Iron in Well Water: What Berks County Homeowners Need to Know
July 8, 2026
If you run a private well in Berks County, there is a good chance you...
Pure, Refreshing Water at Your Fingertips
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough drinking water purification available for a residential home. Water is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks contaminants as small as individual molecules — PFAS, lead, arsenic, nitrates, heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria, and viruses. What comes out the other side is about as clean as tap water gets.
At Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment, we install and service reverse osmosis systems across Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Berks, and Lehigh counties. We start with a water test — not a product recommendation — so you know exactly what’s in your water and exactly what your RO system is removing.
RO removes up to 99% of dissolved contaminants. Here’s what that means for the most common water quality concerns in southeastern Pennsylvania:
Most searched
PFAS and PFOA contamination has been documented in public water supplies across Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties. RO is one of the only residential methods that effectively removes them.
and Heavy Metals
Lead from older plumbing, arsenic from well water geology, and other heavy metals including chromium and cadmium. Common in older housing stock throughout Reading, Allentown, and Pottstown.
Nitrates from agricultural runoff are a concern in private well water across Berks and Lehigh counties. RO removes them effectively — most other filtration methods do not.
Added to every public water supply in southeastern Pennsylvania for disinfection. RO removes both, along with the aftertaste and odor they cause.
RO membranes block bacteria and most viruses. For private well water with documented bacterial contamination, we often recommend pairing RO with UV filtration for complete coverage.
RO reduces total dissolved solids significantly, producing noticeably cleaner, clearer water. Note: it also removes calcium and magnesium. If you want minerals retained, ask us about our Ultrapure Alkaline system.
A note on PFAS in southeastern Pennsylvania: Multiple public water systems across Bucks and Montgomery counties have tested above the EPA’s updated PFAS limits. If you’re on public water in those counties — or on a private well near any industrial or military site — PFAS testing followed by RO installation is one of the most direct things you can do to protect your household. Learn more about PFAS in southeastern PA.
Most under-sink RO systems use a 4 to 5 stage filtration process. Here’s what happens to your water before it reaches the glass:
The rejected contaminants are flushed down the drain — they don’t accumulate in the system. Purified water is dispensed from a dedicated faucet mounted on your sink, or integrated directly into your refrigerator line.
We don’t sell RO systems off the shelf. Every installation starts with understanding what’s actually in your water.
We test your water before recommending any system. The test tells us what contaminants are present, at what levels, and whether RO is the right solution or if another approach makes more sense.
We size the system for your household’s actual usage. A family of five uses water differently than a couple. We make sure the storage tank and flow rate match how your household lives.
Our experienced service technicians install your system correctly and cleanly. Most installations are completed in a single visit. No mess, no follow-up calls about leaks under your cabinet.
We test the system after installation to confirm it’s performing correctly, then walk you through how to use it, what the filter replacement schedule looks like, and what to watch for. You leave knowing exactly how your system works.
A reverse osmosis system is only as good as its filters. Here’s what the typical maintenance schedule looks like — and how we make it easy:
Component
Replacement Interval
What Happens If Skipped
Component
Replacement Interval
What Happens If Skipped
Sediment pre-filter
Every 6 to 12 months
Clogs, reducing flow and stressing the membrane
Component
Replacement Interval
What Happens If Skipped
Carbon pre-filter
Every 6 to 12 months
Chlorine passes through and damages the RO membrane
Component
Replacement Interval
What Happens If Skipped
RO membrane
Every 2 to 3 years
Contaminant rejection rate drops — system still runs but purifies less effectively
Component
Replacement Interval
What Happens If Skipped
Carbon post-filter
Every 6 to 12 months
Minor taste and odor impact
We provide a maintenance schedule with every installation and can handle all filter replacements during annual service visits. If you’re not sure when your current system was last serviced, contact us and we’ll take a look.
RO is the most comprehensive point-of-use drinking water solution we offer — but it’s not always the right fit for every home. Here’s a straightforward comparison:
Not sure which fits? A water test answers that question definitively. Schedule yours here. You can also read our comparison: Ultrafiltration vs. Reverse Osmosis.
Yes. Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective residential methods for removing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including PFOA and PFOS. The semi-permeable membrane blocks PFAS molecules, which are too large to pass through with the water. This is particularly relevant for homeowners in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties where PFAS contamination in public water supplies has been documented at levels that exceed updated EPA limits.
Yes — RO removes most dissolved minerals, including calcium and magnesium, along with contaminants. The membrane doesn’t distinguish between what’s harmful and what’s beneficial. For most households this is a non-issue, since the primary source of dietary minerals is food, not water. If you want purified water with minerals retained, ask us about our Ultrapure Alkaline system, which adds a remineralization stage after RO purification.
Traditional RO systems send some water to drain as part of the purification process — typically for every gallon of purified water produced, 2 to 4 gallons are used. Newer high-efficiency systems have improved this ratio significantly. For most households the water cost is minimal compared to the cost of bottled water the RO replaces. We’ll discuss efficiency options during your consultation.
Yes, with the right pre-filtration. Well water in Berks, Chester, and Lehigh counties often contains iron, manganese, or high sediment levels that can clog or damage an RO membrane quickly. We test your well water first, and if needed, we’ll recommend a pre-treatment stage — typically an iron filter or sediment filter — upstream of the RO unit. This protects the membrane and extends its life significantly.
Most under-sink RO installations are completed in a single visit, typically 2 to 3 hours. That includes running a dedicated faucet line, connecting to the drain, setting up the storage tank, and testing the system before we leave. If your plumbing configuration is unusual or you’re adding a refrigerator line, it may take a bit longer. We’ll give you an accurate time estimate when we assess your space.
Yes — they address completely different things. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium to prevent scale buildup and protect your appliances. It does not remove PFAS, lead, arsenic, nitrates, chlorine, or bacteria. An RO system handles what’s in the water you drink and cook with. Many of our customers in Bucks, Montgomery, and Berks counties have both — and for good reason. The softener protects your home; the RO protects your family.
The cost depends on the system configuration, the number of filtration stages, whether a remineralization stage is included, and your plumbing setup. We don’t publish a price list because the right answer starts with a water test — buying the wrong system costs more in the long run. Schedule a free water test and we’ll give you a specific recommendation and a clear quote. We also offer financing options through our partners — see financing details here.
Find out exactly what’s in your water — no obligation, no pressure. One of our experienced service technicians will test your water and give you a straight answer about what you’re dealing with and whether a reverse osmosis system makes sense for your home. We serve Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Berks, and Lehigh counties.
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We test your water to identify specific contaminants, including forever chemicals, and determine the best RO system for your home.
Based on your water analysis, we help you choose the right RO system to fit your needs and lifestyle.
Our factory-trained technicians install your RO system with precision, ensuring optimal performance and integration with your plumbing.
We test the system to ensure it’s effectively removing contaminants, including forever chemicals, and walk you through how to operate and maintain your new RO system.
Yes, RO systems are effective for well water, removing a wide range of contaminants. We may recommend additional pre-filtration depending on your water quality.
Pre-filters and post-filters should be replaced every 6-12 months, while the membrane typically lasts 2-3 years, depending on water quality and usage.
Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective methods for reducing or eliminating PFAS and other forever chemicals from your water.
Tailored Solutions
Every home is different, and we customize our RO installations to address your specific water concerns, including forever chemicals.
Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment is all about water. We specialize in wholesale water testing and water treatment systems for residential purposes. We also offer a full range of plumbing services. From the basic residential plumbing services such as fixing leaks to installing septic systems, we can take care of you every step of the way.
Dierolf provides financing options to our customers through partners. Click the link to see available options and apply for financing today!