While Massachusetts isn’t known for having dangerous water, that doesn’t mean that what comes out of your tap is necessarily the safest, clearest, or most ideal to consume. Aging infrastructure, hard water, and well water contamination can all degrade water quality, which is why more homeowners in Massachusetts are choosing to install a whole-home water filtration system.
Learn everything you need to know about these systems, the contaminants they remove, and how Endless Energy can help you enjoy cleaner, safer water in your home.
What’s Actually in Your Tap Water?
What’s really in your home’s water supply? Depending on your location, you may be dealing with various contaminants.
Chlorine and disinfection byproducts
Chlorine and other disinfectants are often added to water by municipalities. While these are great for reducing harmful bacteria and viruses, they can also affect the taste and smell of the water or irritate some people’s skin. Water filtration systems are often used to remove chlorine in tap water.
Hard minerals (calcium and magnesium)
Water hardness is a common Massachusetts water quality issue. When excess minerals like calcium and magnesium are in the water, they cause buildup on surfaces, wear down appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine, and affect the taste and smell of your water. Water softeners and other systems can be used to reduce hard water in Massachusetts.
Sediment and rust
Many older homes, such as those found throughout Boston and the Merrimack Valley, still rely on aging pipes. Depending on the materials used in these pipes, they may have begun to rust, leading to unpleasant issues with tap water quality. Massachusetts homeowners also sometimes encounter excess sediment in their tap water, which significantly affects the taste and, in some cases, the safety of the supply.
Potential contaminants in well water
There aren’t just potential contaminants in tap water. Well water can also become contaminated with iron, sulfur, bacteria, and nitrates, which can affect the water’s taste and appearance or pose a safety concern over time. The local plumber at Endless Energy can test your well water for harmful compounds and suggest strategies for well water filtration in Massachusetts.
Signs You Need a Whole-Home Water Filtration System
Here are the top signs you may need a water filter in your Massachusetts home:
- Strange taste: If your water tastes metallic, bitter, or has a chlorine flavor, it’s a sign you need to address contamination or excess minerals in the water supply.
- Unpleasant odors: If your water smells bad, it’s a sign of a problem. One common one is the smell of rotten eggs, which indicates sulfur in the well, pipes, or water heater.
- Cloudy or discolored water: If your water appears cloudy, it usually indicates excess minerals. If it appears discolored, sediment or rust buildup is often to blame.
- Soap not lathering properly: When soap comes into contact with high levels of magnesium and calcium in your water, it won’t lather and instead forms soap scum, which can block drains.
- Dry skin or irritated hair: Issues with your water supply can show up on your body after showers. If you’re dealing with dry hair or skin irritation, it might be a sign you need a water filtration system in Massachusetts.
- Scale buildup on fixtures/appliances: Mineral scale builds up due to excess hardness in the water, affecting appliance performance and causing a hard-to-clean mess on fixtures.
- Frequent plumbing issues or sediment buildup: If your water supply is full of sediment, it can cause pipe and drain problems over time.
Massachusetts-Specific Water Quality Challenges
Massachusetts water filtration pros address specific issues we face in the region. Older homes often have aging plumbing systems or pipes made of suboptimal materials (such as cast iron, galvanized steel, or polybutylene), which can degrade and leach sediment and other harmful contaminants into your water over time.
The area also experiences significant seasonal changes, and these fluctuations can have a greater impact on tap water quality in Massachusetts than you may realize. The heavy rain and snowmelt of spring can wash pollutants like fertilizer, animal waste, and road salt into wells and water supplies, while harmful algae and bacteria thrive during the warmer summer months.
Massachusetts has a mix of well-water users and homes that rely on the municipal system, so it’s important to consider these environmental factors.
Whole-Home Water Filtration vs. Basic Filters
Point-of-use filtration and whole-home systems are two common types of water filtration methods.
Point-of-use filters (pitchers, faucet filters)
Point-of-use water filtration filters water when it’s used. The two most common are standalone pitcher filters that you keep in the fridge or on the counter, or faucet versions, which connect directly to your tap. While these eliminate many harmful contaminants and remove some minerals, they do so only from a single source and require frequent filter changes to remain effective.
Whole-home filtration systems
These systems filter all water entering the home, so every tap, fixture, and appliance delivers filtered water. These systems offer all the benefits of point-of-use systems, all while protecting plumbing and appliances and being more practical for daily use. Because they tend to filter more contaminants more reliably, these systems are better for your long-term health and overall water efficiency.
Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Water Filtration System
There are many home water filtration benefits to consider when determining whether you need one of these systems. These benefits include:
- Cleaner, better-tasting water.
- Healthier skin and hair.
- Longer lifespan for appliances.
- Reduced plumbing repairs.
- Increased home value.
Do You Need Water Testing First?
Water testing is a crucial first step to accurately filtering out unwanted contaminants, minerals, and sediment, and the team at Endless Energy is here to help. Through these tests, we can determine what’s affecting your water quality, diagnose the issues with confidence, and help you find a filtration solution that fits your needs.
Our water tests ensure you filter out every unwanted contaminant, giving you the peace of mind that comes with a safe, clean water supply.
Why Massachusetts Homeowners Choose Endless Energy
Why do homeowners choose our team for water quality services in Massachusetts? We have extensive local expertise in Massachusetts, with a deep understanding of local water quality concerns and conditions. Our licensed plumbing professionals are knowledgeable on filtration solutions of all kinds, helping homeowners pinpoint and remove water quality concerns with confidence.
When you work with us for water filtration, we make individualized recommendations because one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to water quality. Depending on the filtration strategy you choose, we provide affordable financing for a new water filter system, discounts and deals on water testing, and we’ll even help you take advantage of Mass Save® energy-efficiency rebates for certain upgrades.
With countless glowing reviews from homeowners in our community, we’re proud to be one of the top water-quality specialists in Massachusetts.
Enjoy a Safe Water Supply With Endless Energy
If you’re ready to get real answers on your water quality, along with detailed, custom solutions on filtration and safety, we’re here to help. The team at Endless Energy helps homeowners in Massachusetts through the entire water filtration process, from testing to installation of whole-home filtration systems. Contact us today for more info or to schedule a water test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Massachusetts tap water is generally safe to drink, but in some cases, sediment, bacteria, or other contaminants can compromise its quality. It’s best to have your water tested to ensure it’s safe to consume.
What is the most common water issue in MA homes?
The most common issue we see with water quality in Massachusetts is high mineral levels, such as iron, calcium, and manganese. These cause hard water, which affects taste, odor, appearance, and wears down appliances more quickly.
How much does a whole-home water filtration system cost?
Whole-home water filtration systems range in cost depending on capacity and filtration specifics. Contact Endless Energy for a consultation and water testing to estimate your expected costs.
Do I need filtration if I have city water?
City water is treated to EPA standards, which means it should be technically safe to drink. However, this doesn’t mean it’s free of sediment, excess minerals, or harmful contaminants, so additional water filtration is often a good idea.
How often do filters need to be replaced?
Whole-home water filters need to be replaced every six to 12 months on average. Exact filter lifespan depends on the system you choose and how much water you use daily.
