Common Michigan Water Problems & Solutions
If you’re dealing with strange tastes or odors in your water or noticing stains throughout your property, you’re not alone. Many Michigan homeowners experience such common water problems caused by naturally occurring minerals, industrial pollution, aging infrastructure, and other sources. Left untreated, these issues can affect everything from your health to your appliances.
At American Aqua, we specialize in diagnosing and solving water quality issues so you can enjoy clean drinking water. We service both residential and commercial properties throughout the region.
Get Your QuoteHard Water
Hard water problems are common with both private and public water supplies. Caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium, hard water issues can include:
- Limescale on plumbing fixtures, shower doors, and buildup in pipes and water-using appliances
- Dry, itchy skin and dull hair after showers
- Spotty dishes and glassware
- Soap scum
- Reduced appliance efficiency
- Stiff, dull laundry
Solution: Water Softener
Water softeners are the best solution for hard water. Our WaterMax Series Softener is a top-tier option that removes all water hardness. It also eliminates 100% of radium and barium. The system is also completely customizable. It can treat multiple contaminants and different types of problem water.
Its high efficiency helps customers cut salt usage by up to 50%. If you’re looking for great water on a budget, the WaterMax delivers outstanding performance!
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
High Iron
High iron in water is a common concern for residents, especially those who rely on private wells. It can cause rusty stains on sinks, bathtubs, and laundry, metallic tastes, sediment, and slime buildup from iron bacteria.
Solution: Iron Removal System
A filtration system that specifically removes iron from water is the best way to address high iron content. Sometimes, this is paired with a sediment filter for particles in water and chemical treatment to eliminate iron bacteria. (Iron filters themselves do not use chemicals to remove iron from water.)
Our Iron Curtain System removes up to 15 ppm of clear water iron. It can solve most iron issues when competitors can’t, even iron bacteria contamination. Our customers have seen excellent results— often triple the iron removal capacity of other brands.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Manganese in Water
Manganese in water often accompanies iron and causes dark staining on fixtures, silverware, sinks, tubs, and laundry. It may also lead to a bitter or metallic taste and can have negative health effects if consumed at high levels. Some people experience grayish water or particles in their water, as well.
Solution: Iron Removal System & Water Softener
Low levels of manganese can be addressed with a water softener, but an iron filtration system is the more effective option. Most iron filters address both iron and manganese simultaneously for cleaner, better-tasting water and stain-free fixtures.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Chlorine in Tap Water
While chlorine helps disinfect public water systems, it can cause a strong chemical odor and taste.
Solution: Carbon Filtration & Reverse Osmosis (RO)
A carbon filter plus reverse osmosis system can effectively remove chlorine from your water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Nitrates
Nitrates in water pose serious health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women. Nitrates are invisible, tasteless, and odorless. They can leak into water supplies from fertilized farmland, septic systems, industrial pollution, decomposing organic matter, and other sources.
Solution: Reverse Osmosis (RO) & Our WaterMax Series
Our Hague WaterMax with specialty resin effectively removes nitrates and bacteria at the point of entry. Another option for nitrate removal is our advanced RO system which offers exceptionally pure water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Tannins
Tannins in water give it a yellow or brownish color and usually a musty, earthy flavor. Though not typically harmful, they can stain laundry and affect taste and smell.
Solution: WaterMax Series
The WaterMax with specialty tannin resin is your go-to solution. It regenerates using salt like a traditional water softener but is designed to remove tannins effectively.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Sulfur Odor
If your water smells like rotten eggs, you have “sulfur water” from hydrogen sulfide gas.
Solution: Our Sentry Open-Air System & Sanitizer Series
If you only notice a rotten egg smell when you use hot water, your water heater may simply need servicing. However, if both hot and cold water are affected, you likely need specialized treatment. Our Sanitizer Series and Sentry Open-Air System both offer a solution for hydrogen sulfide gas. The Sentry system can also be adapted to address different water needs.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Methane in Water
Methane in water can appear as bubbles in your well, spitting faucets, or a gas-like odor. It’s flammable and potentially dangerous in enclosed spaces.
Solution: Aeration
Aeration is the most common and effective method for removing methane from water. It involves mixing air with water to release dissolved methane into the atmosphere. Our Sentry Open-Air System is highly effective at eliminating methane gas. It uses advanced aeration technology to safely vent methane and other gases, giving you peace of mind and cleaner water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Acidic Water
Acidic water has a low pH and can corrode pipes and leach harmful metals from plumbing systems. It often causes blue-green stains on sinks, tubs, and laundry, and tarnished silverware. You might also see particles in water or notice a metallic taste or smell.
Solution: Acid Neutralizing System
We offer pH-balancing systems that neutralize acidity, protecting your plumbing and improving the taste of your water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water, or turbidity, often results from suspended particles such as clay, silt, or organic material. While not always dangerous, it can be unsightly and interfere with water treatment or disinfection.
Solution: Sediment Filtration & Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Sediment filters trap fine particles in water. RO systems ensure crystal-clear drinking water by removing sediment and many other contaminants. You can combine a sediment prefilter and reverse osmosis for superior water quality.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Earthy or Fishy Odors
If water smells earthy or fishy, it’s often due to naturally occurring algae or decaying organic matter. You may notice this issue more during warm weather.
Solution: Carbon Filtration, Reverse Osmosis (RO), & Chemical Treatment
Carbon filtration eliminates unpleasant smells and tastes in water. RO systems provide pure, odor-free drinking water by removing many pollutants. Chemical treatment, like adding chlorine, can kill algae and other sources of earthy odors in wells.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Bacteria in Water
Bacteria in well water can pose serious health risks. For example, contaminants like coliform bacteria and E. coli are often introduced through agricultural runoff, failing septic systems, or animal waste.
Solution: UV Water Treatment, Specialty Resin, & Reverse Osmosis (RO)
UV water treatment is an effective method for killing harmful bacteria in water sources. Our WaterMax Series configured with specialty resin can also target and eliminate bacteria from water. Reverse osmosis offers added peace of mind by removing many different forms of bacteria and viruses.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
PFAS & VOCs in Water
Toxic chemicals in your water like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and PFAS can be harmful to your health. You can ingest them in your drinking water, inhale them in the shower, or absorb them through your skin. Sources may include pesticides and herbicides, disinfection byproducts, landfills, industrial discharge, and more.
More About PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are long-lasting “forever chemicals” linked to potential health risks. These toxic chemicals in water are usually invisible and undetectable without testing.
Solution: Reverse Osmosis (RO), Our Pioneer™ System, & Carbon Filtration
Our American Aqua RO system is highly effective at reducing toxic substances, including PFAS. Additionally, our Pioneer™ filtration system features a thoughtfully engineered nominal 0.5-micron filter. It is the first system designed for whole-house removal of lead, cysts, and PFOA/PFOS (types of PFAS).
Carbon filters are a top choice for the removal of VOCs and can be integrated into RO systems.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Lead in Water
Lead in water is a big human health concern, especially for children and pregnant women. It often comes from old plumbing, including public water distribution systems.
Solution: Reverse Osmosis (RO) & Our Pioneer™ System
Reverse osmosis is highly effective at reducing lead and keeping your drinking water clean. RO uses a semi-permeable membrane with tiny filtering pores. Many systems include activated carbon filters to adsorb lead particles before water reaches the membrane, enhancing overall efficiency.
Our own Pioneer™ system also ensures whole-house water filtration for lead. It removes both soluble and particulate forms of lead.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Arsenic
Arsenic in water can be hazardous to your health. It’s often found in wells across Michigan.
Solution: Arsenic Water Filter System
We customize our WaterMax Series and equip it with the right filtration media to reduce arsenic in water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Gas or Oil Taste or Odor
If your water has a gasoline or oily smell, it may be contaminated by nearby fuel spills or leaking underground storage tanks. This can pose immediate health risks.
Solution: Carbon Filtration & Reverse Osmosis (RO)
We offer RO and carbon filter systems designed to remove petroleum-based contaminants from water.
To learn more and get a FREE in-home water test and estimate, contact us today.
Get Expert Help from American Aqua
American Aqua has helped thousands of Michigan residents tackle common water problems with custom, advanced solutions. Whether you’re dealing with hard minerals or a sulfur smell in your water, we have the expertise and equipment you need.
Contact us to book your free water test in Michigan!
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Common Contaminants in Michigan
Hover over your city to see common contaminants and read more about them on the ewg.org website.
