When historic Catasauqua—affectionately known as “Catty”—was chartered in 1853 as the birthplace of America’s anthracite iron industry, clean water from the Lehigh River fueled progress. Today, the nearly 6,500 residents of this charming Lehigh County borough face modern water quality challenges their predecessors never imagined. Dierolf Plumbing & Water Treatment has spent over 25 years helping Catasauqua families solve tough water and plumbing problems. With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, our Licensed Master Plumbers and Licensed Well Inspectors deliver solutions that protect your family’s health and your home’s value.
Hard Water and Iron: The Hidden Threats to Catasauqua Homes
Catasauqua Municipal Water Works draws from three deep groundwater wells near Walnut and Saint John Streets, producing approximately 500,000 gallons daily. While chlorinated for safety before distribution through the borough’s 800,000-gallon storage system, this groundwater naturally contains minerals that create hard water—one of Pennsylvania’s most common water issues. According to water quality experts studying Lehigh and Northampton Counties, hard water silently destroys water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing fixtures while causing soap scum, spotty glassware, and dry skin. Our professionally installed water softener systems use ion exchange technology to eliminate these minerals before they damage your home.
Many Catasauqua area homes on private wells face elevated iron and manganese levels. A 2016 study found 17 percent of Pennsylvania’s private water supplies contain excessive iron, causing rust-colored stains on fixtures and laundry that are nearly impossible to remove. Our specialized iron filtration systems capture these minerals before they enter your plumbing, as detailed in our guide to understanding water chemistry.
PFAS Contamination in the Lehigh Valley
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—”forever chemicals”—have become a major Lehigh Valley concern. According to recent Pennsylvania DEP and USGS testing, the Lehigh River at Glendon (just upstream from Catasauqua) tested at 30.3 nanograms per liter for PFAS. The EPA’s 2024 maximum contaminant levels set limits of just 4 parts per trillion for the most dangerous PFAS compounds, which have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental delays. Neighboring Emmaus discovered PFAS in borough wells in 2021, spending millions on remediation. For Catasauqua homeowners—especially those on private wells—PFAS testing and treatment with activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems should be a priority.
Bacterial Threats and Lead Concerns
While Catasauqua’s chlorinated municipal water meets safety standards, Penn State Extension reports that 50 percent of Pennsylvania’s private wells fail at least one safety test. Bacterial contamination from coliform and E. coli poses serious health risks, particularly for children and elderly residents. Our ultraviolet disinfection systems destroy bacteria without chemicals, while our article on bacteria hiding in plumbing explains comprehensive protection strategies. Additionally, older Catasauqua homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or solder. The Pennsylvania DEP continues lead line replacement programs, but homeowners are responsible for pipes from curb to house.
Your Trusted Catasauqua Community Partner
Just like Blocker’s Coffeehouse at 309 Front Street brews perfect organic coffee with quality water, we know great living starts with clean water. When you’re enjoying exceptional meals at Cathy’s Creative Catering & Café on Front Street or fresh Mediterranean cuisine at Catty Cafe, you’re experiencing businesses that—like Dierolf—are committed to serving Catasauqua with integrity and genuine care for our neighbors’ wellbeing.
Comprehensive Water Treatment & Plumbing Solutions for Catasauqua Homeowners
Whether you’re connected to Catasauqua Municipal Water Works or rely on a private well in the surrounding Lehigh County area, Dierolf Plumbing & Water Treatment delivers customized solutions for every water quality and plumbing challenge. Our Licensed Master Plumbers begin every project with certified laboratory water testing—never guesswork or scare tactics—to identify exactly what contaminants are present in your home’s water supply. From there, we design treatment systems tailored to your specific water chemistry, whether that’s a whole-house water softener to eliminate hard water damage, iron filtration to stop stubborn staining, ultraviolet disinfection for bacterial protection, or reverse osmosis for PFAS removal and ultrapure drinking water.
Our comprehensive plumbing services include water heater installation and repair, well pump and tank replacement, sump pump systems, fixture upgrades, and emergency repairs. As Licensed Well Inspectors, we provide professional well inspections for real estate transactions, ensuring buyers and sellers have accurate information about water system conditions. We also offer DEP compliance services for Pennsylvania businesses, restaurants, schools, and facilities that must meet strict water quality regulations. Every installation meets code requirements, includes upfront pricing with no hidden fees, and comes backed by comprehensive warranties and ongoing maintenance support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Treatment in Catasauqua
How do I know if my Catasauqua water needs treatment? Common signs include white spots on dishes, orange or black stains on fixtures, soap that doesn’t lather well, dry skin and hair, metallic taste, or sulfur odor. However, many dangerous contaminants like PFAS, lead, and bacteria have no taste, odor, or appearance. We recommend professional water testing annually for well owners and every few years for municipal customers, especially in older homes or if you have young children. Our complimentary water analysis provides certified lab results so you can make informed decisions.
What’s the difference between water softeners and other treatment systems? Water softeners specifically remove hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) but don’t address iron, bacteria, PFAS, lead, or taste/odor issues. Many Catasauqua homes benefit from multi-stage systems customized to their water chemistry—perhaps an iron filter plus softener, with reverse osmosis for drinking water and UV disinfection for bacterial protection. We design solutions based on your specific test results, not one-size-fits-all packages.
Do you service both municipal and well water customers? Absolutely. We serve Catasauqua Borough residents on the municipal system as well as homeowners in surrounding Hanover Township, Allen Township, North Catasauqua, and throughout Lehigh County who rely on private wells. Our Licensed Well Inspectors specialize in well water challenges, and we maintain, repair, and replace well pumps, pressure tanks, and complete well systems.
Don’t wait until water quality problems damage your health or home. Our Water Quality Association-certified team has protected Lehigh Valley families for over 25 years with proven solutions and exceptional service. Visit our contact page to schedule your free water analysis, request a consultation, or get answers from our knowledgeable Licensed Master Plumbers. We’re here to help Catasauqua families enjoy the pure, healthy water they deserve.
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Bryan was very professional, courteous, and efficient. Great service, thank you!
Great job installing our new water filtration system! Installers were very communicative and efficient. Well done.
Very very helpful and nice people! Wow i thought companies that care were gone not so!!! Dierolf’s people care and i think it’s a real reflection of the owner and how he runs his company and actually cares!! Thank you for a super great job and for caring!!
Service was great and very efficient. The guys were very friendly and quickly replaced the pump without any issues. Thank you.
They did a great job installing a new toilet in my bathroom. They were neat, clean, and paid attention to detail. Chris answered all of my plumbing questions without hesitation. Very satisfied... Highly recommend
