Best Water Treatment Installation Companies in Illinois Ranked

Clean, safe, and pleasant-tasting water is a cornerstone of a healthy home. For many Illinois residents, achieving this requires addressing common water quality issues like hard water, iron, nitrates, or potential lead contamination. Water softeners and filtration systems are the practical solutions designed to remove these unwanted elements, protecting your plumbing, improving your daily life, and safeguarding your family's health. This guide will help you understand the specific water challenges in Illinois, the types of treatment systems available, and how to find the right local professional to assess your needs and install an effective solution.

Excellent Plumbing

785 Oakwood Rd Suite E101, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Excellent Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Chicago, IL, and the northern Chicagoland suburbs since 2006. They offer a wide range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, leak detection, and water softener installation. Their team is equipped to handle specialized plumbing tasks such as high-pressure hydro jetting and comprehensive boiler and radiator services. With over 17 years of experience, Excellent Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency service and same-day appointments to address urgent plumbing needs promptly.

5.0

511 Reviews

Legendary Service

960 Rand Rd Suite 200F, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Legendary Service is a plumbing and home comfort provider serving Chicago, IL. They offer a range of services including water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, repiping, toilet repair, and garbage disposal repair. With over 40 years of combined experience, their licensed team handles plumbing and HVAC needs with thoroughness and professionalism. They also provide indoor air quality solutions and maintenance plans to support ongoing home system care.

5.0

278 Reviews

The All Pipes INC.

255 Holly Ln, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

The All Pipes INC. is a licensed and insured plumbing company serving Chicago, IL. They provide a wide range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, trenchless sewer repair, sump pump installation, leak detection, and hydro jetting for drain cleaning. The company offers both residential and commercial plumbing solutions and specializes in tankless water heater installations to help reduce energy costs. Founded by Grigor Ganchev, who has built his career in plumbing over many years, The All Pipes INC. emphasizes integrity and clear communication with clients to maintain lasting relationships.

5.0

210 Reviews

Rescue Plumbing

1137 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Rescue Plumbing is a licensed plumbing service provider based in Chicago, IL, offering a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Their services include sewer camera inspections, water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line repair, leak detection, and toilet repair. Equipped with professional-grade tools, they provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent issues such as burst pipes and clogged drains. With over 150 years of combined team experience, Rescue Plumbing serves Chicago and surrounding suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, Deerfield, and Oak Park.

4.9

1.5k Reviews

Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer, Inc.

4352 N Kenneth Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer, Inc. provides a wide range of residential plumbing services in Chicago, IL. Their offerings include sewer camera inspections, water heater repair and installation (both tanked and tankless), water softener installation, sump pump repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, gas line installation, toilet and garbage disposal repair, and custom plumbing solutions. They use advanced plumbing camera technology for thorough video inspections and have expertise in handling multiunit plumbing projects. Vanguard is known for clear pricing and licensed, insured plumbers. While primarily serving residential customers, they occasionally assist local businesses. Their service area covers Chicago and its northern suburbs.

4.9

367 Reviews

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Common Water Quality Issues in Illinois

Water quality across the Prairie State varies significantly, from the hard water common in many municipalities to the specific well water challenges in rural areas. The only way to know exactly what's in your water is through professional testing ¹. However, several contaminants are frequently encountered by Illinois homeowners.

• Hard Water: High levels of calcium and magnesium are extremely common ². This leads to the buildup of white, crusty limescale on faucets, showerheads, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. It can also leave skin feeling dry and hair brittle.
• Iron and Sulfur: Often found in private well water, iron causes reddish-brown stains on sinks, tubs, and laundry. Sulfur produces a distinct "rotten egg" odor that can make water unpleasant to use ³.
• Nitrates: A prevalent concern in agricultural regions, nitrates can seep into groundwater from fertilizer runoff and septic systems. They pose a particular health risk for infants ⁴.
• Bacteria and Microorganisms: The presence of coliform bacteria in a private well can indicate surface water contamination and the potential for harmful pathogens, requiring immediate treatment ⁵.
• Lead: This serious health risk primarily comes from the corrosion of older lead pipes, solder, or fixtures, which can leach lead into the drinking water, especially in homes built before 1986 ².
• Pesticides and VOCs: In farming communities, herbicides and pesticides can contaminate groundwater sources over time ⁶.
• PFAS: Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS are an emerging concern and have been detected in some community water systems in Illinois ⁷.

Types of Water Treatment Systems

No single system addresses all contaminants. A customized approach that combines different technologies often provides the most comprehensive solution for your home's specific water profile ^{8 9}.

Water Softeners

These systems are specifically designed to combat hard water. The most common type uses an ion-exchange process, where calcium and magnesium ions are swapped for sodium or potassium ions, effectively "softening" the water. Salt-free conditioning systems are also an option, which alter the minerals to prevent scaling without removing them ^{10 11}.

Whole-House Filtration Systems

Installed at the point where water enters your home, these systems treat all the water used throughout the house. They typically use activated carbon filters to remove chlorine, sediment, bad tastes, and odors. More advanced whole-house systems can include multiple stages to tackle a broader range of issues ^{12 13}.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

These are typically point-of-use systems installed under the kitchen sink to provide highly purified water for drinking and cooking. RO systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing a wide array of contaminants, including lead, nitrates, arsenic, and PFAS ^{14 15}.

Specialized Treatment Systems

For targeted problems, other systems are available. These include iron filters to remove high iron content, UV purifiers to disinfect and kill bacteria and viruses, and chemical injection systems to treat persistent issues like high sulfur ¹².

The Professional Installation Process

Professional installation is highly recommended to ensure your system functions correctly, complies with local plumbing codes, and integrates seamlessly with your home's existing plumbing ^{16 17}.

1. Water Testing: The essential first step is a professional water test. This identifies the specific contaminants and their concentration levels, forming the basis for all recommendations. The Illinois EPA and local health departments offer guidance on testing protocols ^{8 5}.
2. System Selection: Based on the test results, your water usage, and household needs, a qualified professional will help you select the right type and size of system-whether it's a whole-house solution, a point-of-use system, or a combination ¹⁸.
3. Permitting and Preparation: In some Illinois municipalities, a permit may be required for installation. Your installer will handle this and prepare the installation site, which may involve making modifications to your plumbing ¹⁹.
4. Installation and Testing: The system is professionally plumbed into your water line. Once installed, the technician will test it thoroughly to ensure it is operating effectively and that your water quality meets the desired standards ²⁰.

Maintenance and Ongoing Costs

Like any home appliance, water treatment systems require regular maintenance to perform optimally. The schedule and costs depend on the system type.

• Water Softeners: Salt-based softeners require periodic refilling of the brine tank with salt or potassium chloride pellets, typically every few months depending on usage and water hardness ^{10 21}.
• Filtration Systems: Cartridge filters in whole-house or point-of-use systems must be replaced on a regular schedule-often quarterly, annually, or every few years ²².
• Reverse Osmosis Systems: These involve replacing pre-filters, post-filters, and the RO membrane on specific timelines outlined by the manufacturer ¹⁵.
• Annual Checkups: Scheduling an annual professional inspection can help catch minor issues early, ensure settings are correct, and extend the lifespan of your system, which can often last 10-15 years with proper care ¹⁸.

Understanding System Costs

The total cost for a water treatment solution includes both the equipment and professional installation labor. Prices are estimates and can vary widely based on system capacity, technology, brand, and the complexity of the installation in your home ^{23 24}.

• Water Softeners: A typical salt-based water softener system, including installation, generally ranges from $800 to $4,000, with high-capacity or advanced models costing more ^{24 25}.
• Whole-House Filtration Systems: The average cost for a standard whole-house filter system installed is between $1,000 and $3,000. Multi-stage systems with advanced components like UV lights or specialized media can range up to $5,800 or more ^{23 26}.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems: A professionally installed under-sink RO system typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000 ^{21 26}.
• Ongoing Maintenance Costs: Homeowners should budget for consumables like softening salt (approximately $5-$10 per 40-pound bag) and replacement filter kits, which can average $50-$400 per year depending on the system ^{21 23}.

Frequently asked questions

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