How To Know If Your Drinking Water Is Safe

woman holding a glass of water

You turn on the faucet expecting clean, refreshing water, only to notice an unusual taste, odor, or color. Moments like this make many homeowners question whether their drinking water is truly safe.

​At Robinson Plumbing, we offer expert plumbing and water conditioning services in Lehigh Valley. Our team ensures your plumbing supports safe water for drinking, bathing, and laundry, while guiding you toward the best whole house water filtration system for your needs.

​This article explains how to determine if your drinking water is safe, highlights warning signs related to plumbing and water systems, and demonstrates how professional water-conditioning services can protect your home’s water supply.

Pure, Clean Water Starts Here! Trust our team to enhance your home’s water quality with expert filtration and conditioning services. Contact us today!

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Understanding What Makes Drinking Water Safe in Lehigh Valley

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Safe drinking water is free from harmful contaminants, maintains a balanced mineral profile, and meets all local and federal quality standards. Learning what affects water quality gives you a strong foundation for identifying issues early.

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Signs Your Lehigh Valley Drinking Water May Not Be Safe

two glasses of water one with clear one with brownish water in the kitchen

Changes in taste, clarity, or appearance often indicate plumbing issues or water-quality concerns that require attention before they become more severe.​

  • Strange Taste or Odor: Metallic, chemical, or sulfur-like smells often indicate pipe corrosion, lingering disinfectant by-products, or contamination entering your plumbing system. These changes can be early indicators of deteriorating water quality.
  • Cloudy or Discoloured Water: Brown, yellow, or cloudy water may result from rust, sediment, or organic matter inside pipes or supply lines. Sudden discoloration often occurs after plumbing disturbances, main breaks, or mineral buildup releasing into the water.
  • Stains on Fixtures: Orange stains usually signal iron, while blue or green stains often point to copper corrosion or acidic water wearing down plumbing components. These marks show that metals from your pipes are entering your water.
  • Sediment or Film: Visible particles, grit, or a slimy film in sinks or appliances may be caused by mineral deposits, pipe scale, or microbial growth within the plumbing system. These issues affect both water safety and appliance performance.

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Testing Your Drinking Water

Testing your drinking water is an essential step in confirming its safety and understanding how well your plumbing and filtration systems are performing. At-home test kits provide quick insights into basic concerns such as chlorine levels, hardness, or the presence of bacteria, although they cannot identify more complex contaminants.

​Professional laboratory testing delivers a far more detailed analysis, detecting heavy metals, chemicals, microbial contaminants, and other pollutants that at-home kits may miss.

​Testing should be scheduled if you rely on a private well, live in an older home with aging plumbing, notice changes in taste, smell or color, or have not serviced your filtration or purification system in some time.

Lehigh Valley Plumbing Issues That Affect Water Safety

busted rusty pipes

Plumbing problems inside the home can directly influence the quality and safety of your drinking water, even when the municipal supply is treated correctly. ​

  • Pipe Corrosion: Lead, copper, or galvanized pipes can degrade over time, releasing metals into your water.
  • Biofilm Buildup: Slow or inconsistent water flow can lead to microbial growth inside pipes, affecting taste and safety.
  • Scale and Sediment Accumulation: Minerals, rust, and debris can collect in plumbing and filters, causing cloudy water and clogged fixtures.
  • Aging or Poorly Maintained Filtration Systems: Worn or overdue filters lose effectiveness, allowing contaminants to pass through.

Protect Your Family’s Water Supply! Let our specialists repair and maintain your home’s plumbing for year-round safety. Call now!

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How To Protect Your Drinking Water

under sink water filter system

Safeguarding your home’s water quality requires a combination of proper filtration, routine maintenance, and attention to the condition of your plumbing system.​

  • Install or Upgrade Filtration: A whole-home filtration or purification system treats all incoming water before it moves through your plumbing, reducing contaminants, improving taste, and protecting fixtures and appliances from scale and sediment.
  • Maintain Plumbing and Treatment Systems: Routine service for pipes, filters, and purification units helps prevent corrosion, buildup, and microbial growth. Regular maintenance makes sure that your systems continue to remove contaminants effectively.
  • Replace Old or Corroded Pipes: Aging plumbing made from lead, copper, or galvanized materials can leach metals into your drinking water. Upgrading problem lines and fixtures reduces contamination risks and improves overall water quality.
  • Protect Wells and Pressure Tanks: Homeowners with wells should regularly inspect the well cap, casing, pump, and pressure tank to ensure they are sealed, clean, and functioning properly. These checks prevent surface runoff, debris, or bacteria from entering the water supply.

Better Water, Better Living! Enjoy healthier water at every tap with trusted plumbing and filtration services. Book your appointment today!

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Benefits of Home Filtration and Purification Systems in Lehigh Valley

BENEFITS spelled using wooden letter chips depicting Home Filtration and Purification Systems

Home filtration and purification systems improve water quality by removing chlorine, sediment, metals, odours, and chemical impurities before they enter your plumbing. By treating water at the entry point, these systems provide whole-home protection, delivering cleaner water to every tap and appliance throughout the home. ​

They also protect plumbing by reducing scale buildup and corrosion while improving taste, clarity, and overall comfort. Cleaner water supports healthier drinking, bathing, and cleaning throughout the home. To maintain consistent performance, these systems require regular filter changes and routine maintenance.​

Reliable Water Filtration Starts With Us! Keep your plumbing protected and your water safe with expert installation and maintenance. Call for service now!

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What To Do If Your Water Is Unsafe

woman shrugging depicting What To Do If Your Water Is Unsafe

If testing or visible changes suggest your water may be contaminated, taking prompt action protects your household’s health and prevents further plumbing issues.​

  • Use Bottled or Boiled Water: Switch to bottled or properly boiled water for drinking, cooking, and oral hygiene until your water is confirmed to be safe to use. This prevents exposure to harmful contaminants while the issue is being addressed.
  • Schedule a Professional Evaluation: A licensed plumber can investigate whether the problem comes from your plumbing, well, filtration system, or the incoming water supply. This evaluation includes water testing, inspection of pipes and fixtures, and checking the condition and performance of your filtration or purification equipment.
  • Repair or Upgrade Your System: Depending on the findings, your plumber may recommend solutions such as installing or upgrading a filtration system, replacing corroded or damaged pipes, restoring well components, or adding a purification unit to eliminate harmful contaminants and restore safe water throughout your home.

Say Goodbye to Water Quality Problems! Our technicians deliver fast, effective solutions to restore clean, safe water. Contact us right away!

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Best Whole-House Water Filtration System FAQs

man's hand holding a question mark on wooden chip depicting Best Whole-House Water Filtration System FAQs

Why Is Only One Faucet Showing Poor Water Quality?

If only one fixture is affected, the issue often lies in the faucet’s aerator, local piping, or internal plumbing leading specifically to that fixture. Hard-water scale, corrosion, or debris may also be trapped in that portion of the system. Cleaning, replacing the aerator, or inspecting that line resolves this in most cases.

Can My Water Heater Affect My Drinking Water?

Yes. Sediment buildup, corrosion, or bacteria inside the water heater can cause discoloured or foul-smelling hot water. If only the hot side has issues, your heater may need flushing, maintenance, or replacement. Water-conditioning systems help reduce sediment and extend the lifespan of your heater.

How Often Should I Test My Drinking Water?

Annual testing is recommended for municipal water users and essential for well-water households. Testing should also be done after plumbing repairs, pipe replacements, or major changes in water quality, or if stains, odors, or cloudiness appear. Regular testing helps verify that your plumbing and filtration systems are functioning correctly.

Your Home Deserves Cleaner Water! Upgrade your system with professional treatment options designed for long-term performance. Get in touch today!

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Can Plumbing Problems Make My Water Unsafe Even If My City Water Is Treated?

Yes. Corroded pipes, failing joints, aging fixtures, or neglected filters can introduce contaminants after the water enters your home. Even high-quality municipal water can be affected by internal plumbing issues, which is why maintenance and inspections are important.

Do Stains on My Fixtures Mean My Water Is Unsafe?

Stains are often the result of minerals or metals such as iron or copper, indicating hard water, corrosion, or deteriorating pipes. While not always harmful, these issues signal underlying problems that can worsen over time. Water-conditioning systems help eliminate staining and protect your plumbing.

Conclusion

Safe drinking water depends on clean plumbing, proper filtration, and timely testing. Paying attention to changes in taste, color, or smell helps you address issues before they become serious.

​If you suspect problems with your water quality, contact Robinson Plumbing for professional testing, detailed plumbing inspections, and reliable water-conditioning solutions that keep your home’s water clean, safe, and dependable.​

Improve Every Drop With Professional Care! From testing to purification, our team ensures your water stays clean and dependable. Schedule your visit today!

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Contact Robinson Plumbing for Trusted Plumbing Solutions in Lehigh Valley

For dependable plumbing services in Lehigh Valley, turn to Robinson Plumbing. We handle pipe and toilet repairs, sump pump installations, water heater replacements, leak detection and a full range of plumbing needs. We also specialize in water filtration services that enhance taste, clarity and overall water quality.

​Every service is tailored to your home, budget and schedule, and our same-day plumbing assistance ensures urgent issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. Homeowners throughout Lehigh Valley rely on us for expert workmanship, certified technicians and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

​Reach out today to schedule your consultation and see how our team can deliver the reliable plumbing and water-quality solutions you deserve. Facing a plumbing issue or concerned about your water? Contact Robinson Plumbing now and let our professionals restore your home’s comfort, safety and clean water.

Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have! Click the link to view our service area.

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