailed prognosis for treatment systems best suited for you, consider submitting your water to a state-certified lab. These labs are an excellent resource that give you a full profile of your water quality, testing for all contaminants – biological, inorganic, chemical, heavy metals, nitrates, and sediment. You’ll be required to follow clear instructions as you send a water sample via mail to a lab and will receive results at a later date.
For a quick result that still offers a wide profile of your water quality, bringing a professional plumber out for an in-home test is a great option. Plumbers carry water testing kits that can show results in under 10 minutes. These kits test for the same contaminants as a state-certified lab.
In addition to water testing, a plumber can do an inspection of your plumbing system to get a head start on finding a personalized treatment system that’ll be right for you.
DIY testing kits are an inexpensive way to get a quick look at your water quality. These aren’t as thorough as a professional test, but are a handy resource to get a guage of your overall water quality.
If you’re not sure about your water quality, at-home testing kits can give an indication as to if further testing is necessary.
Digital hardness meters are an inexpensive tool that easily and conveniently measure the hardness of your water in grains per gallon (GPG). They are limited to only measuring water hardness and cannot test for any other contaminants.
Digital hardness meters can be purchased at home improvement stores and are a great way to track a water softener’s impact on your water supply.
Acidic water and limescale buildup will steadily take their toll on your home’s pipes, reducing water flow and hindering energy efficiency as time passes. If left unaddressed for long enough, poor water quality can take years off your plumbing system’s lifespan.
Water conditioning systems effectively protect your home’s pipes, saving you from inconveniences like poor water flow and rising energy bills. They’ll help you get the maximum out of your existing piping.
Your water quality directly impacts the performance of all your water-based appliances. That includes your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher.
Hard water, in particular, can take a serious toll on appliances, leaving behind sediment buildup as it’s repeatedly heated and cooled.
Your water heater (especially tankless models) will experience much faster efficiency losses and wear and tear if your water supply is overly rich in calcium.
Taking steps to improve your water quality will keep your household running efficiently and protect the parts of your home that use water the most.
By proactively addressing contaminants, the water you drink, cook, and shower with will be safer and healthier.
You’ll be safeguarded from the most serious water quality concerns like bacteria, viruses, cysts, chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals.The taste, smell, and appearance of your water will also be transformed.
You’ll also say goodbye to irritating showers with hard water. Softer water supports more relaxing showers and prevents dry skin and brittle hair. The overall improvement in your water quality results in enhanced day-to-day health and wellness.
Cleaner water means lower water and electric bills, period.
Without sediment buildup, your water-based appliances won’t have to work as hard to do their job. In other words, your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher will run more efficiently in terms of both their water and energy usage.
Investing in your water quality puts your household on track to lower utility bills with sustained energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Following suit with lower water and electric bills, water conditioning systems are an investment in environmental friendliness. By supporting the long-term energy efficiency of your household, improved water quality reduces your household’s carbon footprint.
Additionally, water conditioning systems support the drinkability of your home’s water, reducing your reliance on bottled water. This cuts down on plastic waste and energy used to produce it.
Keeping your water conditioning system in top shape ensures clean, safe water in the future and prolongs the life of your equipment. While some tasks can be handled on your own, the only way to make sure you’re getting the best performance and longest lifespan out of your systems is to have a professional inspection.
Here’s a breakdown of what a professional will do for each water conditioning system.
1. Test Your Water Regularly: Monitor water quality to catch changes early and adjust your system as needed.
2. Monitor Water Pressure: Watch for pressure drops, which can signal buildup or equipment issues.
3. Schedule Annual Professional Servicing: While some maintenance steps can be handled on your own, many require extensive plumbing knowledge to be done properly. Have a trusted technician inspect and service your system yearly to keep it running at its best.
1. Check Regeneration Cycle: Make sure the system is completing its regeneration process properly to keep the resin bed effective.
2. Recalibrate as Needed: If your water hardness changes, adjust the regeneration settings to maintain optimal performance.
3. Clean the Resin Bed: Flush the resin bed periodically to remove buildup and extend the system’s lifespan.
4. Inspect and Clean the Brine Tank: Look for salt bridges or sludge, and clean the tank regularly to ensure smooth operation.
1. Replace Sediment Cartridges: Change cartridges regularly to maintain strong filtration and water flow.
2. Clean the Housing: Remove and rinse the filter housing to prevent dirt buildup and contamination.
3. Check for Leaks and Seals: Inspect O-rings and seals to ensure a watertight fit and prevent leaks.
1. Replenish Neutralizing Media (Usually Limestone): Add new media as it dissolves over time to keep water properly balanced.
2. Backwash the System: Run periodic backwashes to flush out buildup and maintain system efficiency.
3. Check pH Levels: Test your water regularly to ensure the system is effectively neutralizing acidity.
1. Replace Pre- and Post-Filters: Change these filters on schedule to protect the membrane and ensure clean water.
2. Replace the RO Membrane: Swap out the membrane as needed to maintain filtration performance.
3. Sanitize the System: Disinfect the system periodically to prevent bacteria growth.
4. Check Storage Tank Pressure: Verify the tank’s pressure stays within manufacturer-recommended levels for proper flow.
1. Replace Filter Cartridge: Install a new cartridge as recommended to maintain peak filtration.
2. Flush the System: Run clean water through the system to clear out any residual buildup.
3. Inspect for Clogs or Leaks: Check fittings and lines regularly to ensure smooth, leak-free operation.
The installation quality of your water conditioning system will directly impact its performance, efficiency, and lifespan – so be critical when choosing your plumbing company.
Use online resources like Google reviews and other social forums to hear what past customers have to say about potential installers.
We recommend that you talk with at least two quality plumbing companies before making a decision. This will help you make a confident decision in both the installation price and quality.
Pay attention to the customer service provided to you at each step in the process – it’s often an indication of the professionalism and installation quality you’ll receive.
And ask about the level of support you’ll receive after installation. No two water conditioning installations are the same, and unforeseen issues can happen. If they do, you’ll want to be sure your plumbing company has your back.
1. Review your water quality test
2. Conduct additional testing if needed
3. Analysis of your home’s plumbing system and equipment
4. Explore your options with an expert
5. Have a conversation about pricing and payment options
Family Owned and Operated Since...
While some homeowners may want to be home while their plumber is working, it's not necessary.
Depending on availability, you can schedule your installation for as early as 8am the next business day.
As long as there is access to the installation worksite and any other areas that your plumber may need to operate in, there's no need to clean up beforehand.
While the amount of time needed to install your new system depends on the job's complexity, most installations are usually completed in 4-6 hours.
If you have a friendly dog or cat, there is no need to put them in a crate or close them off in a room if, unless you normally do so. We love saying hello to our customer’s pets!
“Scheduling was easy and efficient. The technicians were knowledgeable and did a great job installing the new softener.”
– Matthew R.
“Exceptional service from Mattioni. They installed our new water softener system and new faucets. They’re very friendly, knowledgeable, polite and answered all our questions about the water softener system. Their professionalism and work performance is outstanding. Which is why we’ll continue to come back to Mattioni Plumbing.”
Mattioni has seen many changes throughout our history, but one thing remains the same: our dedication to our customers.
Now in our third generation of family ownership, Mattioni continues to hold our values above all else.
All of our plumbers graduate from a rigorous training and apprenticeship program led by our master plumbers. All of our staff participate in continued training, so that we can continue to bring our customers a 5-star experience.
We proudly serve homeowners in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and parts of Bucks counties.
Our mission remains simple: provide high quality plumbing services, because everyone should have a comfortable house to call home.
Simply put, our services are guaranteed to go swimmingly.
