Access to clean water is essential. However, even municipal water can pick up contaminants while reaching your home. Hard minerals, chlorine, bacteria, and even parasites can compromise water health.
With local water sources historically affected by PFAS (fluoropolymers) contamination, manganese in backup reservoirs, and legacy lead exposure, homeowners have concerns. Knowing what is in your water and which treatment system will best suit your specific needs is vital to safeguarding your home.
Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Newburgh, NY offers whole-home water filtration solutions. We can help determine your water treatment needs and offer installation, maintenance, and repairs.
Local Water Quality Issues in Newburgh
Newburgh has experienced multiple instances of water contamination over the years, prompting officials to take quick action to protect citizens. The city does everything possible to keep its water supply safe, though adding a whole-home water filter gives peace of mind in case of unexpected problems.
PFAS Contamination (Forever Chemicals)
PFAS issues occur in many municipalities. From 2014 to 2015, officials detected PFOS and PFOAs in Washington Lake, Newburgh’s primary drinking water source at the time. Officials declared a state of emergency with levels ranging from 150 to 170 ppt, well above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advisory.
In 2016, the city of Newburgh transitioned to Catskill Aqueduct and Brown’s Pond, both free of PFAS. The city continues to use these water sources as Washington Lake remains contaminated, and cleanup efforts at Stewart Base continue.
Manganese in Backup Sources
Chadwick Lake serves as a backup reservoir for the Newburgh area. Elevated manganese in the water turns it a brownish color. High manganese levels can be especially harmful to infants and young children. As a result, Newburgh’s Water Authority has begun relying more on the Delaware Aqueduct supply.
Historical Lead Exposure
The city had lead problems in the late 1990s to early 2000s. There were 103 cases of children with high lead levels. Restoration efforts reduced the lead, though aging plumbing infrastructure remains a concern.
Best Solutions for Newburgh’s Water Challenges
With the mix of PFAS, manganese, and potential lead issues, many homeowners in Newburgh seek whole-home water filtration. We can help you determine which water filtration system will give you the safest water supply for your family.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and PFAS Filtration
GAC filters or specialized resin systems can remove PFAS from water. They are proven effective in municipal setups and suitable for home-based versions.
They are highly effective when sized appropriately. Whole-home GAC cartridges work well to remove the threat of forever chemicals. As an added note, Newburgh’s treatment plant has used industrial-scale GACs since 2018.
A GAC system’s lifespan depends on cartridge/media use. These systems require frequent cartridge changes to remain effective. Professional sizing and monitoring are critical for PFAS removal to meet New York’s 10 ppt standard.
Water Softener With an Iron/Manganese Filter
Backup water sources like Chadwick Lake have manganese, and Newburgh’s connection to the Catskill Aqueduct does not address hard minerals. Hard water contains increased amounts of calcium and magnesium. These minerals can reduce your appliance lifespan, create plumbing problems, and leave a foul taste and odor in the water.
This setup removes dissolved manganese and hard minerals from your water before they enter your home. It helps prevent hard-scale buildup in pipes, protecting your plumbing system.
There are both salt and salt-free solutions. Media-based filters oxidize and filter manganese and iron.
Lead Removal Filters
Despite the city’s best efforts, old plumbing can still introduce lead into the water. Your water source could especially be at risk if lead service lines or lead-soldered joints exist.
Point-of-entry certified lead filters must be NSF 53 certified. It helps to add corrosion control additives like phosphate in professional-grade whole-home systems.
Sediment Pre-Filters
Sediment pre-filters protect downstream systems like GACs and water softeners. They reduce the risks of sediment clogs and can extend your system’s lifespan. Installing 5 µm sediment filters with a polypropylene cartridge is essential for the best protection.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis systems add a layer of protection and peace of mind. They are especially beneficial for removing fluoride, nitrates, and trace PFAS from your drinking water. Although there are whole-home reverse osmosis systems, many homeowners install kitchen versions for practicality and less water waste.
UV Disinfection for Wells
These are not usually required for municipal supplies but are critical if your home relies on a well for its water supply. This water treatment method uses UV light to kill or inactivate harmful bacteria and viruses that can impact water safety. It doesn’t use chemicals, providing a safe way to disinfect your well water supply.
Professional Guidance and Local Resources
If you have concerns about the quality of your water, we recommend getting it tested. A water test can reveal the contaminants in your water, allowing you to take the appropriate mitigation actions.
You can also contact Newburgh’s Water Department or the Orange County Health Department for annual water quality reports. These reports can help you understand any water quality issues in the area.
Our Newburgh-based water quality specialists understand the local water quality challenges. We can help you achieve healthier water for your family and home by creating a customized solution that may involve multiple filtration efforts.
Maintenance Considerations for Filtration Systems
Each water filtration system has specific maintenance needs. Professional maintenance ensures these systems continue to operate effectively and efficiently. Systems that receive ongoing maintenance are more likely to last their entire lifespans.
GAC Cartridges
These require cartridge changes according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. We recommend changing cartridges every 6 to 12 months, though based on PFAS loading, you may need more frequent changes.
Softener Regeneration
Salt models require regular salt refills, tank flushing, and cleaning. Salt-free systems will require cartridge changes according to the manufacturer’s suggestions.
Lead Filters
You should change the filter annually according to its certification for point-of-use models. Proper filter changes ensure ongoing protection.
Testing
Conducting post-installation testing is essential, mainly to ensure that PFAS levels are below 10 ppt and lead levels are below 15 ppb. Regular water testing ensures your filtration setup operates correctly to remove contaminants.
Professional Services
Neglecting your whole-home water filtration system can prevent it from protecting your family and home. Annual inspections, professional maintenance, and repairs help prevent performance issues that can degrade filtration effectiveness.
Do You Need a Whole-Home Water Filter?
Newburgh residents have concerns about water quality based on historical and ongoing issues. With documented PFAS, manganese, and lead problems, a tailored whole-home filtration system offers peace of mind.
A professional-grade multi-stage treatment setup offers protection from contaminants that can make your water less safe for consumption. It also protects your plumbing system and prevents problems due to hard minerals. With targeted contaminant removal and appliance protection, we can help you drink with confidence.
Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service plumbing provider in Newburgh that has proudly served our customers since 2019. We take great pride in our services, honesty, and transparency. We back our services with industry warranties and 100% satisfaction guarantees.
Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning offers installation, maintenance, and repairs for whole-home water filtration systems. We promise to provide you with the best service and value in Newburgh.
Contact our expert plumbers at Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an in-home assessment for water filtration in Newburgh. We have the water filtration solutions you need!
