Frequently Asked Water Treatment Questions

Start by reviewing your water supplier’s annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which provides information about the water source, testing results, and regulated contaminants.

For detailed information about your own tap water, H2O Care can perform on-site testing and arrange certified laboratory testing when needed.

Changes in the color, smell, taste, or appearance of your well water can indicate a water quality problem. Common signs include:

• Iron: Red, orange, or brown staining on tubs, toilets, sinks, fixtures, and laundry
• Manganese: Brown, gray, or black staining and, at higher levels, musty odors
• Low pH: Blue-green staining caused by copper corrosion, as well as plumbing leaks or fixture damage
• Hydrogen sulfide: A rotten-egg smell in water
• Sediment: Cloudy water or visible particles
• Hard water: Mineral scale throughout the home, dry skin and hair, stiff laundry that looks dingy, spotty dishes, soap scum buildup, and premature appliance wear

Some well water contaminants have no noticeable taste, smell, or color. Radon, arsenic, PFAS, bacteria, and other contaminants may require laboratory water testing to detect.

If you use a private well, regular testing can help you identify problems before choosing a filtration or treatment system.

Common signs of a city water quality problem include:

• Unusual tastes or odors
• Cloudy or discolored water
• Staining on plumbing fixtures or laundry
• Mineral buildup
• Dry skin and hair
• Rough, dingy laundry

For example, chlorine or chloramine used for municipal water disinfection may create a noticeable chemical taste or smell. Iron may cause staining, while hard water can leave white scale on faucets and showerheads and cause dry skin.

Cloudiness can sometimes be caused by harmless air bubbles rather than a water quality problem. If the cloudiness disappears after the water sits for a short time, trapped air may be the cause.

If you notice a sudden or ongoing change in your municipal water, check your local water quality report and consider having your tap water tested.

It depends on your local public water supply. Some municipalities add fluoride to drinking water, while others do not.

Your town or water utility should be able to tell you whether fluoride is added to your water. You can also review your utility’s annual water quality report, sometimes called a Consumer Confidence Report, for information about your drinking water.

If you want to reduce fluoride in your water, reverse osmosis water filtration can reduce fluoride along with many other dissolved contaminants.

One is no safer than the other. Public water systems are routinely tested and treated and must comply with applicable drinking water regulations. Homeowners with private wells are generally responsible for testing, maintaining, and treating their own water supply.

Private well water can provide excellent water quality when the well is properly maintained, regularly tested, and equipped with the right treatment system. Additionally, municipal water can contain things that residents might not want in their water, such as lead, chlorine, or disinfection byproducts.

Water testing is essential to truly understand and maintain your water supply, whether you use a private well or public water.

A rotten egg smell in water is most commonly caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. The gas may occur naturally in groundwater, be produced by sulfur-reducing bacteria in a well or plumbing system, or result from chemical reactions inside a water heater.

The right treatment depends on what is causing the odor. Water treatment options for sulfur odors can include aeration, oxidation followed by filtration, activated or catalytic carbon filtration, disinfection when sulfur bacteria are present, or other treatment methods.

H2O Care can test your water and determine the source of the smell before recommending a filtration system.

Sulfur odors can often be removed using oxidation, aeration, activated carbon, or specialized filtration. The most effective treatment depends on the amount of hydrogen sulfide present and other water quality factors, such as pH, iron, manganese, and bacteria.

Hydrogen sulfide and methane can occur naturally in groundwater through the breakdown of organic material in low-oxygen conditions or through geological processes. Treatment may include aeration or other oxidation and filtration methods for hydrogen sulfide. Methane is commonly addressed through aeration and safe venting. Water testing helps identify the gases present and supports selection of an appropriate treatment method.

A chlorine taste or smell is common in homes connected to a municipal water supply. Public water systems often use chlorine or chloramine during the disinfection process.

Chlorine taste and odor can be reduced with water filtration. Activated carbon is commonly used to reduce chlorine. Chloramine may require a specialized catalytic carbon filter.

The right city water filtration system depends on what disinfectant your municipality uses and what else is present in your water.

Chlorine is a disinfectant commonly used by public water systems to control bacteria and other microorganisms. Although disinfection is important for public health, some people dislike chlorine’s taste and odor in their tap water. Activated carbon filtration is commonly used to reduce chlorine in household water.

Activated carbon filtration, or reverse osmosis systems containing carbon pre- and post-filters, are effective at reducing chlorine in tap water.

A metallic taste or smell in water can be caused by iron, manganese, low pH, or metals entering the water from plumbing. Acidic water with a low pH can corrode copper pipes and other plumbing materials. Iron and manganese can also create metallic tastes along with staining.

The right solution depends on the cause. Treatment may include a water softener, iron filtration, pH neutralizer, or another type of water filtration system.

H2O Care can test your water to determine what is causing the metallic taste and recommend a system designed for your specific water conditions.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of manufactured chemicals that are highly persistent in the environment. This persistence is why PFAS are often called “forever chemicals.”

PFAS have been used in products such as stain-resistant materials, water-resistant products, certain food packaging, firefighting foams, and industrial applications. Once released, they can move into soil, groundwater, and drinking water supplies.

Exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with potential health effects, which is why PFAS in drinking water has become a concern for homeowners and water suppliers.

PFAS can enter groundwater, private wells, and public water supplies without changing the water’s color, taste, or smell. That means water may appear completely normal even when PFAS are present. However, PFAS in drinking water can pose potential health risks.

The only reliable way to know whether your water contains PFAS is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. PFAS generally cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.

If you use a private well, you are responsible for arranging PFAS testing when appropriate. If you receive municipal water, review your water supplier’s annual water quality report and any notices issued by the utility or state.

H2O Care can provide PFAS water testing and evaluate treatment options if PFAS are detected.

PFAS have been detected in numerous New England communities, but there is no single list of towns with PFAS contamination. Testing results change as new samples are collected, contaminated sources are addressed, and water systems make treatment improvements.

Common signs of hard water include white scale on faucets, spots on glasses, soap scum, dry-feeling skin and hair, and rough, dingy laundry. Mineral buildup in appliances and plumbing can also cause efficiency issues, low water pressure, and premature appliance failure. A hardness test from H2O Care can measure the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water.

Hard water is water with elevated levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. These minerals enter groundwater naturally as water moves through mineral-rich soil and rock.

Hard water is common in many areas of New England. While hardness is primarily a household maintenance issue, the scale it creates can shorten the life of water-using equipment, make cleaning more difficult, and cause plumbing problems.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater and enter homes through private well use. When water containing radon is used for showering, washing dishes, doing laundry, or other household activities, some of the radon can escape from the water into the indoor air.

Long-term exposure to radon is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Because radon cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance, lab water testing is necessary to determine whether it is present in your water.

When well water treatment is needed, aeration systems can remove radon in water and vent the gas outside. The appropriate treatment depends on the radon level and conditions at the property.

Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and bedrock and can dissolve into groundwater. As a result, arsenic can occur in private well water even when there is no obvious nearby source of pollution. Arsenic can also enter the environment from past agricultural and industrial activities.

Long-term exposure to elevated arsenic in drinking water is associated with serious health risks, including an increased risk of several types of cancer and other health effects. Arsenic has no reliable taste, smell, or color, so laboratory water testing is necessary to detect it.

If arsenic is found, treatment options may include specialized adsorptive media, anion-exchange systems, and reverse osmosis. The most appropriate option depends on the arsenic concentration and whether it is present as Arsenic III or Arsenic V.

Cloudy water can be caused by tiny air bubbles, sediment, minerals, or other suspended particles. Water that clears from the bottom of a glass upward (within a few minutes) is often caused by harmless air bubbles. Persistent cloudiness should be tested to identify its source.

Sediment and dirt can come from sand, silt, rust, aging pipes, well disturbances, or work on municipal water mains. A properly sized sediment filtration system can capture suspended particles before they reach faucets, appliances, and other treatment equipment.

Hard water occurs when groundwater picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium from rock and soil. These minerals are most commonly removed with an ion-exchange water softener, which replaces hardness minerals with sodium or potassium ions.

A metallic taste can be caused by iron, manganese, copper, low-pH corrosive water, or household plumbing. Testing can identify the cause and determine whether filtration, pH correction, or another treatment method is appropriate.

Iron occurs naturally in soil, rock, and groundwater and is particularly common in private wells. It can cause orange or reddish-brown staining, metallic tastes, and sediment. Treatment may include oxidation and filtration, specialized iron filters, or other equipment based on the type and concentration of iron.

Nitrates are compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen that can enter groundwater from fertilizers, septic systems, animal waste, and other sources. They are especially important to monitor in private wells because elevated nitrate levels can pose health risks, particularly to infants. Laboratory testing is necessary to identify nitrates in water.

Reverse osmosis and certain ion-exchange systems can reduce nitrates in drinking water. Laboratory testing should be used to determine nitrate levels before choosing treatment.

Bacteria are potentially harmful microorganisms that can enter drinking water through surface runoff, flooding, septic systems, damaged wells, or other sources of contamination.

Bacteria can be inactivated using UV water purification, chlorination, or other disinfection methods. If bacteria are detected in a private well, the well may also need to be disinfected and inspected to identify and correct the source of contamination. H2O Care can help arrange laboratory testing and recommend the appropriate treatment based on your results.

PFAS are a large group of long-lasting, man-made chemicals, while PFOS is one specific PFAS compound. They can enter groundwater and drinking water from sources such as industrial activity, landfills, and firefighting foam.

Certain activated carbon filters, ion-exchange systems with specialized resin, and RO systems can reduce specific PFAS when properly designed, installed, and maintained.

Chromium-6, or hexavalent chromium, is a form of chromium that can enter water from industrial sources or may occur naturally in the environment. Because it cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance, laboratory testing is needed to determine whether it is present in water.

Chromium-6 is a health concern, and long-term exposure through drinking water may raise cancer and other health risks. The level of risk depends on the concentration in water, how much water a person drinks, and the duration of exposure.

Drinking water can contain naturally occurring minerals, metals, microorganisms, disinfection byproducts, and other contaminants. Depending on the water source, concerns may include arsenic, radon, lead, PFAS, nitrates, bacteria, iron, manganese, sediment, chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc.

Professional water testing helps determine what water problems you’re facing so the correct treatment can be selected.

It depends on the type of water test. H2O Care offers free on-site water testing for iron, hardness, pH levels, total dissolved solids (TDS), and alkalinity. More comprehensive, paid laboratory testing can check for contaminants such as arsenic, radon, lead, bacteria, nitrates, PFAS, and more.

Water testing can still be useful if you have city water. Public water systems regularly test and treat the water they supply, but water quality can change as it travels through service lines and household plumbing.

Municipal water can contain hard minerals, chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and other contaminants. Testing may be helpful if you notice unusual tastes, odors, discoloration, staining, or have concerns about contaminants such as lead.

Yes, free professional water testing can provide useful and accurate results. H2O Care’s free testing checks iron, hardness, pH, TDS, and alkalinity. Contaminants such as PFAS, arsenic, radon, bacteria, etc., require more advanced testing through a certified laboratory.

Consider scheduling water quality testing if you notice:

• Rotten egg or other unusual odors
• Metallic or unpleasant tastes
• Cloudy or discolored water
• Staining throughout your property, such as orange stains on sinks and laundry or blue-green stains in tubs
• White scale on fixtures
• Dingy, rough laundry
• Water spots on dishes
• Corroded plumbing fixtures or pipes
• Soap scum throughout your property
• Changes in water pressure
• Frequent plumbing issues
• Water-using appliances wearing out faster than they should
• A sudden change in your water

Testing is also important because contaminants such as arsenic, radon, PFAS, and bacteria may be present without changing the taste, smell, or appearance of your water. Yearly testing is recommended for private well water and can also offer peace of mind for public water users.

Yes. Water quality testing should be one of the first steps when choosing a water treatment system. Your results can identify which minerals or contaminants need to be addressed. Our water treatment professionals can then recommend the right equipment, such as a water softener, reverse osmosis system, carbon filter, or UV purifier.

Yes. H2O Care provides professional water testing for homeowners and businesses with private wells and municipal water. We offer free on-site testing for several common water quality concerns. For a fee, we can also collect samples for more comprehensive testing through a certified laboratory.

Hard water testing measures the amount of dissolved hard minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, in your water. Results are commonly reported in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (ppm). Testing your water hardness can help determine whether you need a water softener and what size system is appropriate for your property.

Yes. A whole-home water filtration system is installed where water enters your home, allowing it to treat water before it reaches faucets, showers, appliances, and other fixtures.

Maintenance depends on the type of filtration equipment you have. Common services include replacing filters or media, inspecting tanks and housings, checking valves and connections, testing water quality, and confirming proper flow and pressure. UV systems also require lamp replacement, while water softeners need salt and periodic servicing.

A whole-house filtration system treats water as it enters your home, providing treated water to showers, appliances, and all plumbing fixtures. They can include many different types of water treatment equipment to address multiple issues at once.

Reverse osmosis water filters are often installed specifically for high-quality drinking and cooking water. They are typically installed under kitchen sinks and connected to a dedicated faucet. They use a specialized membrane to reduce many dissolved contaminants. Whole-home RO systems are also available.

It depends on your treatment goals and current water quality. Whole-house filtration can address issues throughout the home, while reverse osmosis provides an additional level of filtration for drinking and cooking water.

Some homeowners use both systems because they perform different jobs. Water testing can help determine whether adding RO would benefit your home.

A water filtration system should be sized based on your water usage, flow rate, plumbing, water quality, and the contaminants being treated. An undersized system may restrict water flow or require frequent maintenance. Our professionals can test your water and calculate the right system size for your household.

Schedule a system inspection and service appointment before assuming the equipment is working properly. Our professionals can identify the equipment, explain what each component is designed to treat, check its condition, and determine whether filters, media, salt, or other components need service or replacement.

H2O Care services and maintains many types of water filters and softeners. An evaluation can help you understand what you inherited with the home and what maintenance it may need.

A water filtration system may be outdated if it no longer treats your water effectively, requires frequent repairs, uses excessive salt or water, or relies on components that are difficult to service or replace.

Older equipment may also use mechanical controls rather than newer demand-based or digital controls. Modern systems can offer more precise operation and may use water and salt more efficiently.

Age alone does not always mean the entire system needs replacement. In some cases, a control valve or other component can be upgraded while the rest of the equipment remains useful.

For a free in-home water analysis and expert advice about your system options, contact our water specialists at H2O Care.

A professional reverse osmosis installer, like our technicians at H2O Care, can make sure the system is properly sized, connected, and configured for your water conditions.

Correct installation helps prevent leaks, low pressure, poor filtration, and other performance problems. A professional can also test your water first to determine whether RO is the right treatment method.

Signs you may need a reverse osmosis filter replacement include slow water flow, unusual tastes or odors, reduced water production, or a noticeable change in water quality. Filters should also be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, even if you have not noticed a problem.

Many RO prefilters and postfilters need replacement about every 6 to 12 months. The exact schedule depends on the system, water quality, usage, and filter type. Regular filter replacement helps protect the RO membrane and maintain water quality.

RO membranes generally last longer than standard filters and may provide several years of service. Their lifespan depends heavily on water quality, usage, pretreatment, and system maintenance. Regular service from our professionals can help determine when the membrane is no longer removing contaminants effectively and needs replacement. Most membranes last about 2 to 5 years.

Carbon filters commonly help reduce chlorine, unpleasant tastes, odors, and certain organic compounds. They can also protect the RO membrane from chlorine, which may damage some membrane materials.

Yes. Reverse osmosis can be installed in homes with private well water. However, well water should be tested first. Problems such as hardness, iron, sediment, or low pH may require pretreatment to protect the RO membrane and keep the system operating efficiently.

First, check that the water supply valve is open and look for obvious leaks or kinked tubing. Low tank pressure, clogged filters, a worn membrane, low incoming water pressure, or another system problem can also stop water production. If basic checks do not solve the issue, schedule professional service rather than taking the system apart yourself.

Yes. Many reverse osmosis systems can supply filtered water to a refrigerator’s water dispenser and ice maker. Our professional installers can determine the best connection setup for your kitchen.

Reverse osmosis can be effective at reducing many PFAS compounds in drinking water. However, system performance varies based on the specific PFAS compounds, system design, and maintenance. If PFAS is a concern, laboratory water testing can identify what is present and help determine the appropriate treatment system.

Yes. Follow the instructions issued by your local public health or water authority during a boil-water notice, even if you have a reverse osmosis system. Standard RO systems should not be assumed to make microbiologically unsafe water safe to drink during an advisory. Use boiled or otherwise approved water until officials say the notice has ended.

Many under-sink RO systems use a dedicated drinking water faucet, which may require a new opening in the sink or countertop. In some kitchens, an existing opening for a soap dispenser or other accessory can be used instead. Our professionals can inspect your sink and countertop and recommend the best installation option.

H2O Care has provided professional water treatment services since 1989. We test your water first and recommend a softener system based on your supply’s hardness level, your home’s water usage, plumbing, and treatment goals. Our team also provides professional installation, maintenance, and repairs, so you have ongoing support after your system is installed.

Yes. A water softener reduces calcium and magnesium in water, the minerals responsible for hard water scale. Reducing scale can help protect water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, faucets, pipes, and other water-using equipment while helping them operate more efficiently.

Yes. Soft water can make soap and shampoo easier to rinse away, which may leave skin and hair feeling cleaner and softer. It can also help reduce soap scum in showers and spots and cloudy residue on dishes, glasses, and shower doors.

 

A water softener uses some additional water during its regeneration cycle. Many modern demand-initiated systems track household water use and regenerate only when needed. This can help reduce unnecessary water and salt use compared with older timer-based models.

Financing options may be available for qualifying customers purchasing a new water softener or treatment system. Contact H2O Care to learn about current financing options and find a system that fits your needs and budget.

The amount of space depends on the size and design of the water softener. Most systems require room for a mineral tank and brine tank, along with access to plumbing, a drain, and an electrical outlet. H2O Care can evaluate your available space and recommend the right setup.

A water softener is typically installed near the home’s main water line so it can treat water before it reaches indoor fixtures and appliances. Installation generally requires connections for the incoming and outgoing water lines, a bypass valve, a drain line for regeneration wastewater, and a nearby electrical outlet for the control valve.

Yes. A home does not necessarily need to be pre-plumbed for a water softener. H2O Care can evaluate your existing plumbing and determine what modifications are needed for proper water softener installation.

In many homes, the necessary plumbing can be added during water softener installation. H2O Care can inspect your existing plumbing and determine the best location and installation approach for your new system.

H2O Care installs water softeners for both private well and municipal city water. We recommend testing the water first because other contaminants like iron, manganese, sediment, or other issues could be present that require additional treatment.

Regular professional maintenance can help keep your water softener operating efficiently. The ideal service schedule depends on your water quality, water usage, and equipment. H2O Care provides ongoing water softener maintenance and can recommend an appropriate service schedule for your system.

In many cases, with proper maintenance, a water softener can last 10 to 15 years or longer. However, lifespan varies with water quality, usage, equipment type, and maintenance. Control valves, resin, and other components may require service or replacement during the system’s life.

Possibly. A water softener primarily removes hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It is not designed to reduce every water contaminant. Depending on your water test results, you may also benefit from carbon filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), UV treatment, or another treatment system.

Many systems allow water to remain available during regeneration, but it may not be softened during that time unless the equipment is designed to provide continuous soft water. Regeneration is usually scheduled overnight when household water use is low.

A water softener loop is a dedicated section of plumbing designed to make installing a softener easier. It typically consists of exposed inlet and outlet pipes located near the home’s main water line.

Resin is the material inside a water softener’s mineral tank that removes hardness minerals through ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium attach to the resin beads and are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions. The resin is periodically cleaned and recharged during regeneration.

Water softener resin can often last as long as the system itself, around 10 to 15 years. However, resin lifespan depends heavily on water quality, chlorine exposure, iron levels, usage, and system maintenance.

If your water softener stops softening effectively despite operating normally, the resin may need to be replaced.

Regeneration is the cleaning cycle that restores the water softener’s ability to remove hardness minerals. The system flushes accumulated calcium and magnesium from the resin and recharges it using a brine solution. Regeneration is commonly scheduled overnight because household water demand is usually at its lowest.

The exact steps depend on your softener model. Most systems allow you to reset the clock using the control panel. Check your owner’s manual or contact H2O Care if you need help resetting your specific system.

A water softener uses ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from water. As hard water passes through the tank filled with resin beads, minerals attach to the resin. The system periodically regenerates with a salt solution to clean and recharge the resin.

Outdoor faucets used for lawns and gardens can often be bypassed so they receive untreated water. This prevents the softener from treating large amounts of irrigation water unnecessarily and avoids exposing plant life to salt in softened water, which can be harmful. H2O Care can evaluate your plumbing and determine the best setup for indoor and outdoor water use.

Installing a traditional water softener in an apartment usually requires your landlord’s permission. A whole-home softener connects directly to the plumbing system, so installation typically requires both approval and enough space for the equipment. The plumbing layout must also allow the system to be installed and drained correctly.

If a whole-home system is not an option, you may still be able to use a point-of-use drinking water filtration system for certain water quality concerns. Your landlord and our water treatment professionals can help determine what options are practical for the property.

A water softener can help reduce some of the long-term costs associated with hard water. Hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium create scale inside pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and other water-using appliances. Reducing that buildup can help protect plumbing and equipment and may extend the useful life of appliances.

Soft water also allows soap, shampoo, and detergent to work more effectively, so you may be able to use less of these products.

Actual savings vary by household, water hardness, equipment, and water use. The biggest benefit is often reducing the scale buildup and wear caused by hard water throughout the home.