Nestled in Delaware County’s historic Arts and Crafts community, Rose Valley Borough represents one of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s most distinctive neighborhoods. This intimate enclave of approximately 1,200 residents combines century-old architectural charm with modern expectations. With homes dating back more than a century—many built before lead was banned from plumbing in 1986—Rose Valley homeowners understand that protecting these historic properties requires vigilance, particularly when it comes to water quality.
For over 25 years, Dierolf Plumbing & Water Treatment has served as the trusted water quality expert throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, our team of Licensed Master Plumbers and Licensed Well Inspectors brings deep local knowledge to every consultation. We understand the unique challenges facing Rose Valley’s historic homes and provide customized solutions backed by professional testing and transparent service.
PFAS Contamination: A Growing Concern for Rose Valley Residents
Rose Valley receives its drinking water from Aqua Pennsylvania, which serves approximately 16,000 customers in Delaware County. Recent lawsuits filed by Aqua in March 2025 have brought concerning water quality issues to light. Aqua’s federal lawsuit against chemical manufacturer Arkema Inc. alleges that PFAS contamination from the company’s West Chester facility has infiltrated the Goose Creek watershed serving Rose Valley, Media, and surrounding communities.
Testing conducted by Aqua beginning in 2019 detected PFAS levels dramatically exceeding safe limits—with some samples showing concentrations above 1,700 parts per trillion, far exceeding Pennsylvania’s standards and EPA limits. These “forever chemicals” persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in human bodies over time. The EPA links PFAS exposure to serious health effects including certain cancers, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and developmental issues in children. Our article on understanding PFAS and microplastics health impacts provides detailed information about these contaminants.
Hard Water and Lead: Protecting Rose Valley’s Historic Homes
Rose Valley homeowners consistently report classic hard water symptoms: white scale buildup on faucets, spotty dishes, dry skin after bathing, and reduced appliance efficiency. Delaware County’s geology naturally contributes elevated calcium and magnesium levels to local water sources. While these minerals aren’t health hazards, hard water creates expensive problems—mineral scale accumulates inside pipes, narrowing passages and accelerating corrosion in Rose Valley’s vintage fixtures. Professional water softener systems protect your plumbing investment while delivering noticeably better water quality.
Perhaps the most serious concern involves lead contamination. Rose Valley’s architectural heritage—with homes built during the Arts and Crafts movement from 1901 through the mid-20th century—means many properties contain plumbing installed before the 1986 federal lead ban. Lead doesn’t announce its presence. You cannot see, smell, or taste it in drinking water. Yet the CDC states that no amount of lead exposure is considered safe for children. Our comprehensive approach for historic homes combines testing, pH adjustment, and point-of-use reverse osmosis systems to protect families while preserving architectural character.
Community Connection: Supporting Rose Valley’s Local Character
Rose Valley’s tight-knit community thrives on local business relationships. Your neighbors support establishments like the historic Hedgerow Theatre, founded in 1923 and nationally recognized as America’s oldest continuously operating residential repertory theatre. Just down the road in Media, the Swarthmore Co-Op has served Delaware County residents since 1937 with locally-sourced foods and sustainability programming. The 320 Market Café in Swarthmore exemplifies the neighborhood’s appreciation for quality and craft, combining artisanal foods and community connection where residents know each other by name.
Dierolf has earned trust throughout Delaware County by demonstrating the same commitment to excellence, honest communication, and long-term customer relationships that characterize these beloved local businesses.
Comprehensive Water Quality & Plumbing Solutions for Rose Valley's Historic Homes
Rose Valley’s historic character demands specialized expertise in both water treatment and plumbing. Dierolf provides comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique challenges facing Delaware County’s Arts and Crafts era homes—from PFAS removal and lead mitigation to hard water treatment and vintage plumbing preservation.
Our Licensed Master Plumbers understand the interaction between water chemistry and century-old plumbing materials. We design treatment systems that work reliably in Rose Valley’s older homes without requiring extensive modifications that could damage historic character. Whether you’re concerned about PFAS contamination in your drinking water, lead leaching from aging plumbing, or hard water damaging vintage fixtures, we bring 25+ years of local expertise to every consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions from Rose Valley Homeowners
How worried should I be about PFAS contamination given the recent lawsuits involving Aqua Pennsylvania?
The PFAS contamination discovered in the Goose Creek watershed represents a legitimate concern that warrants informed action rather than panic. Aqua has invested millions in treatment technologies to remove PFAS before water enters the distribution system. However, many Rose Valley families choose certified reverse osmosis systems for additional protection at the point of use. Professional water testing provides the most accurate assessment of what’s actually in your tap water. Dierolf offers PFAS screening and installs only NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certified systems providing documented PFAS reduction exceeding 99%.
Our house was built in 1915, and I’m concerned about lead in our plumbing. What are our options?
Lead exposure concerns are absolutely justified for pre-1986 homes in Rose Valley. The first step is professional water testing that measures lead concentration after water has been sitting stagnant in your plumbing. If testing reveals elevated lead, several effective approaches are available: water pH adjustment using calcite neutralizers, whole-home sediment filtration, and point-of-use reverse osmosis at kitchen sinks providing 99%+ lead removal. Our Licensed Master Plumbers design multi-stage systems that work reliably without requiring extensive plumbing modifications.
Is hard water just a cosmetic nuisance, or should I address it?
Hard water creates progressive damage that becomes increasingly expensive if ignored. Mineral scale accumulates inside pipes, gradually narrowing passages and reducing water pressure. The same deposits form on water heater elements and inside appliances, forcing them to fail years earlier than expected. For Rose Valley homes with original copper plumbing or vintage fixtures, hard water accelerates corrosion that can eventually require complete replumbing. Professional water softener systems eliminate these problems while protecting your home’s irreplaceable historic plumbing.
Don’t wait until water quality issues damage your plumbing or affect your family’s health. Contact Dierolf today for complimentary water testing and honest recommendations tailored to your Rose Valley home. Schedule your free water quality consultation and protect what matters most—your family’s health and your investment in this remarkable community.
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