“Is something wrong with my water?”

Most water contains more than water.
Almost all of the water found in the U.S. is hard water. Hard water is water that is contaminated with dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, lead and limestone – that can have a negative impact on you, your household and your pocketbook. Depending on where you live, contaminants from sewage, industrial waste and agricultural run-off can also seep into your water supply.

Hard water produces scale.
If there are stains or buildup on your sinks and bathtubs … if you have to use large amounts of soap to clean dishes or wash your hair … or if your water tastes or smells odd, you probably have hard water. If left untreated, the minerals in hard water will cause yellow stains on plumbing fixtures and be deposited as scale, eventually clogging plumbing and shortening the life of appliances like washing machines, water heaters and dishwashers. Scale deposits not only cut down on the efficiency of these appliances, they cost you money, increasing both energy and maintenance bills.

Water softeners eliminate the effects of hard water.
They “soften” the water by removing the calcium and magnesium found there, extending the useful life of water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, humidifiers and household plumbing systems by as much as 30%.

Water can be considered a universal solvent. As it passes from liquid to vapor and back again to liquid in its natural cycle, it has a tendency to dissolve everything it touches.

In the air, water vapor can mix with sulfur from smokestacks, forming an acid which will eventually fall back to earth as rain, sleet, hail or snow.

As water passes through the surface of the earth to the water tables below, it dissolves minerals and other substances it may encounter, including PCBs, bacteria, fertilizers and insecticides.

Even after reaching a home, water can continue to dissolve such things as lead from the solder in plumbing pipes.

“Can I actually feel a difference between hard and soft water?”

Soft water makes a difference you can feel and see, all over the house.

In the Bathroom: Your soap and shampoo will lather better.Your hair and skin will feel noticeably cleaner, softer, and not as dry. And there will be no soap scum or mineral deposits to clean off sinks, showers, tubs and toilets.

In the Laundry: Clothes will be softer, cleaner, whiter and brighter. Plus they will last longer. Using soft water and pure soap products increases the life of clothing, towels and linens up to 33%. Without hard water service issues, washing machines last longer, too.

In the Kitchen: Dishes will clean up more easily, and be spot free, without the gray film glasses get when etched by mineral-laden water. Plus hands will feel softer rand look better.

Throughout the House: Water-using appliances will last longer and run better. Why? Because hot water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers used with hard water can wear out 30% faster.

Over time, soft water savings can really add up. For instance, conditioned water not only delivers greater washing power, it reduces the amount of soap you need to use by up to 70%. In fact, the Bureau of Statistics found that between 17 and 20.8 cents of every dollar are spent on cleaning products. Soft water can reduce that bill by up to 65%. It can also eliminate extra rinse cycles and hot water. Plus using less detergent, household cleaners and chemicals is better for the environment.

The bottom line?
Soft water can save you thousands of dollars.