One Call Water

American-Made Systems, Local Service

Photographer / Tony Straw

Married for 19 years, Bryan and Kaitlyn Stout have been working side by side since high school — building businesses together and raising two children, Kaily (6) and Waylon (5). In August of 2024, the couple took on a new venture, stepping into ownership of One Call Water.

The family lives in Millersburg, and like each business they’ve built, their customer-friendly, service-first outlook now guides this company — one they take great pride in.

“We’re the only locally owned water company, and we’re here to stay,” Bryan says.

Their vision is simple: growth through care — serving more households while keeping the personal touch that longtime customers value.

That philosophy extends fully beyond the storefront on State Road 13. While the shop offers equipment displays and bottled water and salt pickup, Bryan can discuss issues and offer possible solutions, but he always wants to see the home and property in person, that way he knows exactly how to address the problem and can provide a fair estimate. He listens carefully, runs tests on-site, and recommends solutions tailored to each family.

“It’s a service call, not a sales call,” he says.

Basic in-home water testing is always free, and for homeowners who want expanded details, One Call can send samples for lab analysis.

Hard water is a reality many people in this region know all too well. As groundwater seeps through layers of limestone and other mineral-rich rock, it absorbs hardness minerals that eventually flow into wells and city lines alike. Those minerals leave behind cloudy film on glasses, shorten the life of dishwashers and washing machines, and make soap less effective.

Bryan addresses this common frustration with American-made Hague systems, including the flagship WaterMax softener. The unit combines fine mesh resin with a built-in whole-house filter, regenerates efficiently, and helps protect plumbing from scale buildup. Hague iron filters tackle rust stains, while sulfur solutions clear up the familiar rotten-egg smell, bringing kitchens and bathrooms back to fresh.

Drinking water is another core focus of One Call Water. Households and businesses that prefer bottled water can choose five-gallon jugs for pickup or delivery, with an after-hours self-service option that regulars appreciate. Offices looking for a streamlined solution often choose a Brio 4-stage RO dispenser, which connects directly to the building’s water line and delivers filtered hot or cold water without juggling bottles.

When families want the highest quality for everyday use, Bryan frequently recommends the Hague H3500 reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis pushes water through multiple filtration stages to reduce contaminants and improve taste, giving families crisp, clean water they enjoy drinking. The unit sits neatly beneath the kitchen sink, connects to its own faucet, and can tie into the refrigerator line for better ice and chilled water. Filters are changed once a year during a scheduled service visit, so upkeep is simple.

Softeners remain at the heart of the business. One Call stocks high-purity salt blends, including formulas designed to fight iron. Customers looking to save can stretch their supply with Iron Out, sprinkled lightly between bags of salt. Deliveries are quick and reliable. In fact, the Stouts have recently added another truck to keep routes smooth and wait times short.

“We try to streamline efficiency,” Bryan adds. “Mike and Margaret Chesnut, the previous owners, did a great job, and there’s a lot of growth potential ahead.”

Training runs just as deep. Every employee — including the front desk team — completes ongoing lessons through Water Quality University, so anyone who answers the phone can discuss hardness levels, iron, sulfur and the equipment that solves them. The company also maintains an emergency line for urgent situations, because water problems don’t wait for business hours.

Bryan takes special pride in his business’s equipment and where it comes from. Hague builds its systems in Groveport, Ohio, a factory Bryan has toured himself.

“We’re not raising our prices because of tariffs,” he says. “It’s made right here.”

For the Stouts, American-made products mean reliability, accountability and fewer challenges such as part replacement that sometimes plagues imported items.

Customer Ethan Yoder shares his experience.

“Bryan and Kaitlyn are the most caring people I know,” he says. “They always put other people’s needs above their own. When I reached out for a new softener, they were quick to get me an affordable price and fit my exact needs. They also made sure I knew all of the features and exactly what I was getting. The install was flawless, and I was back up and running in a couple of hours. I would recommend One Call Water to anybody. They are a hometown family-owned business that cares about you.”

Gary and Kim Sheets also speak highly of their decision to become customers of One Call Water.

“We absolutely love our water softener and drinking water system from One Call Water,” they say. “Bryan and Kaitlyn Stout, along with their entire team, are incredibly professional and dedicated. With our previous provider, we frequently ran out of softener salt, but that’s a thing of the past with One Call Water. They ensure we’re always well-stocked and that our well water remains pristine. Switching to One Call Water was one of the best decisions we’ve made, and we couldn’t be happier with their service.”

The Stouts’ roots in the community run deep. Bryan served for eight years as a reserve police officer in Middlebury, an experience that shaped his calm, steady approach to problem-solving. The couple supports school events, chamber programs, local parades and causes close to home. When hurricanes struck in other states, they helped move water and supplies to families in need. Local ownership means local accountability— and a company that understands the needs of people throughout Syracuse, Wawasee, Goshen, Middlebury, LaGrange, Shipshewana, Culver and the surrounding lake communities.

Through conversations with customers and potential clients, Bryan often hears questions about drinking water. He explains that most refrigerator filters are basic charcoal cartridges — they help, but they’re not designed to handle everything. By connecting reverse osmosis water directly to the fridge, families can enjoy the same purified water at the dispenser and in their ice bins as they do at the sink. The difference shows up in taste, clarity, confidence, and in knowing their water is the safest and healthiest it can be.

Cost is another frequent concern, and Bryan addresses it openly. He is confident that he gives each customer a solid, fair price and works hard to be accommodating, cutting costs wherever possible. Reverse osmosis systems are priced with installation included, and maintenance is bundled into the annual service visit. Families considering a new softener can take advantage of lease-to-own options that apply part of the monthly payment toward ownership. One Call also services nearly every brand, ensuring homeowners can count on consistent support whether they are upgrading or maintaining existing equipment.

In the shop, a cutaway softener shows how resin beads and brine cycles work together to remove hardness minerals. Bryan uses it to explain the difference between iron filters and iron-plus-sulfur setups, helping families see which option best matches their water tests. The display reflects his approach: technical knowledge presented clearly, so homeowners feel informed and confident.

It is certain that the lakes will always draw people for their beauty and recreation. Yet beneath that scenery lies water that can be hard on a home, causing scale on fixtures, shortening the life of appliances, and leaving families somewhat frustrated. One Call Water helps turn those frustrations into relief. Bryan can test any water, whether it comes from a private well or a city supply, and provide solutions that improve taste, clarity and safety.

He offers bottled drinking water, reverse osmosis units, softeners, iron and sulfur filters, and reliable salt delivery services that benefit not only lake homeowners but anyone who wants better water at home.

Ready to find out what’s in your water and how to improve it?

The Stouts would love to help. “We’re here to stay,” Bryan says. So is their commitment to cleaner, healthier water for families across Northern Indiana.

One Call Water is located at 11875 N. State Road 13 in Syracuse. For more information, call 574-457-5006 or visit them online at onecallwater.com.