How do I know if I have hard water?

Hard water leaves clues around the house: white, chalky scale on faucets, buildup on shower heads, soap that won't lather well, spotty dishes, dry, itchy skin, and dull hair. You may also notice more scrubbing on fixtures and shower glass, or appliances working harder than they should. Signs alone aren't enough to size a system, though - hardness, iron, pH, and other factors all matter. Our free water test measures those levels at your home so you know for certain what you're dealing with and what treatment actually fits.

What is the difference between a water softener and a water filter?

A water softener specifically targets hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium, removing them to prevent scale buildup and improve soap efficiency. A water filter, on the other hand, is designed to remove a broader range of impurities such as sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants, improving taste, odor, and overall water quality. While some filters can reduce hardness, their primary function is not softening. Softeners focus on mineral removal, while filters focus on contaminant removal.

How often do I need to add salt to my softener?

Most systems need salt every 4–8 weeks, depending on hardness and how much water your household uses. Higher hardness or more people usually means more frequent refills. We can teach you how to check and refill the brine tank yourself, or set up salt delivery with dealer-only high-purity crystals you won't find at big-box stores - order while we're at your home and there's no delivery fee.

How much water and electricity does a water softener use?

Older softeners often used more water and salt than necessary during regeneration. Modern Hague systems are built for efficient regeneration cycles and smart controls that help minimize salt and water waste, and we match capacity to your actual hardness and usage so you aren't running an oversized unit. Exact use varies by model and water chemistry - we'll walk through what to expect for your specific system during the consultation so you have a clear picture before you decide.

What is the "regeneration" cycle, and how often does it happen?

The regeneration cycle is the automatic process your water softener uses to recharge its resin beads - the part of the system that actually removes hardness minerals from your water. Over time, those beads become saturated with calcium and magnesium, and regeneration flushes them clean using a brine (salt-water) solution, restoring their ability to soften water. The cycle typically runs overnight, lasts 1–2 hours, and uses a set amount of water and salt. How often it happens depends on your household's water usage and hardness level, but most systems regenerate every 3–7 days. Our systems are programmed to regenerate on demand based on actual usage, so they only run when needed - saving salt and water compared to older timer-based models.

What is a "salt bridge," and how do I fix it?

A salt bridge is a hard crust that forms in your brine tank, creating a gap between the salt and the water below - meaning your softener goes through the motions of regenerating without actually dissolving any salt. The result is that hard water keeps flowing through your home even though the tank looks full. It's most common in humid conditions or when using certain types of salt. To fix it, gently break up the crust with a broom handle or similar tool, being careful not to damage the tank. Once the bridge is broken, the loose salt will fall into the water and dissolve normally. In addition, you can pour a gallon of hot water in the corner of the tank to break up a salt bridge. If it keeps happening, try switching to a higher-purity salt or lowering the salt level you keep in the tank. When in doubt, our technicians can inspect the brine tank during a service visit and make sure everything is working as it should.

Complete Water Treatment Services & Products for Philadelphia, Newtown & More

Rely on us for home water filtration services in Newtown, West Chester, Pipersville, Yardley, Quakertown, Macungie, and more - from free water testing to filtration installation and maintenance, we are a full-service water treatment company that caters to you. We carry quality American-made products from premium brands, making us your your one-stop shop for cleaner water at home.

Schedule Your Free Water Test Call 215-529-5544

Full-Service Whole Home
Water Filtration & Treatment

EPA Water Consultants is a full-service water filtration company focused on accurate water testing, sales and installation of point-of-entry and point-of-use systems, and consistent water system maintenance on existing equipment. With us, your home gets cleaner, safer water from diagnosis through ongoing care.

Free Water Testing

Our free, comprehensive tests cover everything from hardness to bacteria, so we can recommend the right solution for your home - no guesswork, no obligation.

Whole House Filtration

We install water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, whole house water systems, and more - all completed by our own employees, not subcontractors.

System Repair & Maintenance

No matter where you purchased your system, our technicians can service nearly any water treatment equipment, replacing filters and offering repairs, as needed.

Water Softener Installation

Hard water problems can cause spots on dishes, dry skin, brittle hair, and more - we have softening products and solutions, tailored to your home.

Reverse Osmosis Treatment

Enjoy purified water with filters that remove up to 99% of dissolved solids, chemicals, and contaminants.

We have solutions for every issue -ultraviolet systems, ozone water systems, PFAS water filtration, pH balancing systems, and bottleless coolers.

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Water softener system installation in home

Signs and certificates on the wall of EPA Water's office.

Dealers for Premium Water Filtration Brands

Your One-Stop Shop for
Water Treatment Products

We carry advanced, versatile equipment from premium, reputable manufacturers, so you get better-tasting, cleaner water from the systems you invest in.

Water Treatment Systems: Try one of many different water treatment systems we carry - reverse osmosis systems, whole house water filtration systems, water softeners, and more.
Reverse Osmosis Systems: Our reverse osmosis systems are designed to remove up to 99% of contaminants, so you don't have to be concerned about the water your getting from your kitchen tap.
Water Softener Systems: We install Hague’s customized, patented, whole house water treatment systems - with a WaterMax® System, you can save money on soaps, buy less detergent, and extend water appliance life.
Ozone Water Systems: Iron and sulfur are naturally occurring substances that dissolve into your water supply, causing rust stains and appliance wear - ozone systems can help reduce these issues.
Ultraviolet Systems: An ultraviolet water treatment system provides bacteria-free water for your home - we install the UV GDS Series, ensuring no bad tastes or odors in your water.

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What to Expect from a Service Appointment

Free analysis, a clear recommendation, and options that fit your home and budget - all handled by our team, not subcontractors.

01

Free Water Analysis

We conduct a free water analysis to determine your water quality, covering everything from hardness to bacteria, so recommendations match what's actually in your water.

02

Installed By Our Team

No subcontractors - each install is completed by an EPA Water Consultant employee, treating each home as if it were our own.

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Water Treatment Services & Products: FAQs

Get answers to common questions about our services and products.

What services do you provide?

Full-service water filtration: water testing (from hardness to bacteria), installation of softeners, reverse osmosis, and whole-house systems, plus maintenance on existing equipment - including systems you didn't buy from us.

What products do you carry?

We work with premium brands, including Hague Quality Water systems, to deliver only the best reverse osmosis systems, whole house filtration options, water softeners (such as WaterMax®), bottleless coolers, ozone systems for iron and sulfur, and ultraviolet disinfection.

Do you only service systems you installed?

No. No matter where you purchased your water treatment system, our licensed technicians can fix virtually any water treatment equipment. We also track your service history and remind you when service is due.

What is a WaterMax® system?

These are Hague's proprietary whole house water treatment systems. The WaterMax® system is engineered to reduce soap and detergent usage, while helping your water-based appliances last longer - delivering cleaner water and real savings throughout your entire home.

When would I need ozone or UV systems installed?

Ozone can help with iron, sulfur, and rust staining, and it often used to mitigate a rotten egg odor - all problems common in private wells. An ultraviolet system provides bacteria-free water without changing taste or odor. Your free water analysis tells us which option fits best for your needs.

What does a water test cost?

The free water test in your home is for hardness, pH and TDS, for which we get immediate results for. If we're testing for other parameters, we'll take sample to a lab and costs will vary depending on the test.

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What Our Neighbors Are Saying

Real Google reviews about our water treatment services, installation, and products.

“I'm very happy with the service from EPA Water Consultants. They are not only very knowledgeable and professional but also very nice to deal with. I have the utmost confidence in them as a Hague Water Max and RO system specialists and know that my water conditioning system is in expert hands. I highly recommend this business.”

“A great experience with EPA Water Consultants! We had no previous experience and purchased a home with a water softener, and EPA reached out to let us know they installed the system and scheduled a maintenance visit. They explained everything in detail and were super friendly and flexible with timing.”

“One of the best decisions after buying our new house was to hire EPA to put in our water softener. Professional, kind and responsive. It was a pleasure to have them install our water softener.”

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Water Treatment in Bucks County & Greater Philadelphia

We serve homeowners across Eastern Pennsylvania, from New Hope and Newtown down through the Main Line and west into Chester County. If you're in our area and have a water problem, we can help.

Newtown
New Hope
Doylestown
Washington Crossing
Malvern
West Chester
Pipersville
Yardley
Quakertown
Macungie

Counties served:

Bucks County
Montgomery County
Chester County
Lehigh County
Philadelphia County
Delaware County

Full Service Area

Family toasting glasses of drinking water at the dinner table

Serving the Greater Philadelphia Region

Ready for Better Water? Book Your Free Test

Free in-home water test – no cost, no pressure
Results explained clearly – not just a sales pitch
Upfront pricing on every option we present
Professional installation, usually within 1–2 weeks

Or call us directly:

215-529-5544

Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 5 PM · Sat–Sun: On Call

Experiencing water problems in your home or business? EPA Water Consultants is here to help.

Complete Water Treatment Services & Products for Philadelphia, Newtown & More