Common Michigan Water Contaminants & Treatment Solutions

Michigan, known as the Great Lakes State, is surrounded by 20% of the world’s surface freshwater. Despite this abundance, Michigan residents face unique and serious water quality challenges that require quick attention and proper treatment.

Each drinking water supply is different and can be subject to contamination from various sources. Access to good, quality drinking water is essential for your well-being and daily life. That’s why at Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we offer professional water testing to check for Michigan water contamination. Our experts also provide reliable water treatment services to help protect the quality of your drinking water.

Continue reading to learn about common Michigan water quality issues, from municipal concerns like lead and hard water to well water problems and solutions. At Reynolds, we’ve been helping Michigan residents achieve better, cleaner water since 1931.

Michigan Water Pollution: Biggest Threats

The risk of ground and surface water contamination is exceptionally high. Over 7 million Americans are affected each year by waterborne diseases. In Michigan, water problems like hard minerals and high iron levels are common, as are more harmful pollutants such as PFAS and lead.

Key Water Contamination Concerns & Sources:

  • Michigan has a widespread PFAS contamination issue, with up to 3.2 million residents potentially getting their water from PFAS-tainted aquifers.
  • The Flint water crisis, which began in 2014, shows the significant impact of lead in drinking water from aging infrastructure.
  • There are thousands of solid waste disposal facilities across the United States. At each, various contaminants from waste have the potential to threaten groundwater supplies.
  • Underground storage tanks (USTs) in the United States can leak petroleum, which can contaminate groundwater. About 535,000 active USTs are currently operating in the country. Groundwater contaminated with gasoline, diesel, and waste oils can contain toxic compounds that pose health risks if consumed or exposed to over time.
  • A substantial number of pesticides and herbicides find their way into groundwater from agricultural practices. The extent and concentrations vary by region and type of chemical.
  • Chlorine, used in municipal water supplies to protect against microbiological contamination, can form by-products called trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs are suspected carcinogens.
  • Arsenic is present in Michigan groundwater, which is linked to health issues. You cannot see or taste arsenic in water, and the only way to identify it is with lab testing.
  • Nitrates are invisible in water and are a common groundwater contaminant. Sources can include fertilizer runoff, animal waste from agricultural operations, landfills, urban drainage, and more. Nitrates in drinking water pose health risks, especially to infants and pregnant women.

These are some common water contaminants in drinking water in Michigan and throughout the U.S. However, the full list of contamination sources is almost endless. To protect your water supply against these and other issues, contact our team. At Reynolds, we’ll start with a water test to find out what’s in your water and the best way to treat it.

Correcting Michigan Water Issues

Despite the unique challenges facing Michigan residents, almost any water problem can be corrected through proper treatment. We offer advanced systems that are designed specifically for local water contamination.

Common Water Problems & Solutions

PFAS

LEAD

ARSENIC

NITRATES

GAS/OIL SMELL OR TASTE

  • Activated carbon filtration

HARD WATER

IRON AND MANGANESE

ACIDIC WATER

  • Neutralizing systems like soda ash feed systems

BACTERIA

FISHY/MUSTY ODORS

  • Activated carbon filtration
  • Chlorine treatment followed by carbon filtration
  • Speciality filtration, like our ClearStream filters

ROTTEN EGG SMELL

  • Activated carbon filtration
  • Aeration systems
  • Chlorination (chemical oxidation)

SEDIMENT & TURBIDITY

DISCOLORED WATER

  • Sediment and carbon filtration
  • Iron and manganese removal systems
  • Multi-stage filtration systems
  • Reverse osmosis for comprehensive treatment

CHLORINE:

THMs (Trihalomethanes)

PESTICIDES/CHEMICALS

  • Reverse osmosis (RO)
  • Activated carbon filtration
  • Multi-stage filtration combining carbon and membrane technologies

FLUORIDE

MICROPLASTICS

  • Reverse osmosis (RO) and other membrane-based water filtration technologies
  • Multi-stage filtration combining Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration and ion exchange

HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

Contact Us for Michigan Water Quality Services

Michigan’s water challenges are serious but solvable. Whether you’re dealing with simple issues like hard water and heavy metals, or nitrates and hexavalent chromium in water, proper testing and treatment can provide quality drinking water for you and your family.

Now is the time to take action to protect your water supply through proper testing, treatment, and ongoing monitoring. Contact Reynolds Water Conditioning Company to schedule a free water analysis. As founding members of the Water Quality Association (WQA), Michigan Water Quality Association, and certified water quality specialists, you can depend on our team. We use state-of-the-art treatment technology to address the unique water challenges facing Michigan residents.

Get A Free Estimate