The Source of Shorewood’s Water
Whitefish Bay receives its water from the North Shore Water Commission, which sources and treats Lake Michigan water for consumption. The Commission does an excellent job maintaining compliance with federal safety standards. But the real problem often isn’t the source—it’s what happens between the treatment plant and your faucet.
And in many cases, the issue lies with aging infrastructure, old pipes, and residual contaminants that treatment plants can’t fully remove.
What Contaminants Are in Whitefish Bay Tap Water?
Here are the most common water quality issues affecting homes in the village:
1. Lead
Many homes in Whitefish Bay were built before 1950, when lead service lines and lead solder were standard in plumbing. Although lead has been banned in plumbing materials since the 1980s, tens of thousands of homes in Southeast Wisconsin still have lead components, especially between the water main and your basement wall.
Lead poses severe health risks:
-
Children: Reduced IQ, developmental delays, and behavioral issues
-
Pregnant women: Miscarriage and low birth weight
-
Adults: High blood pressure, kidney problems, and neurological effects
Even low levels of exposure are considered unsafe by the EPA and CDC.
2. PFAS (Forever Chemicals)
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in nonstick pans, firefighting foam, and industrial products. These chemicals are extremely difficult to break down and are showing up more frequently in groundwater and municipal water systems across Wisconsin.
PFAS exposure has been linked to:
-
Immune system suppression
-
Thyroid dysfunction
-
Cancer
-
Liver damage
While not currently above EPA maximums in Whitefish Bay, trace levels have been detected in parts of Milwaukee County.
3. Chlorine and Chloramine
To disinfect drinking water, chlorine and chloramine are added during treatment. While effective for killing bacteria, they can:
-
Alter the taste and smell of your water
-
Irritate skin and eyes
-
React with organic matter to form disinfection byproducts (some of which may be carcinogenic)
4. Heavy Metals and Minerals
Depending on your plumbing, you might also find:
-
Copper
-
Iron
-
Manganese
-
Calcium scale
These substances can cause staining, pipe corrosion, and unpleasant taste or odor—especially if water is sitting in old pipes.
5. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
Water treatment plants are not equipped to remove all traces of:
-
Prescription medications
-
Hormones
-
Antibiotics
-
Cosmetic compounds (like parabens and triclosan)
These enter the water supply through human waste and improper disposal—and they’re not as rare as you might think.
Why Boiling or Bottled Water Isn’t the Answer
Many residents default to bottled water or occasional boiling as a temporary solution. But:
-
Boiling water does not remove lead, PFAS, or heavy metals—and can actually concentrate contaminants
-
Bottled water is expensive, wasteful, and unregulated compared to municipal water
-
Pitcher filters only handle a small amount of water and typically only reduce taste and odor
What Whitefish Bay families need is a comprehensive, long-term solution—one that filters every drop of waterentering the home.
The Solution: Whole Home Water Filtration for Whitefish Bay
At Stonehouse Protect, we specialize in advanced, American-made, whole house water filtration systems engineered to tackle the specific issues facing Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee’s North Shore.
Here’s what our systems do:
✅ Remove Lead – Certified to reduce both particulate and dissolved lead
✅ Eliminate PFAS and Pharmaceuticals – Using multi-stage filtration media
✅ Reduce Chlorine and Byproducts – For better taste, smell, and skin comfort
✅ Filter Heavy Metals and Sediment – Protecting your appliances and pipes
✅ Include UV Technology – Kills bacteria and viruses that sneak through
✅ Certified NSF and WQA – Meeting the highest industry standards
We Understand Whitefish Bay Homes
Our systems are tailored to older homes, many with unique plumbing setups, basements, and legacy pipes. We work with each client to install a filtration system that fits your space, usage, and goals.
We’ve helped dozens of Whitefish Bay residents already—and we’re proud to offer:
-
Free water quality testing
-
Free professional installation
-
Money-back satisfaction guarantee
-
Ongoing maintenance and support
Real Stories from the Community
“We had no idea our 1940s home still had lead in the plumbing. Stonehouse tested our water, walked us through the results, and installed a whole home system in a week. It’s made a huge difference.”
— The Harper Family, Whitefish Bay
“My daughter has sensitive skin, and the chlorine in our water was causing dryness. Since installing the system, her symptoms have improved. And the water tastes way better.”
— Lisa T., Whitefish Bay resident
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
The truth is, many contaminants in your water are invisible, tasteless, and odorless. You could be drinking, bathing, and cooking with water that meets government standards—but still affects your health over time.
Waiting for the Village to replace your lead service line is not a guarantee. Even after replacement, internal plumbing and faucet fixtures can continue to leach lead.
If you’re renting or unsure about your plumbing history, a whole house filtration system provides a safety net that protects you 24/7, regardless of what’s happening outside your walls.
