Wilson's city water is disinfected with free chlorine rather than chloramine, which makes taste easy to fix with ordinary carbon. The city's report doesn't list hardness, so test before buying a softener. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Wilson.
Wilson's water in brief
City of Wilson Water Resources treats water from its own reservoirs, Buckhorn Lake, Wiggins Mill Reservoir, Lake Wilson and Toisnot Reservoir, at the Wiggins Mill and Toisnot plants. Wilson County water districts buy city water too, so many outlying homes get the same supply. The city's 2022 report, the most recent posted by the city itself, shows free chlorine disinfection with no chloramine, and lime or sodium hydroxide for pH control. Hardness, pH and sodium aren't listed. Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile, with one site above the action level, and copper was 0.170 ppm.
What to do now
- Read the latest report. The 2023 version is reproduced on Wilson County's water quality page.
- Test hardness at your kitchen tap with a strip or ask a plumber to. That one number decides whether a softener is worth discussing.
- If taste is the issue, plan on activated carbon. Free chlorine is easier to remove than chloramine, so standard carbon does the job.
- If your home was built in 1986 or earlier, check the city's lead service line inventory. It covers nearly 10,000 homes, and the city may offer a $25 utility credit for reporting your pipe material.
- If your water heater is in the garage, make sure it's elevated 18 inches; the city lists this among its top code violations, and it's worth fixing during any work at the heater.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Chlorine taste or smell | Free chlorine disinfectant |
| White crust on fixtures | Hardness, if testing confirms |
| Rust-colored water in an older home | Corroding galvanized pipe |
| Rust only on hot water | Water heater tank or anode |
| Grit after nearby line work | Sediment stirred up in mains |
What affects the cost
- Carbon filter, softener or reverse osmosis
- Whole-house versus under-sink
- Pipe material and access at the main
- Drain, outlet and space for a softener
- Replacement cartridges and salt
About 46% of Wilson homes were built before 1980, and in the historic districts, older plumbing can turn a simple filter install into a small repipe at the main. A plumber can tell you before starting.
Water Softeners & Filtration questions in Wilson
What gets rid of the chlorine or chloramine taste?
Where do I find the hardness of my town's water?
Which filter makes sense if I'm concerned about lead?
Will softer water help my water heater or tankless unit?
More plumbing services in Wilson
Water Softeners & Filtration nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: