Water Treatment FAQs

Water quality issues pose several threats that range from staining on faucets, fixtures, and other water using appliances to very serious health concerns caused from chemical contamination.  Water quality problems will even increase the cost of using water in your home or business.

What’s really concerning?  You may not even know you have a water quality problem as the contaminants can be totally invisible, tasteless and odorless.

No matter what water problems you face, Kinetico Advanced Water Systems offers the most effective, efficient, and economical water treatment solutions on the market while also providing industry leading water testing to determine what, if any, issues need to be addressed.

Consultations begin at 15 minutes and increase from there depending on the complexity of the issues being addressed.  Appointments begin with a conversation about your water quality concerns and the goals you want to achieve. Our Water Quality Consultant then conducts a plumbing audit of your current plumbing system, determines where your new water treatment system will be installed and then performs a thorough water quality analysis to determine what contaminants are in your water.

If issues are present, a review of your treatment options will be discussed and a detailed electronic proposal will be prepared and reviewed. At least three solutions will be discussed at varying price points to accommodate your budget.

Unlike well water that comes from groundwater, municipal water often comes from surface water sources that are left exposed to the elements where man-made chemical contaminants can infiltrate and contaminate the supply.

Additionally, the municipality introduces disinfection chemicals that can interact with organic material in the water to create disinfection byproducts that may be harmful to your health. Many consumers are surprised to learn what’s in their city water. Contact us today for your water analysis.

Water treatment systems require ongoing service and maintenance to keep them in an optimal operational state. Filters, salt and other types of media will need to be cleaned, replenished or replaced as contaminants are removed from your water supply. Fortunately, Kinetico systems are designed to be the most efficient and economical systems in the world so they monitor water usage, not time, to determine when service is required.

Kinetico systems are built to last a lifetime so there is no planned obsolescence and no replacement costs to worry about. Other off-brand systems base maintenance on time (not usage) which leads to excessive, unnecessary and expensive servicing costs on equipment that will ultimately need to be replaced. Invest with confidence when you invest with Kinetico!

Water treatment systems are notorious for making noise while in operation, but not all systems are created equal. With Kinetico, almost all of our systems are non-electric and operate merely on kinetic energy. By not employing electric pumps, you can enjoy the highest quality water while utilizing one of the quietest water treatment systems in the industry.

If noise is still a major concern, please discuss this with our Water Quality Consultant who will take this into account while conducting your onsite plumbing inspection, locating the best installation location for you.

The most ideal place to install your water treatment equipment is at your water’s point of entry into your home. For most customers, this is near your water heater however we install systems based your specific needs and concerns. Serviceability, sound and available space are a few of the considerations taken into account when deciding where to install your new system. All of this is reviewed with your Water Quality Consultant during the plumbing audit.  Whatever your needs, we have you covered.

Each water problem requires its own type of treatment to effectively remove contaminants. At Kinetico, we refer to these as the 4+ essentials of water treatment:

• Filtration – Designed to filter sediment and chemical contaminants, including chlorine, chloramine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), THMs, PFAS and GenX.
• Ion Exchange – Gets rid of dissolved minerals and metals harmful to health, from excess iron and copper to nitrates, radium and uranium.
• Purification – Ensures the purest water from every tap, removing 99% of PFAS, VOCs, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.
• Sanitization – Ultraviolet sanitization mitigates bacterial and viral contamination from E. coli, cryptosporidium and total coliform.
• Specialty Systems – The “+” in “the 4+ essentials of water treatment”, these systems target more complex contaminants, impurities and unique water problems.

Discover which pollutants are in your tap water with a free water test, the first step to getting clean water in the whole home.

We believe everyone deserves a clear, understandable and stress-free journey to better water. At Kinetico Advanced Water Systems, we help you identify and fix all of your water issues through custom analysis and treatment.

Each home’s water problems are unique — don’t settle for out-of-the-box answers when it comes to your family’s health and wellbeing.

• Customer-first approach – Expect no aggressive sales tactics and world-class customer service from our team. Enjoy a free water analysis, 3+ custom solutions based on your priorities, free post-sales appointment and flexible maintenance.
• State-of-the-art equipment – We pioneered the industry’s first and only non-electric water treatment solution, manufactured here in the U.S. Our innovative water systems are more effective, energy efficient and eco-friendly than anything else on the market.
• Family owned and operated – Serving the NC Triangle for 35+ years, we’re locally owned and operated to this day, spanning four states, 10 divisions and over 100 employees.
• Industry-leading warranty – No fine print or hidden fees. Just the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
• Backed by science – All of our operations are scientifically driven and backed by our Ph.D. geologist and chemist, Dr. Gene, who serves as our Vice President.

One of our professionally trained Water Quality Consultants will use state-of-the-art water testing equipment to provide the most comprehensive, in-person water testing analysis in the industry. This focus on testing and equipment enables us to provide the best possible solutions to rectify even the most severe water quality issues, providing you with peace of mind in the process. Tests include hardness, pH, iron, manganese, sediment and more.

Another great advantage to working with Kinetico Advanced Water Systems is the post-installation service options available to maintain and service your new equipment. We consider ourselves your long-term partner so our job isn’t over after installation, it’s just the beginning. We offer a free post-installation appointment to confirm your system is working properly, ensure you’re happy with your purchase and answer any remaining questions. If you need maintenance at any time, we offer both self-service to full-service options, including ongoing and as-needed maintenance.

Kinetico pioneered the industry’s first and only non-electric, fully automatic water treatment solution. They’re manufactured right here in the USA, and backed by our industry-leading warranty. Our systems are reliable, durable and energy efficient, thanks to their non-electric operation.

Whether you need a water filtration system, water softener, water purification or even a sanitization system, we have a solution for the unique needs of your home.

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems offers residential, commercial and industrial water treatment solutions and holds government and military contract authorizations. We can accommodate small commercial systems, large industrial processes and have experience with long-term remediation contracts with systems protecting tens of thousands of sites. Our Commercial Division can provide analytical services, cooling tower cleanings and disinfections, system volumetric studies, project support, full system design, as well as water treatment training and education.

Our commercial water treatment systems are more energy efficient, effective and economical than other options on the market. Cleaner water allows you to provide a better experience for your customers and clients, all while saving money. And with our custom solutions, as well as specialty systems, we have the perfect system for your organization’s unique needs.

The average consumer spends $800 per year on bottled water. At this rate of expense, a Kinetico customer can utilize money usually spent on bottled water to purchase a Kinetico drinking water purification system and have the system pay for itself within 18-36 months of purchase.

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems looks at the unique needs and goals of each customer to provide a range of solutions at varying price points to fully resolve your water quality issues while also staying within your budget. Additionally, Kinetico systems are designed to last a lifetime while also reducing the total cost of ownership over the life of your system. By being the most efficient and effective treatment systems in the industry, Kinetico systems dramatically reduce the monthly costs of operation, making them the most economical systems as well.

No matter your needs or what you want to achieve, we will work with you to provide the best solution at the best possible price.  Contact us today to learn more.

Our water treatment systems can be installed inside or outside, with all available options being reviewed during your in-person water quality consultation. Whether you’re on a crawl space, slab or basement, we will provide an installation solution that suits your needs so you can start enjoying the best water possible — TODAY.

A professionally installed water filtration system will not reduce water pressure, and some models may even increase it. Systems that are poorly installed or do not match your home’s existing plumbing may cause a drop in water pressure. This is one of the reasons professional installation is critical when choosing a water treatment solution.

The frequency you need to change your water filters depends on the amount of water you use and the concentration of minerals and impurities in your water. On average, Kinetico customers typically change their filters 1-6 times per year but if changing filters is a concern, we also offer filterless, automatic backwashing systems that will completely eliminate the need for cartridge filter replacements.

Customers often assume a water filter in their refrigerator is sufficient for their drinking water needs, but most refrigerator filters are carbon-based filters designed to remove disinfection chemicals like chlorine, not other common water contaminants like sediment, hardness minerals, emerging contaminants and others that come with their own host of issues.

A drinking water purification system from Kinetico is the best way to remove up to 99% of contaminants in your drinking and cooking water and provide you with pure, delicious water.

Kinetico Advanced Water Systems employs both licensed and certified Service Technicians that are professionally trained to install, service, and maintain Kinetico water treatment systems. By utilizing a skilled and trained staff that works only in water treatment, we ensure that the system you purchase is installed correctly and performs as it should. It is the safest and surest way to provide the peace of mind that you’re using the best water possible.

Reverse osmosis is the most effective and economical way to purify water residentially. Kinetico purification systems utilize reverse osmosis and advanced membrane technology to effectively and efficiently remove metals and minerals including silica, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, emerging contaminants and other pollutants often left behind by less effective filtration options.

Hard water refers to water containing certain dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Whether your water comes from surface reservoirs or ground-water wells, the chances are it contains hardness minerals. This is because of the nature of water itself. Water is often called the “universal solvent” because of its ability to dissolve just about anything, even if only to a small degree. The United States Geological Survey estimates that 85% of all homes in the United States suffer from hard water.

Customers often ask, “Can hard water make me sick?”.  Hard water isn’t dangerous, and while it does have excess minerals that might make the taste unpleasant or create a foul smell, it’s generally safe to drink. Just because it’s not harming your health by drinking it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have negative effects on the rest of your body.  Hard water deprives your hair and skin of moisture that can lead to serious consequences of dryness, cracking and split ends, to name a few.

Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Hard water can appear discolored or cloudy but will oftentimes have no telltale signs of contamination at all. Water spots on your dishes, staining around drains, mineral stains on clothes as well as dry skin and hair are all examples of issues caused by hard water. If any of these sound familiar, a water quality test is the best way to determine the hardness of your water.

Drinking water has become one of the most important considerations people have these days. Although tap water is verified “safe” by state and local authorities, it also contains chlorine and many other contaminants, such as hard water minerals, heavy metals and PFAS forever chemicals that can negatively impact your health and home appliances. The best method of ensuring high purity, good tasting drinking and cooking water in the home is by using a process known as Reverse Osmosis (RO).

The pH of water is a common property of all natural water supplies. pH refers to a measure of the acidity of the water, with the scale ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7.0 is considered to be neutral, below 7.0 is “acidic” and above 7.0 is called “basic”, or alkaline.

To prevent health issues, corrosion of plumbing systems and premature plumbing failure, the EPA recommends that potable drinking water supplies have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Water outside of this range is considered unsafe to drink, especially when acidic. Drinking acidic water can lead to serious health problems including poisoning, due to the presence of heavy metals. Signs of acidic water include a bitter or sour taste and blue-green fixture staining.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas found in many groundwater supplies in North Carolina. A byproduct of uranium decay, radon and elements such as radium and lead give off harmful radiation.

Radon is one of the leading environmental causes of cancer mortality in the U.S., responsible for 21,000 deaths per year according to the EPA. The main pathways of radon into the body are inhalation and then ingestion (via contaminated water). Exposure of radon from water is most pronounced in the shower, where the water is aerated and the radon can escape.

Radon is virtually impossible to detect in water by smell or taste. Dizziness, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue and cough are all signs of radon exposure. If you suspect your water has radon, getting a laboratory-grade water test is crucial to properly address and treat contamination.

Chlorine is the most commonly used chemical for disinfection of municipal and community water supplies in the U.S., which is required by Federal EPA regulations. Although chlorine for disinfection has yielded incredible reductions in the risks associated with water-borne bacteria and disease, it is not without its own set of problems.

These risks include: skin and eye irritation, brittle or bleached hair, respiratory issues, swimming pool taste and smell and increased risks of certain cancers. Chlorine’s reactivity to other organic compounds in water also increases the likelihood of reproductive health complications, including birth defects and spontaneous abortion.

The case for the fluoridation of drinking water rests on this one perceived benefit: systemic fluoride helps to prevent dental cavities in children up to the age of 12. Yet, the CDC reported in 2010 over 41% of U.S. children suffer from dental fluorosis caused by excess fluoride.

In new research, scientists examined the relationship between fluoride intake and the hardening (calcification) of arteries. They found that fluoride consumption directly stimulates the hardening of your arteries, a condition highly correlated with cardiovascular disease.

Nearly 98% of all Western European countries have now rejected or given up water fluoridation on the grounds that it is unsafe, while over 72% of Americans still drink water treated with fluoride. The bottom line is that ingesting fluoride poses serious risks to your health long-term. There is no such thing as a “low” or “optimum” level of fluoride in drinking water. Pure drinking water should contain no fluoride whatsoever.

Red or orange-brown stains often seen on bathroom fixtures and in toilets are unsightly and difficult to clean. Such staining is a sign of iron contamination, often accompanied with fine sediment or particulate material that builds up over time around drains. In most natural waters, there is a combination of several types of iron. It is critical to know which types of iron are present in order to prescribe the correct treatment.

Manganese is a metal commonly found in natural water supplies. If your water has iron, it should also be tested for Mn as these two metals commonly co-occur in water supplies.

The most obvious sign of manganese is the presence of black stains or particles in the house, or even black colored water in severe cases. Health risks associated with manganese exposure include adverse neurological effects resembling Parkinson’s, intellectual impairment in children and decreased IQ.

Unpleasant odors in water are relatively common and arise from various sources. Municipal water treated with disinfection chemicals will almost always have a noticeable chemical smell, as a result of the chlorine or chloramine utilized to prevent biological contamination. To reduce these odors, the chemicals should be removed from the water supply at the point-of-entry for full home protection.

A “rotten egg” smell is common for well water supplies due to hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas occurs naturally in ground water and the odor is usually the result of the activity of sulfur-reducing bacteria. Sulfuric water isn’t life threatening to consume, though it can impact your health over time.

To get rid of unwanted odors and tastes in your water, start with a water test to determine the cause and best route for treatment.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including GenX are a large group of more than 4,000 compounds widely used in consumer and industrial products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent textiles, paint, food packaging and firefighting foams.

These chemicals resist degradation and accumulate in the environment and in your body over time. PFAS compounds have now been found in many water supplies all across the U.S., with North Carolina a particular hotspot. Drinking water containing PFAS is the primary pathway into our body, with exposure leading to serious health issues including developmental delays in children, increased risks of certain cancers, hormonal and thyroid disruption, raised cholesterol and more.

Silica is a common mineral compound most easily recognized in nature as the mineral quartz. Although the solubility of silica in water is low, its sheer abundance means that it is ubiquitous in ground water supplies at some level.

Signs of silica in water include a hard-to-remove water line in the toilet, scaling and frosty-colored deposits on glass shower doors and chrome fixtures, white spots on black porcelain sinks and white build-up on granite counters. Whole-home reverse osmosis and siliphos sequestering are two primary treatment options for removing or mitigating silica in your water.