When kids are home for summer, they typically drink more water, make more ice, prepare more snacks, and spend more time staying active outdoors. Working with a family-owned water company focused on safe drinking water can help Orange County homeowners better understand their water quality and determine whether treatment solutions are needed. The best place to start is a professional, in-home water test that identifies what’s in your water and helps you make informed decisions for your family.

Here’s a truth every parent understands, when school lets out, your grocery bill isn’t the only thing that goes up, your water usage does too. Suddenly, the refrigerator is opening every ten minutes, ice disappears twice as fast, water bottles are scattered across the house and someone is always asking for something cold to drink.
I’m Brian McCowin. My family has been helping Orange County families solve water problems since 1972. As a family-owned business, we’ve spent decades working with parents who want the same thing “Confidence”.
They want confidence in the food their kids eat, confidence in the air they breathe and confidence in the water they drink. Summer is often when families start paying closer attention to their water because they’re using so much more of it. That’s why this is one of the best times of year to learn exactly what’s flowing from your tap.
Why is drinking water especially important during the summer?
Drinking water becomes even more important during summer because children tend to be more active and consume more fluids.
Think about everything happening during summer break:
- Sports camps
- Swimming
- Bike rides
- Outdoor play
- Family vacations
- Backyard activities
All of these activities increase hydration needs. When temperatures rise, access to clean, refreshing drinking water becomes even more important. Many parents focus on sunscreen and summer safety but water quality deserves attention too.
How do I know if my family’s drinking water is safe?
The best way to understand your drinking water is through professional water testing.
Here’s something most homeowners don’t realize: Water can look perfectly clear and still leave questions unanswered. That’s why assumptions aren’t enough. A professional evaluation helps identify factors such as:
- Water hardness
- Chlorine levels
- Chloramine levels
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Taste and odor concerns
- Overall water quality characteristics
Testing transforms uncertainty into knowledge and knowledge helps families make better decisions.
Why do families choose a family-owned water company?
Many homeowners prefer working with a family-owned water company because they value trust, accountability, and long-term relationships.
This is something I’ve believed my entire career, when your name is on the building, your reputation matters. Family-owned businesses often succeed because they understand something larger corporations sometimes forget: Customers aren’t transactions, they’re neighbors.
At McCowin Water, we’ve been serving Orange County families since 1972.
Our success depends on helping people solve real problems, not hitting monthly sales quotas. That’s a responsibility we take seriously.
What water quality concerns are Orange County families asking about today?
Many families are asking questions about hard water, chlorine, dissolved solids, and emerging contaminants. Over the last several years, public awareness about drinking water quality has grown significantly.
Common concerns include:
- Hard water minerals
- Chlorine and chloramine
- PFAS and emerging contaminants
- Water taste and odor
- Appliance protection
- Drinking water quality
Recent discussions between 2023 and 2025 have encouraged more homeowners to learn what’s actually in their water rather than simply assuming everything is fine, that’s a positive trend. Good decisions begin with good information.
Does better-tasting water encourage kids to drink more water?
Many families find that children are more likely to drink water when it tastes clean and refreshing.
Let’s be honest, kids are often surprisingly picky. If water tastes strange, smells chemical, or leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, they may choose:
- Juice
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Sweetened beverages
Instead. Parents spend years encouraging healthy habits, improving water quality can support those efforts by making water a more appealing choice. Sometimes the simplest solutions make the biggest difference.
What signs suggest it may be time to test my home’s water?
Many homeowners notice subtle signs before realizing water quality may be affecting their household. Common examples include:
Drinking Water Concerns
- Unpleasant taste
- Chlorine smell
- Cloudy ice cubes
- Frequent bottled water purchases
Household Concerns
- White scale buildup
- Water spots on dishes
- Appliance maintenance issues
- Dry skin after showers
Family Concerns
- Questions about drinking water quality
- Increased bottled water consumption
- Summer hydration concerns
These signs don’t automatically mean a serious problem exists but they often indicate that learning more about your water would be worthwhile.
Why do water treatment recommendations vary so much?
Many water companies only sell one type of equipment, this creates one of the biggest sources of confusion for homeowners.
At McCowin Water, we’re like an Auto Mall for water treatment.
We aren’t tied to one manufacturer, we carry a broad range of premium solutions because every home’s water is different. Some homes need filtration, some need softening, some need reverse osmosis and some need a combination.
The water determines the recommendation, not the inventory.
What is the smartest thing parents can do before summer ends?
The smartest thing parents can do is learn what’s in their water. Summer is when families rely on drinking water more than almost any other time of year. Testing provides answers to questions such as:
- What’s in our water?
- Are there issues worth addressing?
- Which treatment options make sense?
- Are we spending money unnecessarily on bottled water?
Once those answers are clear, making decisions becomes much easier and peace of mind becomes a lot easier too.
The McCowin Promise
For more than fifty years, we’ve helped Orange County families understand their water and make informed decisions without pressure, scare tactics, or gimmicks.

“If the system we install doesn’t perform the way we promised… If your water doesn’t taste, feel, or behave the way we said it would… We’ll pull the whole system out. And either replace it or make it right. No fine print. Because your trust is worth more than the sale.”
Schedule Your Free, In-Home Water Test
If you’re looking for a family-owned water company focused on safe drinking water, start with facts about your home’s water.
We perform professional, on-site testing right at your kitchen sink. You’ll see what’s in your water, understand your options, and receive honest recommendations with absolutely zero sales pressure.
Call us at (949) 569-5736 or Schedule a Free, In-Home Water Test today and make sure your family has the information it needs for a healthier, more confident summer.
CSLB: C-55 #1022717
Why is drinking water especially important during the summer?
Children and families typically consume more water during summer because of outdoor activities, sports, higher temperatures, and increased physical activity. Clean, refreshing drinking water helps support healthy hydration habits.
How do I know if my family’s drinking water is safe?
The best way to understand your drinking water is through professional water testing. Testing helps identify water quality characteristics such as hardness, chlorine levels, dissolved solids, and other factors that may affect household water.
Why do families choose a family-owned water company?
Many families prefer working with family-owned water companies because they value long-term relationships, accountability, local expertise, and personalized service. Family-owned businesses often focus on solving customer problems rather than meeting corporate sales goals.
Posted on Henry NovellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Maaison does excellent work. I highly recommend. He is very experiences and could answer all my questions related to The Hague water softener and the RO water filtration system. Highly recommend Brian and his team of employees. He has low turnover which speaks volumes for a good operation.Posted on Ethan BlairTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. No matter what you have installed or serviced, this company knows what they are doing. I’ve never know a company to have such intelligent and capable employees all around. From quotes, to scheduling, service and follow up you are in the most capable hands. We have been with McCowin water for 7 years and only encountered positive results. Employees are happy and love the company! It’s the coolest thing to witness. Thank you for being such a steady and loyal partner in keeping our water and home protected. You are family to us!Posted on Tom PhillipsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly and professional technician. Great customer skills as well. He couldn't say enough nice things about the company. Answered all questions I had.Posted on Mike MichinoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the most well run, professional, punctual, competent, and honest business I have ever encountered across any field. It definitely shows that it is a family run business that takes personal pride in its work, its employees, and its integrity. Every single service tech who has come out to our home has been the quintessential professional. All experts at what they do, meticulous, and complete in every detail. They do not cut any corners. I love tinkering with mechanical things and am very OCD when it comes to my water quality. I was especially pleased to discover them using the same and better “Hach” water testing equipment that I personally use, and making sure to perform all of the tests as part of their standard routine, with no prompting from me. What particularly left an impression on me was the visit from technician Maaison today. After thoroughly completing all of the annual checks, he courteously asked me multiple times if I had any questions. I could not think of any because he was already so thorough in all of his explanations and demonstrations. But then when he went to update the interface on my unit, he noticed me quip that I would have to consult the manual to learn how to do that myself. Maaison not only re-explained the procedure again, he actually jumbled the controls and allowed me to reprogram the interface myself to make sure that I could actually do it myself after he left. As I attempted to implement his teachings, Maaison continued to attentively pay attention and pointed out the mistakes that I made and corrected them in the kindest most respectful way possible. The employees of this company are not only great people, they are great teachers, and we all know what kind of person it takes to actually teach (I mean the good teachers, lol) and pass on knowledge. Kudos to McCowin Water, Inc! What an amazing company.Posted on Juliet WilliamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Maaison was great and super helpful! Very professional and thoroughPosted on michele tyrell-smithTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Maaison was excellent. Very personable & did a great job.Posted on Janet MancinelliTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. prompt , excellent service- thank you JordanPosted on Tom AtkinsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did a great job. Brian came out today and was very helpful. Been doing.business with. them several years. Good company. High integrity.