Is Your Water Making You Sick?
Most of us assume our tap water is safe—but even treated water can contain contaminants that affect our health. These contaminants are often invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making them hard to detect without proper testing.
This article explores the subtle signs that your water might be affecting your health, what could be causing it, and how to find out for sure.
1. Health Symptoms That Could Be Linked to Your Water
Water-related health issues can be difficult to pinpoint. The symptoms are often non-specific and easy to dismiss, but when several show up at once or affect multiple people in your household, it’s worth a closer look.
Common symptoms linked to poor water quality include:
- Upset stomach or recurring digestive problems
- Dry or itchy skin
- Headaches or fatigue
- A metallic taste in drinking water
- Dry, brittle hair
- Discoloration or staining on fixtures or laundry
These symptoms can be caused by many things—but if they began after moving into a new home, making plumbing changes, or installing a filtration system, your water might be part of the issue.
💡 For a helpful reminder of how water impacts overall health, check out this short video from the Mayo Clinic Health System.
2. What Could Be in Your Water?
The type of water you use—municipal or private well—can expose you to different risks. Some common water contaminants that can affect your health include:
- Coliform bacteria or E. coli: Can enter private wells through septic leaks or surface runoff
- Lead and copper: Often leach from old pipes and fixtures
- PFAS/PFOA: “Forever chemicals” linked to immune and hormonal disruption
- Nitrates: Especially dangerous to infants and pregnant women
- Chlorine and chloramine: Can irritate skin, lungs, and eyes—especially during hot showers
- Iron, manganese, and sulfur: Can cause staining, off tastes, and odor issues
Even if you’re on public water, treatment doesn’t always remove everything. To understand what’s present in your specific area, reviewing your annual local water report—such as the NPWA Water Quality Reports—is a great place to start.
3. Where Does Contamination Come From?
Contamination doesn’t always stem from the water source—it can happen anywhere between the water plant (or well) and your faucet. Common causes include:
- Aging plumbing systems (especially those with lead pipes or fittings)
- Runoff from farms or roads
- Septic system leaks or nearby wastewater
- Industrial pollution (including PFAS sites)
- Poor wellhead protection or casing issues
- Chlorine or treatment chemical byproducts in public water systems
4. The Importance of Testing: What You Can’t See Might Still Harm You
The only way to know what’s really in your water is to test it.
While over-the-counter strips may offer quick insight into things like pH or hardness, lab-grade testing can identify contaminants with much greater accuracy—including bacteria, heavy metals, nitrates, and VOCs.
Professional water testing can answer questions like:
- Is the water safe for drinking and cooking?
- Why is there staining on my tubs or fixtures?
- Could this be related to skin, hair, or respiratory irritation?
- Should I consider filtration or disinfection for peace of mind?
5. A Real-Life Example from Boyertown
A family in Boyertown reached out to us with concerns about dry skin, scalp irritation, and rust-colored stains in their shower. After testing their water, we found elevated levels of chlorine and iron. We installed a whole home filtration system to address both issues—and within weeks, their symptoms began to ease and the staining stopped.
6. What to Do If You Suspect a Problem
If you’re worried about what’s in your water, don’t ignore it. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or just want reassurance, a test will give you the information you need to move forward confidently.
Our team offers complimentary testing for new customers, plus clear recommendations based on real results—not guesswork. There’s no pressure to buy—just clarity, education, and guidance.
Further Reading from Dierolf
To better understand your water and your options, explore the following pages:
