How to Know if You Need a Water Filtration System

Most of us trust that when we open a tap and fill up a glass, the water that comes out is properly treated and safe to drink and use for cooking and cleaning. But many different variables affect your water quality.

Tap water may contain impurities and can be impacted by geography, the age of your plumbing systems, weather patterns, and nearby pollutants. This is especially true if you rely on well water as your primary or only water source.

It’s important to watch for the common signs that your tap water may have some issues and that you may need a water filtration system to help clean your water.

Signs that you need a water filtration system:

• Funny Taste – You’ll know it when you taste it because we instinctively know the difference between delicious, cold water and water that tastes funny. If your water tastes like chlorine or chemicals or has a sweet or metallic tinge, it’s a sign that you can benefit from a water filtration system. Many municipal water sources use chlorine as a disinfectant, but you should note if the chlorine taste is very strong.
• Odd Smells – If you get a rotten egg smell, it could be a sign of hydrogen sulfide, released when certain bacteria are in your water source. If you rely on well water and your tap water smells moldy or earthy, there could be something decaying in your water source.
• Strange Colour – Your tap water should be colourless and transparent. If you notice a change in the transparency of your water, you may need a water filtration system. Look out for green or blue tints, which may result from copper plumbing erosion, or hints of red or orange hues, which could be iron rust.
• Stains – Are you finding stains on your clothing after doing the laundry? Keep an eye out for any changes or discolouration in your normal washing as this can be a sign that your water has high levels of metals. Copper leaves blueish/greenish stains, iron leaves a rusty colour, and manganese can leave black spots on laundry.
• Water Issues in Your Area – Keep an ear open for any news about water problems affecting your community. Pay attention to any boil water advisories or news related to problems with municipal water sources.

While some water problems are immediately noticeable – such as a funky smell or a weird colour – others are not always obvious.

The best way to know if you need a water filtration system for drinking water is to bring a sample for a professional water test. These tests will check for common water contaminants and determine what is in your water.

Water filtration systems improve the quality of your drinking water by removing contaminants so your water tastes better, smells better, and doesn’t leave any stains. However, if the water test reveals that your tap water has certain bacteria, a water filtration system might not be enough. You may need a more comprehensive whole home system to resolve your water quality problems.

Our professionals will be happy to test your water and help you determine if you need a water filtration system or what kind of water treatment system is best for your home. There could be various problems, like hard water, iron-bearing water, or contaminated water. Each of these problems requires a different solution. Feel free to reach out and ask us about your water concerns, and we’ll help you figure out what kind of water treatment system you need.