419.719.0652

419.719.0652

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7300 State Route 108 Wauseon, OH 43567

Know Your Water When Buying or Building a Home

Know Your Water When Buying or Building a Home

by | August 7, 2020 | Blog

Building or buying a home can be an exciting experience. But it can also be full of stress and headaches when unexpected or unplanned situations arise.

Whether you are building or buying a home, you will need water. Knowing the water situation will help you effectively plan for a smooth transition into your new space. 

Here are a few questions and suggestions to help make sure that you have everything planned for your water needs, prior to your build or purchase. 

Building a Home

There are many things to consider when buying or building a new home. One major component is water!

What water source do you plan on using?

  • Well
  • Pond
  • City Water
  • Hauled in

What types of water sources do neighbors use? 

Are You Drilling a Well?

If you plan on drilling a well, ask your well driller, neighbors, and/or local water treatment dealers on what to expect from the water in the location you will be building. In some parts of our service area, water is naturally flowing, and plentiful. In other areas, there is simply no water to be found. If drilling a well, you’ll need to make sure water is in that area. The type of water your well produces will determine what type of water treatment is necessary for your home. 

Here are some common water issues that we see throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan What’s in Your Water Blog.

Are You Digging a Pond?

When building a home, many homeowners in our area rely on their pond as their primary water source. This is a great option for those who have no water on their property, have un-treatable water, or simply want to have this viable, safe and Ohio Department of Health certified solution for their water.

If you are digging a pond and plan on using this as your primary water source, appropriate permits will need to be applied for and obtained prior to installation of the system.  Approved contractors for digging pond and installing water treatment equipment are listed at local Health Departments.  It is important to work with your builder, plumbers, and water treatment contractors to make sure there is viable space, plumbing and electrical considerations for your system.

Will You Have City Water?

According to the Water Quality Association, approximately 85% of the U.S. population receives water from community water systems. These systems are required to meet standards set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). If you are on city water, have a discussion with your neighbors to see how they treat their water. Many homeowners using city water have Water Softeners, Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis systems installed to improve the quality and/or taste of their water. 

Expert Tip: We recommend having your house pre-plumbed for water treatment systems. Usually, your outside systems and sprinkler systems have untreated water.

Buying a Home

Living room

Water is important to consider when buying a new home. Many of the above points noted in the “Building a Home” section also apply to buying a home, but here are some specific questions you can ask that will help you better understand the water situation prior to purchasing a home. 

What water source supplies the home?

  • Well
  • Pond
  • City Water
  • Hauled in

Does the home have a water treatment system in the home?

  • Is it working?
  • What is the approximate age of the system?
  • What water treatment provider installed the system?
  • Has it been properly maintained?

Do you like the taste of the water?

As you’re taking a tour through the home, ask the realtor or homeowner for a drink of tap water. This is also a good opportunity to experience the water pressure.

Pond Water Treatment Systems

If you have a Pond Water Treatment System, you will want to become familiar with both the system and pond in general. Here are a few resources that might be helpful:

Water Hauling

Many homes in our area rely on water being hauled to their homes. You’ll want to know what that process is, and the costs.

City Water

If the home uses city water, have a discussion with your neighbors on if they treat their water, or if they have suggestions. Many homeowners using city water have their water tested for a variety of reasons. Water Softeners, Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems are commonly used to improve the quality and/or taste of their water. 

Kitchen faucet

Take Control of Your Water

If you are planning on building or buying a home, we would be happy to help you take control of your water! Give us a call at 419-335-8831 or email us at info@aquatekwater.net to discuss your water needs.

What’s in Your Water?

What’s in Your Water?

by | July 17, 2020 | Blog

While we all would love to find nuggets of gold falling into our glass when turning on the kitchen faucet each morning, unfortunately, that isn’t a reality. Learn what can really be in our water!

Here in Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan, water quality and water quantity varies widely. In some areas water is plentiful with deep flowing wells, while other areas have little to no water to tap into. Some regions have high iron content, while others have sulfur. And oftentimes, one homeowner’s water can have a completely different makeup than their nearby neighbor.

plumbing piece showing calcium and magnesium build up

Hardness

Calcium and magnesium can build up causing hardness in water. It oftentimes leaves residue on plumbing and fixtures, as well as on dishes and glassware.

Tannins Water in a Glass Jar Compared to Treated Tannins Water in a Glass Jar

Tannins

Tannins water are a natural organic material caused by decaying vegetation and peaty soil. You can see the yellow color of the untreated Tannins water next to the treated Tannins water in this photo.

Jar of water with iron

Iron

You can see little rusty/orange particles floating in this Iron Water.

A new and normal fitting alongside a fitting corroded by sulfur

Sulfur

In the picture, you’ll notice black fittings as a result of sulfur running through the pipes – those fittings should be brass in color.

Hardness

Water hardness is a common quality of water found in this region. Hard water contains dissolve compounds of calcium and magnesium, and sometimes, other metallic elements.  This is what causes mineral deposits on dishes and glassware. It can cause soap to not lather. It can also cause extra work to remove soap crud on bathtubs and shower stalls, scale build up in pipes, sinks, tubs, faucets, and appliances. 

Iron

Iron is also commonly found in water throughout this area. Most notably, it can cause staining in sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and clothing. It can also be corrosive to pipes and fixtures.

Sulfur

Sulfur is a gas found in some water throughout our region that has a very distinct smell, and taste, comparable to rotten eggs. Untreated sulfur water can come out of the faucet black and can cause staining to sinks, toilets and clothing. It can be very damaging to plumbing and non-water using appliances such as TV’s, Microwaves, HVAC systems and more. 

No Water, Low Yield Wells and Untreatable Water

No water, low yield wells, high sulfur content and salt wells can wreak havoc in some areas throughout the region. As a viable alternative, many utilize their pond for water into their home and barn. Pond water is filtrated through Pond Water Treatment Systems, approved by the Ohio Department of Health, and provide viable and safe water into the home.  

Tannins

Also seen in our area are Tannins. Tannins are a natural organic material caused by decaying vegetation and peaty soil. This can cause a faint yellow to tea-like color in your water and can lead to staining on fixtures and clothing when laundered.  

Municipal Water

Households and businesses who are in cities, towns and villages typically have municipal water that is treated and distributed by water treatment plants. Generally speaking, municipal water is safe to drink, bathe in and launder. However, many of our customers like having the piece of mind, and extra protection of having residential water treatment equipment installed that improves the quality and taste of their water.