Hard Water Mineral Buildup
Forest Lake tests at 18 grains per gallon (extremely hard). Untreated, this scales every faucet, water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine in your home.
Service Area
Plumber in Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN water tests at 18 grains per gallon. A.J. Alberts has been installing softeners, filtration, water heaters, and full residential plumbing for Twin Cities homes since 1989.
Licensed Minnesota (MN PC150039)
★ 4.9 stars, 800+ reviews Best of Woodbury · 2025 Winner, 2026 Finalist
Free in-home water test
Quick Summary
A.J. Alberts Plumbing serves Forest Lake, MN for water softener installation, water conditioning, plumbing repair, water heater service, drain cleaning, and boilers. Free in-home water test at every appointment. Written upfront pricing. Lifetime craftsmanship warranty. Serving Washington County, MN since 1989. Call 651-738-0580.
Water Quality in Forest Lake
Forest Lake is a Washington County community of approximately 21,000 residents at the north edge of the Twin Cities metro, anchored by the chain of lakes (Forest Lake, Clear Lake, Bone Lake) that gives the city its name. Housing spans 1950s lake cottages converted to year-round homes through to newer subdivision construction on the east and south sides. Many older homes still have lead or galvanized service lines that the city is actively replacing.
18
grains per gallon
PFAS-affected — filtration + softener required
Forest Lake municipal water has detectable PFAS. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (PWSID 1820005) shows PFBA (perfluorobutanoic acid) at a highest single test result of 7.7 ppt with a range of 0 to 9.50 ppt, well under the MDH comparison value of 7,000 ppt but actively detected. More notably, Forest Lake has 408 documented lead service lines plus 46 galvanized lines requiring replacement, and the city's 2022 lead and copper monitoring showed one of 30 sampled homes at 18.3 ppb lead, above the 15 ppb action level (system 90th percentile remained at 1.3 ppb). The city draws from four wells, 250 to 630 feet deep, into the Mt. Simon, Quaternary Buried Artesian, and Wonewoc-Mt. Simon aquifers. Hardness is modeled at 18 gpg based on regional Washington County deep aquifer water; the city's published CCR does not state a specific hardness value, so an in-home test is the best way to confirm for your specific tap. Sodium runs elevated at 73.2 ppm.
Primary water source
Municipal water from four city wells, 250 to 630 feet deep, drawing from the Mt. Simon, Quaternary Buried Artesian, and Wonewoc-Mt. Simon aquifers per the Forest Lake 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (PWSID 1820005). Forest Lake operates its own treatment infrastructure under the City Utilities department.
Recommended treatment for Forest Lake homes:
Water softener plus whole-home filtration; lead-service-line inspection for pre-1986 homes
See treatment options →For the full Twin Cities water quality picture, see our water quality map and city-by-city data.
Common Water Issues We Solve in Forest Lake
Most Forest Lake homes we visit fall into one of these four buckets. Free in-home test confirms which apply to yours.
PFAS Contamination
Forest Lake is within the documented East Metro PFAS contamination zone tied to historical 3M discharge. Even with municipal treatment, many homes install a certified household PFAS filter as a defense-in-depth layer.
Drinking Water Contaminants
Beyond hardness, Forest Lake tap water can carry trace dissolved metals, sediment, and chlorination byproducts. Under-sink reverse osmosis delivers cleaner drinking and cooking water than most bottled.
Aging In-Home Plumbing
Many Forest Lake homes are 30+ years old. Original water heaters, softeners, supply lines, and shut-off valves are often due for replacement. Proactive maintenance prevents emergencies.
Free In-Home Water Test in Forest Lake
No fee. No obligation. We confirm what is actually in your specific water.
Services Available in Forest Lake
Water Softener Installation
Sized and programmed for the extremely hard water common in Forest Lake. Lifetime craftsmanship warranty.
Whole-Home Filtration
Carbon, sediment, PFAS, and iron filtration matched to your specific water test.
Reverse Osmosis
Under-sink and whole-home RO systems for the cleanest possible drinking water.
Plumbing Services
Leak repair, fixture installation, sump pumps, water line repair, gas lines.
Water Heaters
Tank, tankless, and hybrid heat pump installation and repair. Same-day options.
Boiler Service
Hydronic boiler repair, replacement, and radiant floor heat. Critical Minnesota winter work.
Drain Cleaning
Cable, hydro jetting, and in-line camera. Mainline backups handled same-day.
Free Water Test
Free on-site testing for hardness, iron, chlorine, pH, and TDS. No obligation.
Maintenance Plans
Annual plumbing inspection, water heater flush, softener tune-up, priority scheduling.
Local Expert
Meet Tyler Schauer
Forest Lake Resident, Plumber and Water Specialist
Tyler is a plumber on the A.J. Alberts team and lives in Forest Lake. Before joining the company, he spent years at a national water-conditioning service where he tested customer water and installed hundreds of water softeners, carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and iron filters. He does the same work for A.J. Alberts now, with one important difference: the installs and water testing are done by plumbers like Tyler, not commissioned salespeople, and A.J. Alberts' water conditioning products are priced lower than the specialty water-conditioning brands.
Most of Tyler's work happens in Forest Lake or the surrounding north and east metro communities: Hugo, Dellwood, White Bear Lake, Centerville, Lino Lakes, Blaine, Columbus, Ham Lake, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks, Circle Pines, Shoreview, Arden Hills, Grant, Mahtomedi, and Lexington. His specialty is water testing and water treatment system design and install, with general plumbing service alongside.
Outside work, Tyler is outdoors with his golden retriever puppy, on a golf course, or playing hockey. Forest Lake and surrounding north metro customers can request him by name when scheduling, especially for water testing or treatment system installs.
"The favorite part of my job is working with customers and solving their water problems. It is very gratifying. I tested water and installed hundreds of softeners, carbon filters, RO systems, and iron filters in my last role, so I know exactly what works and what does not for the water we have in this part of Minnesota."
Tyler Schauer, Plumber
Why Forest Lake Homeowners Choose A.J. Alberts
37 Years
Locally owned and operating across the Twin Cities since 1989. Best of Woodbury 2025 Winner, 2026 Finalist.
10 / 5 / 0
10 plumbers, 5 master plumbers, 0 commissioned salespeople. No upsell pressure, ever.
4.9 stars
800+ Google reviews from real Twin Cities customers. Lifetime craftsmanship warranty on every install.
Read all reviews →
What Forest Lake-Area Customers Say
A small sample of the 800+ Google reviews we have earned across the Twin Cities.
★★★★★
"AJ Alberts came out same day when our water heater broke. The technician was polite, explained the costs upfront, and had it replaced in a few hours. Highly recommend!"
Sarah M.
Woodbury, MN
★★★★★
"We've used them for over 10 years. Always reliable, always professional. It's great having a local plumber you can trust not to overcharge."
David K.
Stillwater, MN
★★★★★
"They installed a new water softener for us. The difference is amazing. Clean installation, no mess left behind, and very respectful of our home."
Jessica R.
Cottage Grove, MN
Nearby Areas We Also Serve
Forest Lake Service FAQs
Do you serve Forest Lake, MN?
Yes. A.J. Alberts Plumbing is fully licensed in Minnesota (MN License PC150039) and serves Forest Lake, MN for plumbing, water softener installation, water conditioning, water heater service, and drain cleaning. We handle most service calls within a day or two of booking.
How fast can A.J. Alberts get to my Forest Lake home?
For non-emergency service in Forest Lake, same-day to next-day appointments are typical. For active leaks, burst pipes, or no-heat emergencies, call 651-738-0580 immediately and we will prioritize you.
Do you offer free water testing in Forest Lake?
Yes. Free in-home water testing is included at every Forest Lake appointment, no obligation to buy. We test hardness, iron, chlorine, pH, and total dissolved solids on-site and walk you through what the results mean for your home.
Does Forest Lake have lead service lines I should worry about?
Yes, this is the single most important Forest Lake water quality issue. Per the city's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report and Service Line Material Inventory, Forest Lake has 408 documented lead service lines plus 46 galvanized service lines requiring replacement, out of approximately 4,349 total service lines. In 2022 lead and copper monitoring, 1 of 30 sampled homes tested at 18.3 ppb lead, which is above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (though the system 90th percentile remained at 1.3 ppb). If your home was built before 1986, or if you simply do not know your service line material, this is worth investigating. A.J. Alberts can identify your service line material and discuss replacement options as part of a free in-home water test.
How hard is Forest Lake water?
The City of Forest Lake's published Consumer Confidence Report does not state a specific hardness value, which is unusual. Based on regional Washington County deep aquifer water (the city draws from the Mt. Simon and Wonewoc-Mt. Simon aquifers via wells 250 to 630 feet deep), hardness is modeled at approximately 18 grains per gallon. That puts Forest Lake in the extremely hard tier. An A.J. Alberts free in-home water test is the best way to confirm the actual hardness at your tap, and we will size and recommend the right softener based on the result.
Need Service in Forest Lake?
Schedule a free in-home water test, or call us directly for immediate service.
A.J. Alberts Plumbing & Water Conditioning
7975 Afton Road · Woodbury, MN 55125 · 651-738-0580