Professional Water Testing Services in Michigan
At Besco Water Treatment, we provide professional water testing services across Michigan to help homeowners and businesses understand exactly what’s in their water supply. Our experts perform fast, accurate water quality testing for city and well water. This information can be used to create a water treatment system that protects your health, plumbing, and peace of mind.
Whether you live in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Muskegon, Rockford, or Battle Creek, we make it easy to schedule a free water test and get clear answers about your home’s water.
What Is Water Testing and Why Does It Matter?
Every time you turn on your faucet, your water has traveled through miles of pipes and, in some cases, underground soil and rock. Along the way, it can pick up a variety of substances. Some are harmless, while others can affect your health, plumbing, and appliances.
Regular home water testing helps identify potential health risks, explain strange tastes or odors, and prevent issues like scale buildup, rust stains, or corroded pipes. Well water testing is especially important, since this water isn’t regulated by municipal treatment systems.
For city homes in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Lansing, occasional testing can help you better understand your tap water’s characteristics and confirm the quality you’re receiving.
Common Substances Found in Michigan Water
Michigan’s unique geology means local water often contains a mix of minerals and other substances that can affect quality and taste. Here are a few of the most common findings:
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Hard Minerals (Calcium & Magnesium):
An excess of hard minerals in your water supply can leave cloudy spots on dishes and cause buildup inside pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
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Iron:
Excessive iron in your water creates rust stains in sinks and tubs and gives water a metallic taste.
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Bacteria & Nitrates:
These contaminants are most frequently detected in private wells and can pose health risks if untreated.
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Chlorine:
Chlorine is used by cities to disinfect water, but if there’s too much, it can make your water smell and feel like pool water.
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pH Imbalance:
If your water’s pH balance is off, your water can corrode metal plumbing or reduce cleaning efficiency.
Learn more about the issues water testing can uncover on our Common Water Problems page. Knowing what’s in your water is the first step toward fixing it.
How Water Testing Works
At Besco, our water tests are simple, fast, and accurate. Here’s what you can expect when you schedule a water testing appointment with us:
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On-Site Collection:
Our team visits your home or business to take a sample from your tap, well, or water source.
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Laboratory Analysis:
The sample is analyzed for hardness, iron, chlorine, pH, bacteria, and other key indicators.
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Clear Reporting:
You receive a detailed, easy-to-understand report showing what’s in your water and how it compares to established standards.
Our experts explain what the results mean in practical terms. This means no scientific jargon. Just straightforward answers you can use.
Making Sense of the Numbers
To understand the results of your water test, you need to understand the units used. When you receive your water test report, you’ll see the following key measurements and units:
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Hardness (grains per gallon, or gpg):
This measures dissolved calcium and magnesium. Hard water test results above 3.5 gpg are considered hard, and levels over 10 gpg are very hard.
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pH (potential of hydrogen):
The pH scale runs from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7.0 being neutral. A pH below 6.5 means your water is slightly acidic.
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Iron (mg/L or ppm):
Even small amounts of iron can cause problems. The EPA’s secondary standard is 0.3 mg/L, which is the point where orange staining or metallic taste may begin to appear.
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TDS (total dissolved solids, mg/L):
This represents all dissolved minerals and salts in the water. Values below 500 mg/L are generally considered acceptable for taste and clarity.
Besco’s water specialists walk you through each result, explain what the readings mean for your home, and help you choose the right solution to improve your water quality.
From Results to Solutions
Once your test results are complete, we’ll walk you through effective solutions tailored to your home or business.
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Hard water:
Install a water softener to reduce calcium and magnesium buildup.
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High iron levels:
An iron filter can remove discoloration and metallic taste.
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Chlorine taste or odor:
Add a carbon filter or reverse osmosis system to mitigate the effects of chlorine in your water.
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Bacteria or nitrates:
Consider UV disinfection or advanced filtration systems for safety and peace of mind.
Water treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a custom prescription for your water. Explore your options on our Water Treatment Services page.
Schedule Your Free Water Test Today
Your water affects everything from your morning coffee to the lifespan of your dishwasher. Don’t leave its quality to chance. Besco offers free in-home water testing throughout Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Muskegon, Rockford, and Battle Creek. Our certified technicians will test your water, explain your results, and recommend treatment options if needed.
Schedule Your Free Water Test and get the clear answers you deserve.
