Water Testing & Treatment

Clean water, close to home

If you’re noticing staining, odors, bad taste, dry skin, or changes in your water – the first step is understanding why.

Petersheim Brothers provides professional water testing and customized water treatment solutions for homes throughout Berks, Chester, and surrounding counties. Whether you’re on private well water or public water, we help identify issues and install systems that protect your plumbing, appliances, and family’s health.

Schedule your water evaluation today by calling 610-286-5850. Our team will be happy to help you understand exactly how we can help.


Why Water Testing Matters

Water problems aren’t always visible — and many issues develop slowly over time.

Professional water testing helps:

  • Identify contaminants that affect health and safety
  • Prevent corrosion, scale, and appliance damage
  • Improve taste, odor, and clarity
  • Ensure your water system is performing properly

If you’re on well water, regular testing is especially important since it isn’t regulated like public water. Even municipal water users can benefit from testing, particularly if you notice chlorine taste, staining, or buildup.

Our Water Testing Process

We keep the process simple and straightforward.

  1. On-Site Evaluation
    Our technician reviews your water source, plumbing setup, and any concerns you’re experiencing.
  2. Water Sample Collection & Testing
    We test for common and harmful issues such as:
    • Hardness
    • Iron and manganese
    • Bacteria
    • Nitrates
    • Sediment
    • Chlorine
    • pH imbalance
    • Other contaminants as needed
  3. Clear Results & Recommendations
    You’ll receive an explanation of your results and honest recommendations.
  4. Custom Treatment Solutions
    If treatment is needed, we design a system based on your water, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Common Water Problems We Solve

Hard Water

Hard water causes scale buildup, dry skin, cloudy dishes, and appliance wear.
Solution: Water softeners that remove hardness minerals and extend system life.

Iron & Manganese

Rust staining, metallic taste, and discolored water are common signs.
Solution: Iron filtration systems designed for well water conditions.

Bacteria & Nitrates

These contaminants can pose serious health risks, especially for children.
Solution: Disinfection systems such as UV treatment and targeted filtration.

Chlorine Taste & Odor

Often found in public water supplies.
Solution: Carbon filtration or reverse osmosis for clean, better-tasting water.

Sediment & Cloudiness

Sand, grit, or debris can damage plumbing and fixtures.
Solution: Sediment filtration to protect your entire water system.

Other Impurities

Arsenic, lead, and other harmful chemicals may be present in water without any
noticeable taste, smell, or appearance.
Solution: Advanced filtration and treatment systems selected based on your water test results, designed to reduce or remove specific harmful contaminants effectively.

Water Treatment Systems We Install

Every system we install is sized and selected based on your specific water test results.

Water Softeners

Water softeners remove hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water supply. These minerals are responsible for scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances, as well as dry skin, dull laundry, and cloudy dishes.

How it works:
A water softener uses an ion exchange process to replace hardness minerals with sodium or potassium, preventing scale buildup and improving overall water performance throughout the home.

Best for:
Homes with hard well water or municipal water experiencing scale, spotting, or appliance wear.
Keywords naturally supported: water softener installation, hard water treatment, whole house water softener.

Iron & Manganese Filters

Iron and manganese filters are designed to remove dissolved metals that cause rust staining, metallic taste, and discolored water, which are common issues in private well systems.

How it works:
These systems oxidize and filter out iron and manganese before they reach your plumbing, protecting fixtures and improving water clarity and taste.

Best for:
Well water with staining, metallic odor, or reddish/brown discoloration.
Keywords supported: iron removal system, manganese filter, well water iron treatment.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

Reverse osmosis systems provide high-quality drinking water by removing a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, lead, arsenic, nitrates, and other dissolved solids.

How it works:
Water is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out impurities at the molecular level, producing clean, great-tasting water at a dedicated faucet.

Best for:
Homes looking for improved drinking and cooking water quality.
Keywords supported: reverse osmosis water system, RO drinking water system, under sink water filter.

UV Disinfection Systems

UV disinfection systems protect against harmful bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms commonly found in untreated well water.

How it works:
Ultraviolet light neutralizes bacteria and pathogens as water flows through the system — without adding chemicals or altering taste.

Best for:
Well water systems with bacterial contamination or as a preventative safety measure.
Keywords supported: UV water treatment, bacteria removal well water, UV disinfection system.

Whole-Home Filtration Systems

Whole-home filtration systems treat all water entering your house, improving quality at every tap, from showers and laundry to sinks and appliances.

How it works:
These systems use multi-stage filtration to reduce sediment, chlorine, odors, and other impurities before water is distributed throughout your home.

Best for:
Homeowners wanting consistent water quality for bathing, cleaning, and daily use.
Keywords supported: whole house water filtration, home water filter system, water filtration installation.

Point-of-Use Drinking Water Systems

Point-of-use systems filter water at a specific location, such as a kitchen sink or refrigerator, to improve drinking water quality.

How it works:
Installed directly at the tap, these systems target taste, odor, and contaminants in drinking water without treating the entire home.

Best for:
Targeted drinking water improvement without a full system upgrade.
Keywords supported: drinking water filter system, under sink water filter, point of use water treatment.

What Sets Petersheim Brothers Apart

  • Over a century of local experience
  • Specialists in well systems, pumps, and water quality
  • Honest recommendations
  • Service rooted in the communities we live and work in
  • One company for testing, treatment, installation, and service

We help people understand their water and make confident decisions for their homes and businesses. From the first test to long-term system maintenance, our goal is to provide clear answers, practical solutions, and dependable service —
so you know exactly what’s in your water and what it takes to keep it working safely and efficiently for years to come.

Fun fact: We’ve been drilling wells across the tri-county area since 1916, and many of the systems we service today connect back to generations of local families.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I test my water?
Well water should be tested annually, or anytime you notice changes. Public water users may test less frequently but should still test if problems arise.

Do I need treatment if my water looks fine?
Many water issues are invisible. Testing confirms what’s actually present.

Do you service existing systems?
Yes — we service, maintain, and upgrade water treatment systems, even if we didn’t originally install them.