Water Problems

Something off about your water? Start by identifying the specific problem, then check whether it's a source-water issue or something in your own plumbing.

Short answer: Most water problems fall into a handful of categories — taste, odor, hardness, discoloration, or a specific contaminant like PFAS or lead. Identify your water source first (see Find My Water Company), then match your symptom below.

Choose your problem

Bad Taste

Metallic, chemical, or "off" taste.

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Bad Odor

Rotten egg, musty, or chemical smells.

Read the guide →

Hard Water

Scale, soap scum, and spotting.

Read the guide →

Chlorine

Chlorine taste or smell in public water.

Read the guide →

Iron

Reddish-brown staining and metallic taste.

Read the guide →

Manganese

Black or dark gray staining.

Read the guide →

Cloudy Water

Cloudiness, air bubbles, or sediment.

Read the guide →

PFAS

New Jersey's state PFAS standards, explained.

Read the guide →

Lead

Lead service lines and premise plumbing.

Read the guide →

Common mistakes

  • Buying a treatment system before identifying the actual problem
  • Assuming a taste or odor issue means the water is unsafe without checking your CCR
  • Treating a private-well symptom the same way as a public-water symptom

This page provides general educational information and is not medical or laboratory advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Report a correction.

Water help in Water Problems

Newlin Water help

Newlin Water can help answer water questions, concerns, and treatment needs for homes, private wells, schools, child-care centers, and facilities. Help can include filtration, softening, reverse osmosis, drinking fountains, bottle fillers, and related water-system questions.