Other Water Issues
Hard water, iron, and sulfur get most of the attention — but they’re not the only water problems Iowa homeowners face. Acidic water, bacteria, nitrates, and sediment are all common, and all treatable. A free water test is the best way to know what you’re dealing with.
Acidic Water & Low pH
Water with a pH below 7 is considered acidic. Normal drinking water should be close to neutral (pH 7) or slightly alkaline. When water is acidic, it becomes corrosive — meaning it actively attacks the metal in your plumbing system.
Signs of acidic water include blue-green staining on copper pipes and fixtures (copper leaching), a metallic taste in drinking water, pinhole leaks in copper pipes, and accelerated corrosion of water heaters and appliances.
Acidic water is particularly common in private well water across northeast Iowa, especially in areas with sandy or light soils that don’t neutralize acids naturally.
How We Fix It: Conditioners →Bacteria & Coliform
Unlike hard water or iron, bacteria in drinking water is a health issue — not just a nuisance. Coliform bacteria are used as an indicator of water quality; their presence suggests that disease-causing organisms may also be present.
E. coli — a specific type of coliform — is a direct indicator of fecal contamination and poses a serious health risk.
Private well owners are responsible for their own water safety, and the EPA recommends testing well water for bacteria at least once a year. Municipal water is regularly tested, but problems can occur in the distribution system or in home plumbing.
Bacteria in Well Water
Bacteria can enter a well through flooding, nearby agricultural activity, a cracked casing, or improper well construction. You can’t see, smell, or taste bacteria — which is why testing is the only way to know if your water is safe.
If you’re on a private well, annual testing is strongly recommended — especially if you have young children, elderly family members, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Our free in-home water test includes coliform and E. coli testing so you have a complete picture of your water’s safety, not just its quality.
Schedule a Free Water Test →Nitrates — An Iowa-Specific Risk
Nitrates are a significant water quality concern in agricultural areas like northeast Iowa. Fertilizers, animal waste, and septic systems all contribute nitrogen to the soil — and when it leaches into groundwater, it shows up in wells as nitrate contamination.
Nitrates are colorless, odorless, and tasteless — you won’t know they’re there without testing. At elevated levels, nitrates pose a health risk, especially to infants under six months, where they can cause a condition known as “blue baby syndrome” (methemoglobinemia).
The EPA’s maximum contaminant level for nitrates is 10 mg/L. Shallow wells and wells near agricultural operations are most at risk. Testing is the only way to know your level.
How We Fix It: RO Systems →Highest risk. Infant formula mixed with nitrate-contaminated water can cause serious illness. Boiling does not remove nitrates — it concentrates them.
Elevated nitrate exposure during pregnancy has been studied in relation to certain health outcomes. Testing is recommended during pregnancy for well water users.
Especially those near cropland, livestock operations, or with shallow wells. Annual testing is strongly recommended in agricultural areas.
More Problems We Can Solve
These are less common but still regularly encountered in northeast Iowa water supplies.
Turbidity & Sediment
Cloudy or murky water is usually caused by suspended particles — sediment, clay, or organic matter. Sediment filters clear the water and protect downstream equipment like softeners and RO systems from premature wear.
Manganese
Often found alongside iron, manganese causes black or brownish-black staining — darker than iron’s orange-brown. It can affect taste and, at elevated levels, has been associated with health concerns. Treated the same as iron in most cases.
PFAS & Emerging Contaminants
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are increasingly being found in water supplies across Iowa. Our Specialty Solutions — including NSF-certified ONE™ filters — are specifically designed to address these emerging contaminants.
Not Sure What You’re Dealing With?
That’s exactly what a free water test is for. We’ll test for hardness, iron, pH, bacteria, nitrates, and more — and give you a clear, honest picture of your water quality and what it takes to improve it.