Problems & Solutions
Common Water Problems & Solutions in MD & PA
Every home deserves clean, safe water, but properties across Maryland and Pennsylvania can face unique water quality challenges. Let’s explore common water problems in our region and the professional solutions available to address them.
If you need more assistance, check out our Solution Center at our Water Center website for an interactive guide to help you with your water quality issue.
Hard Water Causing Appliance Failure & Scale Buildup
Hard water is a common water problem that causes scale buildup throughout the home, premature appliance failure, and other symptoms. Hard water contains high levels of hard minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron. This leads to mineral deposits and other issues across different areas of your home.
Side Effects:
- Soap scum on glassware and shower doors
- Scale buildup on fixtures and in pipes
- Dull, stiff laundry
- Dry or itchy skin
- Dull, dry hair
- Early appliance failure
- High soap and detergent use/soap doesn’t form suds easily
- Bathtub or toilet ring
Treatment: Water Softener/Conditioner
A water softener removes minerals from water through an ion exchange process utilizing sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Water conditioning systems work by changing the structure of the minerals so they don’t stick to surfaces. Both options can prevent common issues linked to hard water.
Iron in Water Causing Reddish Stains / Iron Bacteria Causing Slime Buildup
Iron is a common water contaminant. The presence of iron in water or iron bacteria can lead to staining throughout your home. Stains usually look reddish-brown or orange. You might also see a red or brown tint to water, slime in the toilet tank, or brown or rusty sediment. Iron bacteria also cause slime buildup in plumbing, which can clog pipes and affect flow rates.
Side Effects:
- Stains on laundry, sinks, and tubs
- Rusty water
- Slime in water (caused by iron bacteria)
- Metallic taste or odor
- Particles in water
Treatment: Sediment Filter, Birm Filter, Water Softener, & Chemical Treatment
A sediment filter can remove low amounts of iron while a specialized iron filter (Birm) does the hard work. Many softeners can also help remove iron in addition to hard minerals. For iron bacteria, chemical treatment is an effective solution.
Acidic Water Causing Blue-Green Stains & Metallic Taste
Acidic water can dissolve and corrode copper and/or brass in your plumbing system. This results in various symptoms and can lead to plumbing problems, and affect the longevity of plumbing fixtures.
Side Effects:
- Blue-green stains in sinks and showers
- Stains on laundry
- Metallic taste or odor
- Particles in water
- Tarnished silverware
- Corroded pipes and plumbing components
Treatment: Acid Neutralizer or Chemical Feed Pump (using soda ash)
An acid neutralizer works by increasing the water’s pH as it flows over a mineral-rich media. A chemical feed pump can inject soda ash into water to reduce acidity.
High Levels of Manganese in Water Creating Black or Gray Stains
Manganese is another common water contaminant in drinking water sources. While low levels are harmless, high concentrations of this metal can make water dangerous to consume and lead to black or grayish staining.
Side Effects:
- Black or gray stains on fixtures, laundry, silverware, and dishes
- Staining on toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks
- Metallic taste or odor
- Discolored water
- Particles in water
Treatment: Birm Filter & Water Softener
Low levels of manganese are treated with a water softener, while higher levels are treated with a Birm filter and softener.
Cloudy Water/Turbidity
Water containing fine particles (turbidity) or coarse particles (sediment) can appear cloudy and cause problems with plumbing and treatment equipment. These particles often come from sand, rust, organic matter, or clay. They are particularly common in pond, lake, and river water supplies.
While sediment typically settles within minutes, turbidity remains suspended and needs specialized filtration. Turbid water also has the potential to contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that attach to suspended particles in the water.
Side Effects:
- Cloudy water
- Suspended particles in water
- Poor taste or odor
- Clogged pipes
- Malfunctioning water-using appliances
Treatment: Sediment Filtration, Microfiltration, or Reverse Osmosis (RO)
RO, sediment filters, and microfiltration are all excellent, go-to options for removing sediment and fine particles from water. These systems use either mechanical filtration or membranes to trap tiny contaminants.
Chloride Causing Salty Flavor & Pipe Corrosion
High amounts of chloride in water can cause a salty taste and corrode pipes, plumbing fixtures, and pump components. Chloride in drinking water may come from road salt contamination, sewage, or simply natural sources that run into the water supply.
Side Effects:
- Salty taste
- Damaged pipes, plumbing components, or fixtures
- Damaged water heater
- Damaged well pump
Treatment: Reverse Osmosis (RO)
RO is one of the most effective ways to remove chloride from water, as it filters particles via a special membrane.
Rotten Egg Odor
Contamination by hydrogen sulfide gas (which occurs naturally in wells) can cause your water to smell like rotten eggs. This is a common well water problem, and solutions include filtration plus aeration.
Side Effects:
- Rotten egg odor or taste
- Laundry smells like sulfur
- Tarnished silverware
Treatment: Whole-House Iron Filter in Conjunction With Aeration, or Activated Carbon
Sulfur odor is easily removed with a specialized iron filter plus aeration, or a carbon filter, which absorbs hydrogen sulfide. The aeration releases the gas from the water before it enters your home.
Earthy, Musty, or Fishy Smell
Algae products in water sources can cause an earthy, fishy, or musty/moldy smell and flavor in your tap water. This sometimes happens in the warmer months.
Side Effects:
- Unpleasant smells or flavors
- Stomach issues
- Skin and eye irritation
- Respiratory issues
Treatment: Carbon Filtration or Chemical Treatment
Carbon filters attract and trap odor-causing contaminants, including those that cause earthy/musty/fishy smells and tastes. Chemical treatments such as chlorine can kill algae, bacteria, and other waterborne organisms.
Nitrates
Nitrates in water are odorless, flavorless, and invisible, but they can cause serious health issues, especially in pregnant women and infants. Sources range from fertilizer runoff from farmland to industrial contamination and decaying organic materials.
Side Effects:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Baby blue syndrome (in infants)
- Other health issues
Treatment: Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis forces water through a special membrane that blocks nitrates. Depending on your needs, whole-house or point-of-use systems are both effective options.
Stomach Problems & Health Issues Caused by Bacteria
Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, and other health issues, can come from harmful bacteria or other pathogens in water.
Side Effects:
- Noticeable health issues
- Cloudy water
- Unpleasant tastes or odors
Treatment: Ultraviolet (UV) Light Water Treatment
UV light provides powerful protection against bacteria by damaging the microorganisms’ DNA, preventing them from reproducing or causing illness.
Chlorine Taste & Odor
Municipal water supplies often use chlorine to sanitize water. This can cause an unpleasant chemical smell or flavor.
Side Effects:
- Chlorine taste and odor
Treatment: Carbon Filtration or Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Carbon filters remove chlorine smell and taste from water primarily by altering the molecules through a chemical reaction. Reverse osmosis systems use a semi-permeable membrane that blocks chlorine molecules while allowing pure water to pass through.
Gas or Oil Taste & Odor
If you notice a fuel-like smell or taste in your water, this signals a potentially serious contamination issue. The most common causes are leaking underground fuel tanks near water wells, industrial discharge from factories or landfills, and agricultural runoff. Sometimes, local oil spills or fuel leaks can also contaminate water supplies.
Side Effects:
- Fuel-like taste or odor
- Stomach issues
- Short and long-term health problems
Treatment: Activated Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon filters can trap and absorb these contaminants within their porous structure. Coconut shell carbon is particularly effective for filtering out gases and oils from water. It should be noted that some counties require UV light treatment following carbon filtration.
Lead
Lead gets into water supplies through aging infrastructure and old plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 can have lead pipes or plumbing components containing lead, which can corrode over time. Corrosion releases this toxic metal into your water.
Side Effects:
- Developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues in children
- Kidney damage and dysfunction
- High blood pressure in adults
- Memory and concentration problems
- Pregnancy complications
Treatment: Activated Carbon & Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plus an Acid Neutralizer
Specialized activated carbon filters bind lead molecules and trap them. RO removes any remaining lead by preventing it from passing through a special semipermeable membrane.
If acidic water is compounding the problem by corroding your pipes, an acid neutralizer can solve this issue.
PFAS
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are man-made chemicals that have been detected in water supplies across the U.S. These contaminants are linked to various health risks and are nearly impossible to detect without specialized laboratory testing. PFAS can enter water through industrial discharge, landfill runoff, firefighting foams, and other sources.
Side Effects:
Treatment: Reverse Osmosis (RO), Activated Carbon, and/or Ion Exchange
For complete removal of PFAS, a combination of these treatments is often recommended to ensure safe drinking water.
Contact Our Team
For effective water treatment for any water issue you’re facing, start with a water test from our professionals! Call (410) 840-2583 now.
We provide solutions for residents throughout Maryland and Southern PA. Service areas include:
- Carroll County
- Howard County
- Kent County
- Montgomery County
- Anne Arundel County
- Harford County
- Adams County, PA
- Franklin County, PA
- York County, PA
- And more
Common Water Quality Problem FAQs
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Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?
A rotten egg odor is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide gas and/or sulfur-reducing bacteria. The smell may come from groundwater, plumbing, or the water heater, so testing is important before choosing a treatment solution.
Hydrogen sulfide gas is a common water concern for residents in Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania. Private well owners often deal with rotten egg odors, sulfur bacteria, and resulting slime buildup.
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What causes sulfur and methane gases in water, and how are they removed?
Sulfur and methane gases may develop naturally in groundwater as organic material breaks down. Treatment may include aeration, oxidation, venting, activated carbon, or specialized filtration based on water test results.
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How do you get rid of sulfur smells in water?
Sulfur odors can be treated with oxidation, activated carbon filtration, aeration, chemical feed systems, or other specialty filters. The right solution depends on the level of hydrogen sulfide and whether bacteria or your water heater is contributing to the problem.
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Why is my tap water cloudy?
Cloudy water may be caused by air bubbles, sediment, high mineral levels, or changes in water pressure. If the cloudiness does not clear after the water sits in a glass, professional testing can help identify the cause.
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What causes dirt and sediment in water, and how is it treated?
Sediment can enter water from wells, aging pipes, water main work, soil, sand, or corrosion inside plumbing. Sediment filters, spin-down filters, and various whole-house filtration systems can remove large particles in water.
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What causes hard minerals in water, and how are they removed?
Hard water develops when groundwater picks up calcium and magnesium from rock and soil. A water softener removes these minerals through ion exchange, helping reduce scale throughout your plumbing and property.
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Why does my water taste like metal?
A metallic taste may be caused by iron, manganese, copper, zinc, low pH, or corrosion inside your plumbing. Water testing can identify the source and determine whether filtration, pH correction, or plumbing repairs are needed.
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What causes iron in water and how is it treated?
Iron commonly enters well water as groundwater passes through iron-bearing soil and rock. Treatment may include an iron filter, oxidation system, sediment filtration, or softening, depending on the type and amount of iron present.
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What are nitrates in water?
Nitrates are compounds that can enter groundwater from fertilizers, septic systems, animal waste, and natural sources. They cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance, so professional water testing is required. Nitrates in water can pose health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women.
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How do you remove nitrates from water?
Reverse osmosis and anion exchange systems are commonly used to reduce nitrates in drinking water. The treatment system should be selected based on water test results and household water usage.
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What are bacteria in water, and how can they be removed?
Bacteria in water are microorganisms that may enter through damaged wells, septic systems, flooding, surface runoff, plumbing contamination, or other sources. Depending on the source, treatment may include chemical disinfection, UV water treatment, filtration, and/or well repairs.
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What is chlorine in drinking water and how is it removed?
Chlorine is a disinfectant used by public water systems to control bacteria and other microorganisms. Sometimes, chlorine can cause chemical tastes and odors in water. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters can reduce chlorine at a single faucet or throughout the entire home.
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What is chromium-6 in water?
Chromium-6, also called hexavalent chromium, is a form of chromium that may enter water from industrial activity or natural sources. Laboratory testing is needed to determine whether it is present in water. Reverse osmosis water filtration or specialized filters can help reduce it.
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What are PFAS and PFOS, and how can they be reduced in drinking water?
PFAS are a large group of long-lasting manufactured chemicals, while PFOS is one specific type. Reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon filters, and some ion exchange resin systems can reduce many PFAS compounds in water.
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What other contaminants are found in drinking water?
Drinking water may contain lead, arsenic, radium, nitrates, bacteria, pesticides, VOCs, sediment, iron, manganese, chlorine, and other contaminants. The risks vary by water source, location, plumbing materials, and nearby land use, making professional testing the best way to get clear answers.