Being proactive about the quality of your tap water is essential for promoting the health and well-being of your household.
Water quality testing helps identify contaminants in the water supplied by municipal utilities, which can significantly affect your health and your home. Elevated levels of bacteria, lead, and certain minerals can cause unpleasant tastes and odors in your drinking water and may also lead to plumbing issues or damage to your appliances.
Testing your water allows you to make informed decisions about water treatment options. By understanding the composition of your water beyond just H2O, you can determine whether filtration or purification systems are necessary for improved safety and comfort.
At Southport Home Services, we offer thorough water quality testing services to help identify any contaminants that may be present. Many of our residential and commercial customers schedule water testing when they move into a new property. Others have us check their water if they notice unusual tastes, scaling, or other issues.
What You Should Know About Professional Water Quality Testing
Professional water analysis goes beyond the basic kits you can buy at hardware stores or health food shops. When you choose us for water quality testing, we provide a detailed breakdown of what’s in your water.
The tap water in our service area is generally safe to drink. Established utilities like Superior Water, Rice Lake, and Milwaukee Water Works follow guidelines set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This ensures that the water meets safety standards for contaminants.
In some cases, you may taste the highest permissible levels of certain substances. For example, too much chlorine can make your water taste bitter and metallic. Some people are also concerned about fluoride, which is added to water for dental health, because several studies suggest it has adverse health effects at higher concentrations. Hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium are noticeable when they cause scaling.
When we conduct water quality testing, we start by understanding your specific concerns. We ask about any unusual tastes, odors, staining, scaling, or any other concerns you have about your water. We also inspect the water source, the age of your plumbing system, and the materials used in your pipes.
Next, we collect samples from various points in your system. This includes faucets, showers, toilets, water heaters, and any appliances connected to the plumbing. We follow strict protocols to ensure the samples are uncontaminated and accurately represent your water quality.
The samples are sent to a certified laboratory for chemical analysis. The lab provides a detailed report comparing the substances found in your water to the EPA and DNR safety standards. We take the time to explain the results in clear, easy-to-understand terms, highlighting any areas of concern. Based on the findings, we’ll recommend appropriate solutions, such as filtration or purification systems, to address any issues.
Elevated Levels of Microbiological Contaminants
The levels and types of microorganisms in tap water depend on the source and the treatment methods used. Most treated water contains low levels of microbiological contaminants that are generally harmless.
Coliform bacteria, including E. coli, are used as indicators of contamination. While they’re not usually dangerous at low concentrations, elevated levels suggest the possible presence of fecal matter from humans or animals.
Some bacteria thrive in water with high levels of minerals like iron and sulfur. These organisms aren’t typically harmful, but they can be unpleasant. If your tap water smells musty, earthy, or like rotten eggs, it’s often a sign of iron or sulfur bacteria. These microbes can also create slime inside pipes, leading to buildups in your plumbing over time.
More concerning are parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia. These protozoa can cause stomach illness and are resistant to chlorine disinfection. When present, they may indicate that the filtration at your water provider’s facility is not adequate.
Water Hardness
Hard water is a common concern in our region. It refers to water with high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. While not a health risk, hard water can be a persistent nuisance and cause wear and tear on plumbing and household appliances.
As water moves through soil and rock, it picks up minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. The more it absorbs, the harder it becomes. Water hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Hard water can affect your skin and hair, often leaving skin feeling dry or irritated and making hair appear dull or more challenging to manage.
Many of our customers notice hard water when they see dishes and glassware coming out of the dishwasher with stubborn white spots and streaks. Hard water also makes your clothes feel stiff and look dull after going through the washer and dryer. If you have been using more detergent when doing laundry lately, there’s a good chance your tap water is loaded with calcium and magnesium.
A more serious problem is scale buildup. If you see it around drains or faucets, it’s likely forming inside your plumbing as well. Over time, scale can reduce water pressure and clog pipes. Inside appliances like dishwashers, coffee makers, and especially water heaters, it forms a layer of insulation that forces components to work harder. This reduces efficiency and shortens the lifespan of the unit. In some cases, hard scaling on heating elements can even cause premature failure, requiring major water heater repair or replacement.
Water Quality Improvements
Improving your home’s water quality starts with knowing which contaminants are present and choosing the right solutions for your needs. If microbiological contaminants such as bacteria or parasites are detected, treatment options include point-of-use filters for individual faucets or more comprehensive whole-house systems. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems are particularly effective for neutralizing harmful microorganisms throughout your plumbing system without using chemicals.
Hard water is another frequent concern. Installing a water softener can resolve issues caused by high calcium and magnesium levels. These systems use ion exchange to replace hard minerals with sodium or potassium, which helps prevent scale buildup and extends the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances.
Chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, lead, and nitrates, require specialized filtration. Activated carbon filters reduce chlorine and improve taste and odor.
If your water tests show elevated lead, nitrates, or other dissolved solids, a reverse osmosis (RO) system may be a better fit. These systems force water through a semipermeable membrane, removing a wide range of impurities. While RO systems are often installed under the kitchen sink for drinking water, whole-house versions are also available for broader treatment.
The right solution depends on your test results, household needs, and preferences regarding maintenance and cost. A layered approach, such as combining a softener with a drinking water filter, often offers the most reliable results.
Contact Your Local Water Quality Experts
At Southport Home Services, we have been serving the residents of Wausau, WI, and the surrounding areas for two decades. Our water quality services include water testing as well as installing filters and softeners.
You can also count on us for all your other plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.
