Start With the Water You Actually Have
The City of Rolling Meadows buys Lake Michigan water that is treated in Chicago and delivered through the Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency, according to its 2025 water quality report. The city does not list a hardness value in that report, so we do not quote one.
A hardness test kit from a hardware store or a lab test will tell you the number at your tap. The city's Public Works department can send the annual report, and it is the right place to ask questions about the supply. Spend nothing on equipment until you have a real reading.
Softener, Filter or Neither
| Concern | Common answer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scale on fixtures and spots on glass | Water softener | Confirm hardness with a test first |
| Taste or odor | Carbon filter | Often a point-of-use filter is enough |
| Sediment | Whole-house sediment filter | Sediment often comes from home piping, not the supply |
| Lead concern | Certified filter and testing | Ask Public Works and see the lead notes below |
| Chlorine taste | Carbon filter | Municipal water is disinfected |
| No visible issues | Neither | No need to treat water that is fine |
Thinking About a Softener?
Call and describe what you see. We will help you decide what to test first.
Lead and Household Plumbing
The City of Rolling Meadows states it has no known lead service lines, and its 2023 lead monitoring showed a 90th percentile of 0.9 parts per billion. The city also says lead can enter water from household plumbing and fixtures. If your home has older fixtures or solder, a test is the way to know.
If you want a filter for lead, look for one certified for lead reduction, and ask the plumber about proper installation and replacement of cartridges. The water service line repair page explains who owns which part of the line.
How an Installation Goes
- 1
Test and discuss
You share your test result and goals.
- 2
Site check
The plumber checks space, power, drain and the main line.
- 3
Clear price
You get a clear price before work starts.
- 4
Install and set up
The unit is installed with a bypass, connected to a drain and tested.
Things to Know About Softeners
- Softeners use salt or potassium and need periodic refills
- They require a drain connection and an electrical outlet
- Bypass valves let you use untreated water for outdoor taps
- Softened water can affect people on low-sodium diets, so ask a doctor
- Regular service keeps resin and valves working
Service and Repair of Existing Units
If you already have a softener or filter, common problems are salt bridges, clogged injectors, a failed control valve and old cartridges. A plumber can inspect the unit, flush the system and tell you whether repair or replacement makes sense.
If you notice a change in pressure after installing a unit, tell the plumber. A clogged filter or a partly closed bypass can reduce flow. The plumbing installation page covers related work.
What Affects the Price
Prices depend on the unit and the installation.
Want your real number? Call (847) 281-8626.
Sources and Local Rules Behind This Page
Plumbing work in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890, which municipal inspectors enforce, and the Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers. The service line ownership and lead notes here come from the City of Rolling Meadows water pages and its 2025 water quality report, according to which the city has no known lead service lines.
We name these sources so you can check them yourself. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the city office or the state before you rely on any detail for a permit or a purchase.
Common Questions
The city's water quality report does not list a hardness value, so test your tap with a kit and ask Public Works for the annual report.
Only if your test shows hard water and you notice scale or spotting. If not, you do not need one.
Lake Michigan water treated in Chicago and delivered by the Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency, per the city's 2025 report.
Yes. We install whole-house and point-of-use systems, with a clear price before work starts.
Installs are scheduled, but the 24/7 line is open for leaks and failures.
Still not sure what you are dealing with? Call (847) 281-8626 and describe it to our dispatcher.