In Niceville, most people get their water from the Floridan Aquifer. While Niceville’s water meets the state and federal standards, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ideal.
Some of the most common complaints about water in Niceville include taste, odor, scale buildup and wear and tear on plumbing fixtures. A water filtration system not only improves the taste of your home’s water and reduces buildup, but it also removes dangerous contaminants.
Quick Takeaways
- Niceville’s tap water is treated and meets federal standards.
- Common complaints about the water include a chlorinated taste, mineral buildup and contamination from disinfection byproducts.
- Aging pipes and plumbing can also allow contaminants into your water supply.
- Filtration systems improve water taste and safety while extending appliance life.
- Professional water testing can ensure you find the right solution for your home.
Where Niceville’s Water Comes From
The Floridian aquifer serves as Niceville’s main water source, and the Okaloosa County water treatment process uses aeration and chlorination to disinfect it as it flows in. Aeration gets rid of dissolved gases and harmful compounds by introducing air into the water. Chlorine is also added to eliminate harmful microorganisms that can cause serious illness.
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report indicates that Okaloosa County’s water treatment meets standards, but chlorination may still affect the taste or smell of your drinking water.
What’s in Niceville’s Water?
Common elements that the Consumer Confidence Report Test for include chlorine, nitrates, fluoride and disinfection byproducts. While Niceville’s water report ensures that the tap water is safe to drink, some residents still have concerns. The Environmental Working Group is an independent entity that has conducted its own water testing in Niceville, FL. They use stricter health guidelines in their assessments.
According to the EWG, four contaminants in Niceville’s water supply exceed their safety standards: haloacetic acids (HAA5), haloacetic acids (HAA9), combined radium (-226 and -228) and trihalomethanes.
Although these levels are technically “safe,” long-term exposure to these contaminants may still raise health concerns for some families. Additionally, trace minerals like calcium and magnesium can contribute significantly to hard water and create buildup on fixtures.
Common Water Problems Homeowners Notice
Hard water in Niceville is one of the most common problems homeowners face. Hard water contains large levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium, which build up over time. This can leave a lasting impact on your appliances, hair and even your skin.
The following signs may indicate you have a problem with hard water:
- Chlorine smell and taste
- Limescale buildup on your shower and faucets
- Sediment discoloration in older homes
- Murky, cloudy water
- Dry or itchy skin
- Dull, filmy hair
- Poor lathering when using soap
- Reduced efficiency with your appliances
To check for hard water at home, fill a clear bottle with half a cup of tap water. Then, add some liquid soap and shake it for thirty seconds. If there’s little foam and the water is cloudy, you have hard water.
If there are lots of suds and the water is clear, you have soft water.
Health and Plumbing Impacts of Untreated Water
Residents may first grow concerned over water safety in Niceville, FL, if they notice an odd smell or taste. Minerals are usually what cause these effects.
Over time, these deposits can cause hard-water scale on appliances, reducing their efficiency. Some people experience higher maintenance and repair costs due to significant home plumbing damage from hard water buildup.
Disinfection byproducts, metals and chlorine in untreated water can irritate your skin and affect the taste of your food. They may also cause digestive system issues.
How Water Filtration Protects Your Home
Water filtration keeps your home safe by getting rid of harmful substances like lead, pesticides and chlorine from drinking water. Carbon filters efficiently eliminate chlorine and its byproducts that affect taste, while water softeners help prevent mineral scale buildup.
Some water filtration systems use reverse osmosis to effectively improve water quality. This process protects your family’s health, improves water taste and prevents hard water damage to your plumbing and appliances.
You can receive home water filtration in Niceville, FL, by installing either a whole-home or under-sink system. While a whole-home water filter will remove contaminants from your water as it comes into your home, under-sink water filters get the job done at specific taps, like your kitchen’s faucet. Either option can provide you and your family peace of mind.
Choosing the Right Filtration System for Niceville’s Water
There are many types of water filtration systems. The best water filtration system for your home in Niceville, FL will depend on the contaminants you need to remove, your budget and how much water you need filtered.
To determine your needs, you’ll have to undergo professional water testing. Testing will show you exactly what’s in your water (and what you happen to be drinking), so you can decide whether a whole-home or under-sink system will work best.
To ensure efficiency, professional installation of your water filtration system is necessary for proper flow rate and pressure calibration. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers customized systems based on your home’s test results, ensuring you always have high-quality water in your home.
When To Have Your Water Tested
Your water quality can change over time. The EPA recommends annual water testing in Niceville to ensure your health and safety. However, a sudden change in odor, color or plumbing corrosion requires more immediate testing.
While the municipality regularly tests and treats city water, many people rely on well water to supply their homes with drinking water. If your home uses well water, you are responsible for testing it.
Because well water is not regulated, results from a water analysis in Okaloosa County may not accurately reflect its quality. It’s important that you test well water regularly to detect bacteria, minerals and environmental contaminants.
Local Water Quality Resources
Being proactive is important when it comes to water safety. Start by comparing official and independent data regarding your local water quality. You can read and review the City of Niceville’s latest Consumer Confidence Report.
Then, compare their results with the Environmental Working Group’s results to determine whether you’d like to install a water filtration system for your home. Remember, while your city water may meet the state and federal guidelines and is technically “safe,” that doesn’t make it “ideal.”
Let Our Punctual Plumbers Help You Purify Your Water in Niceville, FL
If your Niceville water tastes off or leaves buildup behind, it’s time to act. Stop dealing with itchy skin, soap scum spots and stubborn residue and contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Our punctual plumbers in Niceville, FL offer professional water testing and custom water filtration installation to keep your home’s water safe, clean and refreshing. Contact our water purification experts to schedule an appointment today.