Serving Chicagoland Since 1993

Water Testing and Filtration in McHenry, IL

Orange stains in the tub, white crust on the faucets or a well that hasn't been tested in years. We test your water, explain the results in plain English and install the softener or filter your home actually needs. From our office on West Elm Street, serving McHenry County.

J. Blanton plumber replacing the filter cartridges on an under-sink reverse osmosis water filtration system
Your Options

Water Treatment Options for McHenry County Homes

We install and service:

Water Softeners

Remove the hardness minerals that leave scale in water heaters, fixtures and pipes.

Iron Filters

Take out the iron that stains sinks, tubs and laundry orange.

Whole-House Sediment Filters

Catch sand and particles before they reach fixtures and appliances.

Drinking Water Systems

Under-sink reverse osmosis for cooking and drinking water.

Water Testing

Water Testing in McHenry

McHenry County gets its water from shallow and deep aquifers, so what comes out of the tap depends on which wells feed your home. Groundwater here tends to be hard, and some areas carry iron or manganese. A water test tells you exactly what's in yours.

If you're on a private well, testing matters even more. Health officials recommend testing private wells regularly, because no utility is doing it for you. We test for hardness, iron and other common issues and use the results to recommend only what your home needs.

Local Knowledge

Water Quality in McHenry Homes

Water is one of the biggest plumbing stories in McHenry County.

Hard Water Everywhere

Groundwater tends to be hard across the county. It leaves scale on fixtures, sediment in water heaters and a film on glass shower doors.

Iron Stains

Orange or rust-colored stains in sinks, tubs and toilets usually come from iron. Outside city limits, unincorporated Eastwood Manor, on a small private water system, lived with iron-heavy water for years until a filtration upgrade in 2025.

Private Wells Around Town

Many homes outside city limits in McHenry County are on private wells. Testing is the owner's job, and a filter or softener is often part of the setup.

Softeners That Need Service

A softener that's out of salt, set wrong or not regenerating lets hardness right through. We service and adjust them.

The J. Blanton Difference

What Happens When You Call J. Blanton

Test first, then recommend.

1. Test Your Water

At your tap, explained plainly.

2. Only What You Need

Softener, iron filter or both, sized to your water and household.

3. Flat Price, Clean Install

One price, and we show you how to maintain it.

773-724-9272
J. Blanton plumber in shoe covers on a home's front steps with a sewer camera
Customer Stories

Water Filtration Reviews

4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.

"Edgar's the man. Not only did he install my water heater, but asked to test the quality of the water to see if that could've lead to the damage and the leak of my last water heater. My water was at a 7 on the hardness scale, and it's supposed to be at 2 or 3. So he reccomends a new water softener, and im thankful that he did. [...]"

Bill Tengler
Verified Customer

"Matt W came out and worked a big job (water softener and sump pump) efficiently and with great attitude and humor! Ho got everything done quickly and was very informative"

Linda L
Verified Customer

"Ron was perfect. He came to do the job at hand and explained various pieces of information along the way that helped me understand the root causes of what we were dealing with and how to avoid problems in the future. [...] Didn't try and push the sale like some companies do, but was more or less educating on what the options were and what they entailed in full so we would know what to expect if we decided to go down those paths."

Brian Crain
Verified Customer
Got Questions?

Water Filtration Questions From McHenry Homeowners

Usually iron in the water.

Orange or rust-colored stains usually come from iron in the water. It isn't a health hazard, but it stains fixtures and laundry and settles in your water heater. An iron filter takes it out.

Most homes on hard groundwater benefit. A test confirms it.

Most homes on hard groundwater see a real difference: less scale, longer water heater life and fewer spots. A test shows how hard your water is so you can decide.

Regularly. Health officials suggest at least once a year for bacteria.

Health officials generally recommend testing a private well at least once a year for bacteria, and after any flooding or changes in taste, color or smell. We can test for hardness and iron at the same time.

It may not be regenerating, or the settings are wrong.

The softener may not be regenerating, the resin may be worn out or the hardness setting may be too low for your water. We can test and adjust it.

It depends on the system and your water. You get a flat price first.

It depends on the type and size of the system and how it connects to your plumbing. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins.

Annual Protection Plan

Join the No Drip Club

Most plumbing problems start small. The No Drip Club brings a J. Blanton plumber to your home for regular maintenance, so small issues get caught before they turn into big repairs.

  • Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
  • 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
  • 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
  • VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
Learn More About the No Drip Club
No Drip Club mascot: an illustrated J. Blanton plumber holding a red pipe wrench
What We Fix

Plumbing Services in McHenry

J. Blanton plumber checking the controls at the base of a basement water heater

Water Heaters

Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.

Learn More
Plumber feeding a drain cleaning cable into an outdoor drain pit to clear a clogged line

Drain Cleaning

Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

Learn More
J. Blanton plumbers working a sewer lining machine connected to the cleanout at a residential sewer repair

Sewer Repair

Tree roots, cracked pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.

Learn More
J. Blanton plumber leaning over an open toilet tank to check the fill valve during a toilet repair

Toilets & Showers

Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.

Learn More
Interior wall with bubbling, cracked paint and water stains above the baseboard, a sign of a hidden leak behind the wall

Leak Repair

Hidden leaks behind walls, under floors and around fixtures, found and fixed.

Learn More
J. Blanton plumber working on the wiring of a basement sump pump pit

Sump Pumps

Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.

Learn More
Local Office, 24/7 Phone

Ready for Better Water in Your Home?

Our McHenry office is at 3406 W Elm St, and our phone line is open 24/7.

We also serve Johnsburg, Wonder Lake, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Lakemoor, Fox Lake, Island Lake, Woodstock and more.

Call Now: 773-724-9272
Need a Plumber?Call our McHenry Office
Call Now