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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yellow stains on sinks, tubs, and fixtures are often caused by iron in the water supply. Even small amounts of iron can leave yellow or orange discoloration over time. Homes with well water are especially likely to experience this issue. A water test can confirm the cause and help determine the best treatment option.

  • Brown stains inside a dishwasher are usually caused by iron, manganese, or calcium in the water. Water treatment systems such as iron filters or water softeners can help reduce staining and protect appliances.

  • Blue-green stains are commonly linked to copper corrosion in plumbing. This can happen when water has a low pH (acidic). Over time, acidic water can wear down copper pipes and leave stains on sinks, tubs, and fixtures. A water quality test can identify whether pH correction or filtration is needed.

  • A rotten egg smell in water is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. This odor is common in well water. Specialized water treatment systems can help eliminate the smell and improve water quality. Sometimes, sulfur-reducing bacteria are present, which may require chemical disinfection.

  • Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds made of nitrogen and oxygen, commonly found in soil, fertilizer, and groundwater. High nitrate levels in drinking water can be a health concern, especially for pregnant women, infants, and young children.

  • Nitrates can come from fertilizers, septic systems, animal waste, and decaying organic matter. Rain and groundwater can carry nitrates into wells and underground water supplies.

  • Nitrate can enter well water through runoff from farms, lawns, septic systems, and other nearby sources. Shallow wells and older wells may be more vulnerable to contamination. Regular well water testing can help detect nitrate problems early.

  • High nitrate levels in drinking water may pose health risks, especially for infants under six months old. If your water contains elevated nitrate levels, treatment options such as reverse osmosis may help improve potability.

  • Water can still have an unpleasant taste or odor even if it meets basic safety standards. Chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, metals, minerals, or dissolved organic materials may affect taste without making the water “unsafe” to drink. Drinking water filtration systems for the home can help improve the taste and smell of your water.

  • Cloudy water is often caused by tiny air bubbles trapped in the water supply. In many cases, the cloudiness disappears after the water sits for a short time. However, cloudy water can also be caused by sediment, minerals, or other water quality issues that require testing to identify.

  • Iron bacteria are microorganisms that feed on iron in water. They can create slimy buildup in pipes, toilets, and fixtures, and may produce unpleasant odors. While iron bacteria are not usually harmful to human health, they can affect water quality and plumbing performance. Chemical disinfection plus iron filtration is usually the most effective water treatment method.

  • Iron is a naturally occurring mineral that can be present in your water in 2 forms: dissolved (invisible) or suspended as particulates (visible). Iron bacteria thrive in pools of water with iron that go undisturbed for periods of time. This could be your water heater, washer, or toilet. Symptoms of iron bacteria in water include:

    • Orange or brown staining on sinks, tubs, faucets, appliances, the toilet tank, or laundry
    • A metallic taste to your water
    • Low water pressure

  • Common signs of hard water include:

    • White spots or film on dishes
    • Soap scum on shower doors
    • Dry skin and hair
    • Stiff, dingy laundry
    • Poor soap lathering
    • Scale buildup on plumbing fixtures
    • Stains on laundry
    • Mineral rings in toilets
    • Appliance and plumbing issues

  • Water becomes hard when it contains high levels of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up naturally as groundwater moves through rock and soil.

  • Softened water is water that has had hard minerals like calcium and magnesium removed through a water softener system. Softened water can help reduce staining, scale buildup, improve soap performance, and extend the life of plumbing and appliances.

  • Most softened water contains only small amounts of sodium. For many people, the amount is not considered a health concern. However, those on low-sodium diets may want to discuss their water quality with a healthcare provider or consider different treatment options. Salt-free water softeners are a great alternative for softening water without the need for sodium chloride.

  • Soft water feels slippery because it lacks the calcium and magnesium minerals found in hard water. These minerals normally react with soap to form a residue that gives skin a “squeaky clean” friction. Without them, soap rinses more effectively, leaving your skin’s natural oils intact. The “slippery” feeling is actually less mineral residue on your skin.

  • Most water softeners work with evaporated salt pellets, solar salt, or rock salt. The best choice depends on your water quality and softener system. Higher-purity salts generally help reduce buildup and maintenance needs.

  • Yes, potassium chloride can be used instead of sodium chloride in many water softeners. Some homeowners choose potassium chloride to reduce sodium levels in softened water. Check your system manufacturer’s recommendations before switching.

  • When properly maintained, water softeners are generally safe for septic systems. Using the correct settings and scheduling regular maintenance can help prevent unnecessary strain on your septic system.

  • Whole-house water filtration treats water as it enters your home. These systems can help reduce sediment, chlorine, iron, minerals, and other water contaminants throughout the entire house. Reverse osmosis (RO) filter systems are usually installed at one faucet, often in the kitchen. RO systems remove very small contaminants and provide highly purified drinking water.

  • A water softener and a filtration system do different jobs. Water softeners remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. Filtration systems reduce contaminants like chlorine, sediment, iron, etc. Many homes benefit from having both systems.

  • In many cases, yes. Whole-home water filtration systems improve water quality throughout your entire property. However, this may not remove all dissolved contaminants from drinking water. A reverse osmosis system provides extra purification for drinking and cooking water.

  • Most reverse osmosis filters should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. The RO membrane itself usually lasts 2 to 5 years. Regular maintenance helps keep the system working properly.

  • Sometimes a small hole is needed for a separate RO faucet. However, many homes already have an available opening. Our water treatment professionals can review your setup and recommend the best option.

  • Yes, many reverse osmosis water filtration systems can connect to refrigerators. This provides purified water and clearer, better-tasting ice.

  • Water treatment improves your water quality by removing contaminants, such as minerals and chemicals, that can affect taste, cause plumbing issues, and even impact health. Treated water helps extend the life of appliances, reduces soap usage, and provides better-tasting drinking water. Additionally, it gives you peace of mind that your water is clean and free of harmful pollutants.

  • Signs that you need a water treatment system vary depending on what’s in your water. However, some common signs you could benefit from home water treatment include:

    • Spots on dishes
    • Limescale buildup on fixtures and in pipes
    • Dry skin and hair after showering
    • Stained sinks, tubs, and toilets
    • An unpleasant taste or odor in your water
    • Decreased water pressure
    • Slime in your toilet tank
    • Stains on clothing or stiff, dull laundry
    • Discolored water
    • Sediment and cloudy water

    These signs often indicate hard water, high iron, hydrogen sulfide gas, or other common water issues.

  • Futuramic’s Clean Water Center offers free professional water testing. Our experts will come to your home to collect a water sample. From there, we perform advanced testing and then explain your results in simple terms. We can identify hardness, heavy metal content, and various contaminants.

    We also offer lab testing for a fee if you need more comprehensive results, such as results for PFAS or lead.

  • Common contaminants include minerals (like calcium and magnesium), chlorine, iron, nitrates, bacteria, hydrogen sulfide gas, pesticides, VOCs, and PFAS. The specific contaminants in your water depend on your location and water source.

  • Hard water leaves scale buildup in pipes, reducing water flow and pressure. It also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.

  • We offer water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, whole-house filters, UV purification, iron removal systems, activated carbon filters, acid neutralizers, and our exclusive EV2CR system for ammonia removal. Each system addresses specific water quality issues.

    We service and carry most major brands, including Evolve Series® softeners, VIQUA UV treatment systems, and more.

  • Choosing the right water treatment system depends on your specific water issues. We start with a water test to identify your unique water challenges. Our experts then recommend the best solution based on your test results, home size, water usage, and budget.

  • Water softeners remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium, effectively “softening” water. Filters remove sediment, chlorine, and various contaminants. Purifiers (like reverse osmosis or UV systems) address contaminants that filters can’t easily remove, like PFAS, bacteria, and viruses.

  • Whole-house water filtration systems treat all water entering your home, providing clean water from every tap. Point-of-use systems (like under-sink filters) treat water at specific locations. Many homes benefit from a combination of both approaches.

  • Well water and city water often have different treatment needs. Well water often requires more comprehensive treatment for issues like iron, bacteria, and other naturally occurring contaminants. City water typically needs treatment for chlorine, hardness, and potentially lead.

  • First, we will conduct a water test and recommend the right system or combination of systems. Then, we schedule installation at your convenience. Our technicians handle the entire process, from connecting to your water line to setting up and testing the system.

  • Most standard installations take 2-4 hours, depending on the system and your home’s plumbing configuration. More complex installations may take longer, but we’ll provide a time estimate before we begin.

  • Water service is typically interrupted for only a few hours during installation. We’ll let you know exactly when to expect this brief disruption so you can plan accordingly.

  • We need clear access to your main water line and the installation area (typically near your water heater or in a basement or utility room). We’ll handle all the technical work, but clearing the space beforehand helps ensure efficient installation.

  • Permit requirements vary by location. In most areas we serve, standard water treatment system installations don’t require permits. If your installation does require a permit, we’ll handle the paperwork and ensure all necessary inspections are completed.