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Serving the Greater Central VA Area
Serving the Greater Central VA Area
Water Problems
What's in your water, Richmond? Common problems we help fix.
Water Quality Concerns in Richmond
Water quality in Richmond varies by source, from treated James River water to private wells, but some concerns are common across the area. Hard water, disinfection byproducts and chloramine taste or odor can all affect how water tastes, looks and performs.
At Kinetico, our water experts can help pinpoint your water problems and find the best solution.
Hard Water
Hard water is a common issue in Richmond, where the city’s latest water report shows water at the moderately hard range. That means minerals like calcium and magnesium can leave spots on fixtures, make soap less effective, cause laundry stains and create scale buildup in plumbing and appliances over time.
Signs of Hard Water Include:
- White spots or mineral deposits on glassware, faucets and fixtures
- Dingy, faded clothing
- Soap and detergent that won’t lather properly
- Reduced efficiency and lifespan of appliances
With a free water test, our team will assess water hardness and other concerns, recommending the right solution for your property.
Chloramine Taste, Odor & Disinfection Byproducts
Richmond uses chloramines to disinfect municipal water, which can leave behind an unpleasant taste, odor and dry out skin. This same treatment process also can create disinfection byproducts, such as TTHMs and HAA5.
In some cases, these compounds have been detected at levels more than 200 times above health-based guidelines, despite falling within EPA legal limits.
Identify disinfection chemicals and their byproducts in your water with professional water testing from Kinetico. For removal, whole-home filtration and reverse osmosis purification offer proven solutions for targeting chemicals in water.
Lead and Older Plumbing
In Richmond, lead in water is usually linked to older pipes and plumbing materials, not the treatment plant itself. As water moves through older service lines, solder and fixtures, lead may enter tap water.
Because lead can’t be detected by taste or smell, look to professional water testing to see what’s in your water. Reduce lead at the tap with drinking water filtration certified for lead reduction or a reverse osmosis system.
PFAS Forever Chemicals
Forever chemicals — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — remain a growing concern in the Richmond area due to their persistence in water and links to serious health effects. In Central Virginia, regional testing has also identified PFAS in nearby watersheds and groundwater sites.
For PFAS and other hard-to-remove contaminants, reverse osmosis offers one of the strongest treatment solutions. The Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station® uses a patented multi-step reverse osmosis process certified to reduce PFOA, PFOS and a wide range of contaminants in drinking water.
Other Common Water Issues
Cloudy or Murky Water
Often caused by suspended particles or air bubbles.
Chlorine Taste or Smell
Common with municipal water; affects taste and dries out skin and hair.
Drinking Water Concerns
Bad taste, odor or suspicion of contaminants (such as unexplained illness).
Iron & Manganese Staining
Causes orange or brown staining on sinks, tubs and laundry.
Blue-Green Stains
Usually caused by low pH or copper corrosion.
Bacteria & Viruses
Invisible but potentially harmful, especially in well water.
Radon in Water
A less common but serious radioactive gas that can enter through groundwater.
Silica
Leaves difficult-to-remove film on glass and fixtures.
Emerging Contaminants
Includes PFAS, GenX and other "forever chemicals" not always usually by standard filters.
Not sure what’s affecting your water?
Request a free water test and get real answers from the water experts at Kinetico.