Best Water Treatment Installation Companies in New Jersey Ranked

Improving your home's water quality is a practical step toward better-tasting water, longer-lasting appliances, and greater peace of mind. In New Jersey, water quality can vary significantly, with common issues ranging from hard water and chlorine taste to more serious concerns like lead or PFAS contaminants. This guide explains the common water problems in the state, the types of treatment systems available, and how to find a qualified professional to assess your needs and install a customized solution.

Whitfield Plumbing & Drain

66 W Mt Pleasant Ave suite 527, Livingston, NJ 07039

Whitfield Plumbing & Drain is a plumbing service provider based in Newark, NJ. They offer water heater repair, water softener installation, and drain cleaning services. The company specializes in installing high-end fixtures from brands like Kohler, Rohl, and Waterworks, ensuring precise and manufacturer-compliant setups. They also provide preventative maintenance plans tailored to local homes, including drain conditioning and water heater tune-ups. Additionally, Whitfield Plumbing & Drain designs and installs whole-home water filtration and softening systems to address hard water issues common in the area.

5.0

24 Reviews

Toro Plumbing and Mechanical, LLC

591 Valley St, City of Orange, NJ 07050

Toro Plumbing and Mechanical, LLC is a plumbing and heating service provider based in Newark, NJ. They specialize in water heater installation and repair, steam heat troubleshooting, boiler replacement, and gas line installation. The company also handles water softener installation, sump pump repair, repiping, and oil to gas conversions. With decades of experience dating back to the 1970s, Toro Plumbing and Mechanical has expertise in servicing older homes and multi-unit buildings, particularly with radiator-based heating systems. They emphasize annual boiler maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency.

4.7

85 Reviews

Zachary Plumbing

newark

Zachary Plumbing is a plumbing service provider based in Newark, NJ. They offer a wide range of services including sewer camera inspections, water heater installation and repair, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, leak detection, and repiping for gas, water, and sewer lines. The company also handles gas line installation, garbage disposal repair, and various fixture installations and repairs. Their capabilities include sewer video inspection and hydro jetting to maintain clear and functional plumbing systems.

5.0

16 Reviews

Colombo Express Sewer & Drain

39 Rowland Ave, Clifton, NJ 07012

Colombo Express Sewer & Drain is a plumbing and heating service provider located in Newark, NJ. They offer a wide range of plumbing services including water heater installation for both tank and tankless models, sewer line inspection and repair, drain cleaning, leak detection, and pipe repiping. The company also provides specialty plumbing services such as backflow prevention and water filtration system installation. In addition to plumbing, Colombo Express Sewer & Drain handles residential heating services including furnace and boiler installation, radiant floor heating, and heat pump repair. Their capabilities include sewer camera inspections and comprehensive sewer line repairs.

4.8

21 Reviews

24/7 Emergency FlowMaster Sewer Experts

306 Tremont Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050

24/7 Emergency FlowMaster Sewer Experts is a locally owned plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company serving Newark, NJ. They provide a wide range of services including water heater repair and installation, sump pump repair, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, and gas line installation. Their hydro jetting service uses high-pressure water to clear tough clogs and clean pipes thoroughly. The company offers round-the-clock emergency services across North Jersey, ensuring help is available any time of day or night.

5.0

6 Reviews

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Common Water Quality Issues in New Jersey

Whether your water comes from a municipal supplier or a private well, it likely contains minerals or contaminants that affect its taste, appearance, and impact on your plumbing. A professional water test is the essential first step to diagnosing your specific situation ¹.

Hard Water This is one of the most widespread issues across the state ². Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which form scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances. This reduces efficiency, increases energy bills, and shortens appliance lifespans. You might notice soap that doesn't lather well, spots on dishes, and dry skin and hair after showering ³.

Disinfection Byproducts (Chlorine/Chloramine) Municipal water suppliers add chlorine or chloramine to disinfect water and make it safe to drink. While necessary, these chemicals can leave an unpleasant taste and odor reminiscent of a swimming pool. They can also dry out skin and hair and may react with organic matter to form byproducts ⁴.

Iron and Manganese These metals are common in well water throughout New Jersey. They cause rust-colored or black staining on sinks, tubs, toilets, and laundry. Water may also have a metallic taste and appear cloudy or reddish when first drawn ⁵.

Lead Lead is a significant health concern, particularly in homes built before 1986 that may have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures. Corrosive water can cause lead to leach from pipes and solder into your drinking water ⁶. This is a critical issue that requires immediate attention.

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS have been detected in numerous public water systems across New Jersey ⁷. These industrial chemicals are linked to various health risks and are a growing concern for homeowners.

Low pH (Acidic Water) Water with a low pH is corrosive and can slowly dissolve copper from pipes and lead from solder, introducing these metals into your water supply. You might see blue-green stains on fixtures, a sign of copper corrosion ⁸.

Microbiological Contaminants For private well owners, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms are a primary concern. Regular testing is crucial, as these contaminants can pose immediate health risks ⁹.

Types of Water Treatment Systems

The right system for your home depends entirely on your water test results. Often, a combination of technologies is used to address multiple issues.

Water Softeners A water softener is the standard solution for hard water. It uses an ion-exchange process, trading calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions. This eliminates scale, makes soap more effective, and protects appliances ¹⁰. Modern softeners are efficient and can be sized to match your household's water usage.

Whole-House Filtration Systems These systems treat all the water entering your home.

• Carbon Filters: Excellent for removing chlorine, chloramine, bad tastes, odors, and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ¹¹.
• Sediment Filters: Act as a pre-filter to remove sand, dirt, rust, and other particulates, protecting downstream appliances and treatment systems ¹².
• Acid Neutralizers: These systems raise the pH of corrosive, acidic water by passing it through a calcite media tank, helping to prevent pipe corrosion and metal leaching ¹³.
• Iron & Manganese Filters: Specialized oxidizing filters or air injection systems are designed to remove these staining metals effectively ⁸.

Point-of-Use Systems These treat water at a single tap, typically the kitchen sink.

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: An RO unit is one of the most effective point-of-use filters. It forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing a wide array of contaminants, including heavy metals (lead, arsenic), nitrates, fluoride, and PFAS ¹⁰. They are ideal for producing high-quality drinking and cooking water.

Disinfection Systems

• UV Purification Systems: Ultraviolet light safely and effectively neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms without adding chemicals. This is a common and recommended solution for well water ⁹.

The Professional Installation and Service Process

For safety, performance, and warranty purposes, water treatment systems should be installed by a licensed plumbing professional ¹⁴. Here's what a typical process looks like:

1. Comprehensive Water Testing: A professional will take a water sample, often testing for a broad panel of contaminants specific to New Jersey's common issues. This data is the blueprint for your system design.
2. System Recommendation and Sizing: Based on the test results, your water usage (number of bathrooms, occupants), and home's plumbing, the professional will recommend a specific system or combination. Proper sizing is critical for efficiency and effectiveness ¹⁵.
3. Professional Installation: A licensed plumber will install point-of-entry (whole-house) systems on the main water line, ensuring all water is treated. Point-of-use systems, like RO units, are installed under the kitchen sink. Proper installation includes bypass valves, correct drainage, and adherence to local plumbing codes ¹⁶.
4. Post-Installation Water Test: After installation, a follow-up test can confirm the system is working correctly and your water quality goals have been met.

Ongoing Maintenance and Costs

All water treatment systems require regular maintenance to function properly. Neglecting maintenance can lead to system failure and contaminated water.

Maintenance Tasks:

• Water Softeners: Require periodic replenishment of salt (or potassium chloride) pellets. The resin bed may also need occasional cleaning ¹⁷.
• Filters (Sediment & Carbon): Must be replaced according to the manufacturer's schedule, typically every 6 to 12 months, depending on water quality and usage ¹⁸.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems: Have multiple filter stages (pre-filters, post-filter, membrane) that need replacement on a set schedule, often every 6-12 months for pre-filters and 2-3 years for the membrane ¹¹.
• UV Systems: The UV lamp must be replaced annually, as its germicidal effectiveness diminishes over time even if the light is still on ¹⁹.
• Annual Well Testing: Private well owners should test their water for bacteria and nitrates at least annually, and for a broader contaminant panel every 3-5 years ²⁰.

Cost Overview: System costs in New Jersey vary based on technology, capacity, brand, and installation complexity ²¹. Here is a general range for professionally installed systems:

• Basic Whole-House Carbon Filter: $600 - $1,100 ²²
• Sediment & Carbon Combination System: $900 - $1,700 ²²
• Water Softener: Unit costs range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars; total installed costs are often comparable to whole-house filters ²³.
• Whole-House Reverse Osmosis System: $2,300 - $4,200 ²¹
• Multi-Stage Well Water System with UV: $2,800 - $5,500+ ²¹

Investing in a water treatment system is an investment in your home's plumbing, your appliances' longevity, and your family's health. By starting with a professional water analysis and working with a qualified installer, you can ensure you get a system that effectively addresses your New Jersey home's specific water challenges.

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