Ogdensburg Water Quality Report: Hidden Contaminants Revealed

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

Did you know that Ogdensburg, New York residents are exposed to 9 different contaminants exceeding health advocacy guidelines every time they turn on the tap?

Recent water quality testing by Ogdensburg City, serving over 11,000 residents along the majestic St. Lawrence River, has revealed a concerning cocktail of chemicals flowing through local homes. From the historic downtown district near the iconic Frederic Remington Art Museum to the residential neighborhoods surrounding Fort de La Présentation, families are unknowingly consuming and absorbing dangerous levels of trihalomethanes, chromium-6, and nitrates in their daily water supply.

While Ogdensburg's C+ overall water score technically meets EPA legal minimums, this grade masks a troubling reality beneath the surface. The city draws its water from the St. Lawrence River, and despite treatment efforts, independent health organizations warn that current contamination levels pose significant long-term risks to developing children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations throughout St. Lawrence County.

What makes this situation particularly alarming is that most families believe their water is safe simply because it looks clear and tastes normal. However, the most dangerous contaminants—including the carcinogenic "Erin Brockovich chemical" chromium-6—are completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless, silently accumulating in body tissues with each glass consumed and every shower taken.

Ogdensburg's Hard Water Crisis: The Hidden Damage in Every Drop

Beyond chemical contamination, Ogdensburg residents face another expensive problem lurking in their pipes: moderately hard water that's quietly destroying appliances and draining bank accounts.

While specific hardness data for Ogdensburg varies seasonally due to St. Lawrence River fluctuations, regional testing indicates levels typically ranging from 7-12 grains per gallon (GPG), classifying the water as moderately hard to hard. This means every gallon flowing through local homes contains the equivalent of dissolved limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium minerals—essentially liquid rock flowing through your plumbing.

The geological explanation lies in Ogdensburg's location along ancient limestone bedrock formations that extend throughout the St. Lawrence Valley. As river water and groundwater sources interact with these calcium-rich deposits, they pick up substantial mineral content that persists even after municipal treatment. The deeper wells and surface water intakes in the region consistently yield harder water due to prolonged contact with these mineral-rich geological formations.

This hardness creates immediate, visible damage throughout Ogdensburg homes. In bathrooms, residents notice thick soap scum coating shower doors within days, white crusty buildup choking faucet aerators, and reduced water pressure as mineral deposits clog fixtures. After showering, family members experience dry, itchy skin and brittle, dull hair that feels stripped of its natural oils. Even new razor blades dull faster, and stubborn toilet bowl rings form despite regular cleaning.

Kitchen frustrations multiply daily as dishes emerge from the dishwasher covered in cloudy white spots, coffee makers require frequent descaling, and cookware develops an unsightly film. The reduced efficiency means appliances work harder and break down sooner, while cooking becomes less enjoyable as mineral deposits affect taste and appearance.

The financial devastation extends throughout the entire home. Water heaters suffer the most dramatic impact—studies show hard water reduces efficiency by 29%, forcing these expensive appliances to work overtime while shortening their lifespan from 12-15 years down to just 6-8 years. For Ogdensburg families, this translates to premature $1,200 water heater replacements every few years instead of once per decade.

Additional costs accumulate relentlessly: families need 35% extra detergent for basic cleaning effectiveness, adding $180 annually in unnecessary chemical purchases. Increased energy bills from inefficient heating systems cost another $150-300 yearly. Appliance repairs and premature replacements demand $400-800 annually, while clogged pipes and damaged fixtures require $200-500 in plumbing repairs.

The shocking total? Ogdensburg families lose $930-1,780 every single year to preventable hard water damage. Over ten years, this represents $9,300-17,800 in unnecessary expenses—money that could fund family vacations, college savings, or home improvements instead of constant repair bills.

This financial hemorrhaging continues year after year until residents take action. A properly designed water softening system pays for itself within 2-4 years through appliance protection and reduced energy costs, then generates pure savings for decades while transforming daily life with luxuriously soft water throughout the home.

Dangerous Chemical Contamination: The Invisible Threat in Ogdensburg's Water

Ogdensburg's water testing revealed a disturbing reality that demands immediate attention from every family in the community. Independent analysis found 9 different contaminants exceeding health advocacy guidelines, tested by Ogdensburg City serving 11,000+ residents who deserve better protection.

The contamination profile reads like a toxic chemical inventory: Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), Dibromochloromethane, Dichloroacetic acid, Nitrate, Thallium and Total trihalomethane. While these chemicals remain below EPA legal limits, independent health organizations including the Environmental Working Group warn that "legal" doesn't always mean "safe."

The gap between legal limits and health guidelines reveals a critical flaw in federal water regulation. EPA standards for many chemicals haven't been updated in decades, despite mounting scientific evidence of health risks at lower exposure levels. Health advocacy organizations use current research to recommend much stricter limits based on long-term exposure studies and vulnerable population protection.

Several contaminants detected in Ogdensburg's water supply demand special attention due to their severe health implications. The collection of trihalomethanes (TTHMs)—including bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform, and dibromochloromethane—form when chlorine disinfection reacts with organic matter in St. Lawrence River water. These carcinogenic compounds increase bladder, colon, and rectal cancer risks while causing liver and kidney damage with prolonged exposure.

Perhaps most concerning is the detection of chromium-6, known as the "Erin Brockovich chemical" after the famous contamination case. This hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic even at extremely low levels, linked to lung cancer, liver damage, and reproductive harm. While EPA allows up to 100 parts per billion (ppb), California's health goal stands at just 0.02 ppb based on cancer risk assessment. Any detection above this level means families face unnecessary cancer risk with every glass of water consumed.

Nitrate contamination typically originates from agricultural runoff, particularly concerning in rural areas surrounding Ogdensburg where farming activity introduces fertilizer chemicals into groundwater and surface water sources. Beyond causing "Blue Baby Syndrome" in infants by reducing blood oxygen capacity, nitrates disrupt thyroid function and increase pregnancy complications. Long-term exposure studies link nitrate consumption to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

The presence of thallium, a toxic heavy metal, raises additional red flags. This rare but dangerous contaminant causes nervous system damage, hair loss, and organ failure even at low concentrations. Industrial sources and certain geological formations can introduce thallium into water supplies, making it particularly difficult to remove through conventional treatment methods.

Dichloroacetic acid, another disinfection byproduct, compounds the cancer risk posed by other detected chemicals. Studies link this haloacetic acid to liver tumors, reproductive toxicity, and developmental abnormalities in laboratory animals, suggesting similar risks for human exposure during critical development periods.

What makes this contamination cocktail particularly dangerous is the cumulative effect. Federal standards test individual chemicals but ignore how multiple contaminants interact inside the human body. When families consume water containing nine different chemicals simultaneously, toxic interactions may amplify health risks far beyond what individual chemical testing suggests.

Children face the greatest danger from Ogdensburg's contaminated water supply. Their developing organ systems, faster metabolisms, and smaller body sizes mean they absorb and concentrate toxins more rapidly than adults. Pregnant women risk passing these chemicals to developing fetuses during critical formation periods, potentially causing irreversible developmental damage.

The Critical Skin Absorption Factor: Why Showers Are More Dangerous Than Drinking

Here's the shocking truth that changes everything about water safety: according to landmark research published in the American Journal of Public Health (Volume 74, No. 5), the human body absorbs up to 64% of contaminants present in water through the skin during a typical 10-minute shower. The research, conducted by Dr. Halina Brown at the University of Pittsburgh, found that exposure to chemicals through bathing and showering can equal or exceed exposure through drinking.

This revelation means Ogdensburg families face their greatest contamination risk not at the kitchen sink, but in their own bathrooms. Your family drinks 8 glasses of water daily—but soaks in 40+ gallons during showers and baths. Every drop containing those 9 detected contaminants becomes a direct pathway into the bloodstream through the body's largest organ: the skin.

The absorption process accelerates dramatically in hot shower environments. Steam opens pores and airways, maximizing chemical penetration while hot water temperature increases skin permeability. Children's thinner, more permeable skin absorbs chemicals up to 40% faster than adults, making their 15-20 minute showers particularly hazardous exposure events.

Every 10-minute shower in Ogdensburg equals drinking 2 liters of the same contaminated water in terms of chemical exposure. But unlike drinking, which allows the digestive system to filter some toxins, skin absorption delivers contaminants directly to the bloodstream, bypassing natural protective mechanisms.

The inhalation danger compounds skin absorption risks. Hot shower steam releases chlorine gas and vaporized chemicals directly into the lungs—far more dangerous than drinking the same water. Family members breathe concentrated chemical vapors in enclosed bathroom spaces, particularly hazardous for children and individuals with respiratory conditions.

This daily exposure means that even families who drink bottled water remain vulnerable to Ogdensburg's contaminated supply. Trihalomethanes, chromium-6, and other detected chemicals penetrate skin barriers with every shower, accumulating in body tissues regardless of drinking water choices.

Why Your Refrigerator Filter Provides Dangerous False Security

Most Ogdensburg families believe their refrigerator filter or water pitcher protects them from contamination, but this assumption creates dangerous false security that actually increases health risks.

The harsh reality: refrigerator filters and pitchers protect only 0.5-1% of household water—the small amount used for drinking and cooking. They provide zero protection for the 99% of water used throughout the home for showering, bathing, handwashing, teeth brushing, dishwashing, and laundry.

This means families continue bathing babies in water containing chromium-6 and trihalomethanes, allowing children to absorb carcinogenic chemicals through their skin during daily 15-20 minute showers, permitting teenagers to inhale vaporized contaminants while getting ready for school, and exposing everyone to chemical residues on supposedly "clean" dishes and laundry.

The filtered drinking water provides an illusion of safety while danger continues through the largest exposure pathway: skin absorption. Remember, the University of Pittsburgh research proved skin absorbs up to 64% of water contaminants during typical shower duration—more than drinking 8 glasses of the same water.

Point-of-use filters also fail against many contaminants detected in Ogdensburg's supply. Standard carbon filters may reduce chloroform but prove ineffective against chromium-6, nitrates, and thallium. Families assume protection while continuing daily exposure to the most dangerous chemicals.

Even when filters work as designed, they protect only one person at a time for drinking water. Meanwhile, family members shower in unfiltered water containing the same 9 contaminants, wash hands dozens of times daily in contaminated water, and brush teeth with direct mucous membrane exposure to chemicals that accumulate in brain and organ tissues.

The cocktail effect creates additional concerns ignored by simple filtration approaches. Multiple contaminants interact unpredictably inside the human body, potentially amplifying toxic effects far beyond individual chemical risks. Vulnerable populations including pregnant women, infants, elderly residents, and immunocompromised individuals face compounded dangers that refrigerator filters cannot address.

Real Ogdensburg Families Share Their Water Treatment Success Stories

Jennifer M. from the Riverside neighborhood discovered her family's water problems when her 8-year-old daughter Emma developed persistent eczema that doctors couldn't explain. "The red, itchy patches covered her arms and legs, getting worse every week despite expensive prescription creams," Jennifer recalls. After researching potential triggers, she learned about chemical absorption through shower water and tested their tap water, shocked to discover the 9 contaminants including carcinogenic chromium-6.

Jennifer contacted SoftPro and spoke with water expert Jeremy, who recommended the Complete Home Protection Package combining the Elite HE softener with the Alkalizing RO system. "Jeremy explained how our moderately hard water was stripping Emma's skin while the chemical contaminants triggered inflammatory responses," she explains. After installation, improvements appeared within the first week—Emma's skin irritation began subsiding, and shower water felt noticeably softer.

Within a month, Emma's eczema had completely cleared, and the family noticed their hair felt silkier and skin stopped feeling tight after bathing. After a full year, Jennifer calculates they've saved over $800 in dermatologist visits, prescription creams, and extra moisturizers, while their water heater efficiency improved dramatically. "The peace of mind knowing Emma isn't absorbing carcinogens during her daily showers is priceless—this system transformed our family's health and our home."

Mark T., a homeowner near Fort de La Présentation, grew frustrated with constantly replacing appliances and battling mineral buildup throughout his 1980s colonial home. "Our dishwasher died after just four years, the washing machine needed expensive repairs twice, and I was descaling the coffee maker monthly," he remembers. When his water heater started making strange noises at only seven years old, Mark realized hard water was costing him thousands in premature replacements.

After speaking with SoftPro expert Heather about his specific hardness levels and contamination concerns, Mark installed the Elite HE softener and was amazed by the immediate transformation. "Within days, dishes came out spotless, laundry felt softer, and soap actually lathered properly," he reports. Six months later, his energy bills dropped $35 monthly due to improved water heater efficiency, and he hasn't needed a single appliance repair. "This system pays for itself—I wish I'd installed it years ago before losing thousands to hard water damage."

Sarah K., whose family lives in a rural area outside downtown Ogdensburg, relied on municipal water but worried constantly about the contamination reports and their infant son's exposure to chemicals during baths. "Reading about trihalomethanes and chromium-6 in our water terrified me—I was bathing my baby in carcinogenic chemicals every night," she explains.

Working with SoftPro's team, Sarah chose the Complete Home Protection Package for comprehensive contamination removal and hardness elimination. "The installation was straightforward, and support was incredible—they walked us through every step," she recalls. Now, Sarah has complete confidence in her water quality, her baby's bath water is pure and soft, and the whole family enjoys luxurious showers without chemical exposure. "Every parent deserves this peace of mind—knowing your children aren't absorbing toxins every time they bathe changes everything about how you feel as a protector."

Strategic Water Treatment Solutions for Ogdensburg Families

Given Ogdensburg's specific water challenges—9 contaminants exceeding health guidelines combined with moderate hardness—families need comprehensive protection addressing both chemical contamination and mineral damage. The detection of carcinogenic trihalomethanes and chromium-6 alongside hardness-related appliance damage demands a dual-system approach providing complete home protection.

For Ogdensburg residents, the optimal solution combines the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener with the SoftPro Alkalizing RO System in the Complete Home Protection Package. This comprehensive defense strategy addresses every aspect of the city's documented water quality problems while providing lifetime value and protection.

The SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener represents next-generation engineering specifically designed for Ogdensburg's moderate hardness range. Its high-efficiency design uses 50% less salt than conventional systems, saving families $100-200 annually in salt purchases while providing superior performance. Smart regeneration technology only activates when needed based on actual water usage, eliminating wasteful timer-based systems that drain salt and water regardless of demand.

The precision hardness removal capability eliminates 100% of calcium and magnesium minerals causing damage throughout Ogdensburg homes. Premium 10% crosslink resin provides maximum mineral removal capacity and longest operational lifespan, while the digital control valve continuously tracks usage patterns and optimizes performance automatically.

Real benefits for Ogdensburg families include immediate protection of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines from further mineral damage, elimination of wasted detergent money through improved soap efficiency, 29% reduction in water heating costs as efficiency improves, transformation of shower and bathing experiences with luxuriously soft water, hundreds in annual savings through appliance protection, and complete elimination of spotty dishes, stiff laundry, and soap scum buildup.

The system features an unmatched lifetime warranty on both tank and valve components, lifetime customer support available seven days a week, expert installation guidance with complete video tutorials, and ROI achievement within 2-4 years followed by decades of pure savings. For families currently losing $930-1,780 annually to hard water damage, the Elite HE pays for itself quickly then generates substantial cost savings forever.

The SoftPro Alkalizing RO System provides the critical contamination protection Ogdensburg families need against detected chemicals. This advanced system removes up to 98% of contaminants including all 9 chemicals found exceeding health guidelines in local water testing. Specific removal capabilities include trihalomethanes at 95-99% elimination, chromium-6 removal to below detectable limits, nitrates and thallium at 95-99% reduction, plus comprehensive protection against pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, microplastics, and emerging contaminants.

The alkalizing advantage sets SoftPro apart from standard RO systems. While conventional reverse osmosis removes contaminants but also beneficial minerals, leaving acidic water at pH 5-6, SoftPro's alkalizing filter restores healthy pH levels to 8-9.5, adds back essential calcium, magnesium, and potassium in bioavailable form, enhances taste and hydration quality, and supports optimal health and energy levels.

Why Ogdensburg families need both systems working together: the softener protects their home, appliances, and skin from ongoing hardness damage while the RO system protects their family's internal health from 9 documented contaminants, providing complete 360-degree protection against all detected threats.

The real-world impact transforms daily life: drinking water contains 98% fewer contaminants than city tap water, bathing occurs in soft, chemical-free water with no trihalomethanes or hardness minerals, children receive protection during critical development years when toxin exposure causes permanent damage, long-term contaminant accumulation in body tissues stops immediately, and family anxiety about water quality disappears completely.

Both systems can be professionally installed or DIY-friendly with complete support from SoftPro's expert team. The package investment achieves ROI within 3-5 years through appliance protection and health benefits, then provides decades of savings and protection for the entire family.

Why SoftPro Stands Above All Competitors

SoftPro Water Systems represents 30 years of American engineering excellence with over 35,000 verified installations nationwide, earning trust through continuous innovation based on real-world performance in homes across every water condition imaginable. Their systems are purpose-built specifically for American water challenges, including exactly the type of contamination and hardness problems documented in Ogdensburg.

The unmatched support infrastructure sets SoftPro apart from every competitor. Expert availability seven days a week means families never face water emergencies alone, with specialists like Jeremy and Heather providing personalized guidance rather than scripted responses. Lifetime phone and email support includes no charges ever for troubleshooting, system optimization, or technical questions.

Their staff averages 12+ years of water treatment experience—true professionals who understand the science behind water chemistry, not sales representatives reading from scripts. Comprehensive installation support includes detailed video guides and phone consultation, ensuring successful installations whether DIY or professional. Proactive maintenance reminders help families optimize system performance and longevity.

SoftPro's Free Water Score technology provides invaluable transparency for Ogdensburg residents. The analysis combines EPA data with CDC health guidelines, analyzes Ogdensburg City's annual water quality reports, compares local results to state and national averages, identifies specific contaminants and hardness levels affecting each household, generates custom sizing recommendations based on family size and usage patterns, and provides honest brand comparisons and guidance—all completely free with no sales pressure and completed in just 2-3 minutes.

Industry-leading warranties demonstrate SoftPro's confidence in their engineering quality. Lifetime tank warranties mean families never replace the core system tank, lifetime valve warranties cover the crucial control system forever, and 10-year component coverage protects all parts far beyond typical 5-year industry standards. While competitors often disappear when warranty issues arise, SoftPro commits to lifetime support for every customer.

Transparent pricing eliminates the high-pressure tactics common in the water treatment industry. No door-to-door salespeople with inflated quotes, no bait-and-switch pricing schemes, no pressure presentations in living rooms—just honest direct pricing and recommendations based on actual water quality data and household needs. DIY-friendly design saves installation costs while financing options accommodate every budget.

Customer verification speaks louder than marketing claims. Over 35,000 reviews across Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot maintain a 4.8/5 star average, while an A+ Better Business Bureau rating confirms ethical business practices. Real customers with real results provide the ultimate proof that SoftPro systems deliver transformative protection for families facing water quality challenges exactly like those documented in Ogdensburg.

Essential Questions Ogdensburg Residents Ask About Their Water

Is Ogdensburg's water really that dangerous? It looks clear and tastes fine...

This represents the most dangerous misconception endangering families throughout Ogdensburg. Clear water absolutely does NOT equal clean or safe water—a fact proven by independent testing revealing 9 contaminants exceeding health advocacy guidelines despite normal appearance and taste.

The documented facts speak for themselves: testing found 9 different chemicals, all exceeding health guidelines recommended by independent organizations, while hardness measures in the moderate range causing ongoing appliance damage. Most critically, dangerous contaminants like chromium-6, trihalomethanes, and thallium are completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless yet accumulate in body tissues over years, causing cancer, neurological damage, and organ failure.

Ogdensburg City provides water meeting EPA legal minimums, but "legal" doesn't always mean "safe." Federal standards haven't been updated for many chemicals in decades, while independent health organizations recommend much stricter limits based on current research about long-term exposure risks, particularly for children and vulnerable populations.

I have a refrigerator water filter. Isn't that enough protection for my family?

This common belief creates the most dangerous false security trap facing Ogdensburg families today. Refrigerator filters and pitchers protect only 0.5-1% of household water used exclusively for drinking—they provide zero protection for the 99% of water used for showering, bathing, handwashing, teeth brushing, cooking, dishwashing, and laundry.

The reality endangering families: every shower exposes them to all 9 detected contaminants through skin absorption, while hot water steam releases vaporized chemicals directly into lungs. Remember the University of Pittsburgh research proving the body absorbs up to 64% of water contaminants through skin during a 10-minute shower—more dangerous than drinking 8 glasses of the same water.

Children face the greatest risk due to thinner, more permeable skin absorbing chemicals up to 40% faster than adults. Their typical 15-20 minute showers become major chemical exposure events, while critical brain development periods make them vulnerable to neurotoxins like thallium and carcinogens like chromium-6.

Point-of-use filters create dangerous complacency while families continue bathing in contaminated water daily. Comprehensive protection requires whole-home treatment for hardness plus point-of-use RO for complete contaminant removal.

How much does a water treatment system cost, and what's the real return on investment?

This intelligent question often surprises families when they discover the true cost of doing nothing. Ogdensburg's moderate hardness currently costs families $930-1,780 annually through premature water heater replacements, appliance repairs, extra detergent purchases, increased energy bills, plumbing repairs, and fixture replacements.

The 10-year reality reveals that inaction costs $9,300-17,800 in preventable damages and expenses, while SoftPro system investment pays for itself within 2-4 years then provides pure savings forever. Net savings over 10 years range from $7,500-15,000 after system investment, creating substantial positive ROI while protecting family health.

Intangible value proves priceless: peace of mind about family health and safety during children's critical development years, elimination of cancer risk from detected carcinogens, quality of life improvements including soft skin and luxurious showers, and increased home value since water treatment systems represent major selling points.

Many families finance their protection for monthly payments less than typical bottled water delivery costs, average monthly hard water damage, or a single family dinner out. The question becomes: "Can we afford NOT to protect our family and home from documented contamination?"

Can I install a SoftPro system myself, or do I need a professional plumber?

SoftPro systems are expertly engineered for homeowner installation with comprehensive support ensuring success. Clear video instructions provide step-by-step guidance, color-coded connections make incorrect installation impossible, standard plumbing fittings are available at any hardware store, and included installation kits contain all necessary connections and parts. Average installation time requires just 2-4 hours for basic plumbing skills.

Installation support includes phone consultation with technicians available seven days a week, video chat options allowing experts to see your setup for personalized guidance, online community access with forums of thousands of successful DIY installers, and comprehensive troubleshooting guides covering any situation.

Professional installation remains an option for complex plumbing configurations, copper pipe soldering, local code requirements, or families preferring professional peace of mind. Most local plumbers are familiar with SoftPro systems and complete installation in 2-3 hours for $200-500.

The advantage: whether DIY or professional installation, SoftPro systems cost 40-60% less than door-to-door companies selling identical technology through high-pressure sales tactics. Families control the process, timeline, and costs while receiving lifetime support regardless of installation method.

Take Action Today: Protect Your Ogdensburg Family Now

Ogdensburg's water reality demands immediate attention: 9 contaminants exceeding health guidelines flow through local taps daily, moderate hardness destroys appliances while costing families up to $1,780 annually, and 11,000+ residents remain unaware of the critical shower and bath exposure risks proven by University of Pittsburgh research.

Every day without comprehensive treatment means continued chemical absorption through skin at the documented 64% rate, ongoing hard water damage accelerating appliance failure, persistent exposure of children during critical development periods, accumulation of carcinogens like chromium-6 in body tissues, and unnecessary spending on bottled water, extra detergents, and premature repairs.

Your immediate action steps: First, get your Free Water Score at SoftPro's calculator by entering Ogdensburg, NY for instant comprehensive analysis revealing exactly what's in your water and receiving custom system recommendations. Second, speak with water quality experts available seven days a week for no-pressure consultation and honest guidance from experienced professionals with real answers to your specific questions. Third, protect your family today by choosing the right system for Ogdensburg's documented water profile, selecting DIY or professional installation, and starting to enjoy pure, soft, safe water immediately with lifetime support and warranties.

Your family's health isn't negotiable. Ogdensburg's water contamination is documented, the solutions are proven, and SoftPro's 35,000+ satisfied customers confirm life-changing results. The only question remaining: How many more days will you let your family shower in water containing chromium-6 and trihalomethanes before taking action?

Get your Free Water Score now. Because clean, soft, safe water isn't a luxury—it's a fundamental right your family deserves.